ITC Visits UDESC to Advance Collaboration and Opportunities for local Students at ITC
The growing partnership between the University of Twente’s Faculty ITC and the University of the State of Santa Catarina (UDESC) reached another important milestone with a recent visit by Flavia Carvalho de Souza, Project Officer at ITC. Building on a sequence of exchanges, delegation visits, and the signing of the Memorandum of Understanding, this visit further consolidated the collaboration. It opened new pathways for academic mobility and joint initiatives.
Warm Welcome and Strategic Dialogue with Prof. Francisco Oliveira
Flavia was welcomed at UDESC by Prof. Dr. Francisco Henrique de Oliveira, coordinator of GeoLab (Laboratory of Geoprocessing) and long‑standing partner in the ITC–UDESC collaboration. Their meeting focused on:
- Reviewing progress since the MoU signing, including ongoing research discussions and mobility initiatives.
- Identifying new thematic areas for joint work, particularly in land governance, climate resilience, digital innovation and urban planning.
- Planning next steps for strengthening the institutional partnership through coordinated activities between GeoLab and ITC.
The conversation reaffirmed the shared commitment to transforming the collaboration into long‑term, impactful initiatives that benefit both institutions and their wider communities.
Visit to the Office of Institutional and International Affairs
As part of her programme, Flavia visited UDESC’s Office of Institutional and International Affairs, where Júlia Vieira Rodrigues, Head of the Office, welcomed her. The meeting provided an opportunity to:
- Discuss administrative and strategic frameworks that support international cooperation.
- Explore mechanisms to facilitate student and staff mobility, including exchange agreements and scholarship opportunities.
- Align institutional priorities to ensure smooth implementation of the MoU.
Flavia Carvalho de Souza visiting the Office of Institutional and International Affairs, with Matheus Rodrigues dos Santos, Head of International Agreements, Júlia Vieira Rodrigues, Head of the Office, and Prof. Dr. Francisco Henrique de Oliveira
The exchange highlighted UDESC’s strong commitment to expanding international partnerships and ensuring that students and researchers can benefit from global learning experiences, with ITC as a key international partner institution.
Presentation on Study Opportunities at ITC
A key moment of the visit was Flavia’s presentation to UDESC students and staff about opportunities to study at ITC. The session covered:
- Master’s and PhD programmes in geo‑information science and earth observation.
- Short courses and continuing education options are aligned with UDESC’s areas of interest.
- Mobility pathways, including exchange possibilities and research stays.
- Examples of successful collaborations, such as recent UDESC visiting researchers hosted at ITC.
Students and staff attending the presentation
The presentation sparked enthusiastic engagement from students, many of whom expressed interest in pursuing international study experiences in Enschede.
Looking Ahead
Flavia’s visit to UDESC marks a new achievement in a fast-growing partnership that has evolved from initial conversations into a structured, multi-themed collaboration. Backed by strong institutional support on both sides, the partnership is now well positioned to expand academic mobility, jointly develop research proposals, and strengthen cooperation between GeoLab, the Postgraduate Program in Territorial Planning and Socio-Environmental Development (PPGPLAN), and ITC.
As the next activities move forward, both institutions remain committed to building a dynamic academic bridge between Santa Catarina and Enschede—one that promotes innovation, capacity building, and mutual learning for years to come.
You can find more information about the UDESC-ITC collaboration on the UDESC page (in Portguese).
