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Further cooperation with renowned Brazilian educational institution

The University of Twente today signed a double degree agreement with ITA, a renowned educational institution in Brazil. On behalf of the university, Geert Dewulf, Dean of the Faculty of Engineering Technology (CTW), signed the agreement in Brazil. This partnership will give Mechanical Engineering students from Twente the opportunity to take Master's degree courses in Brazil and to graduate at companies like Embraer, one of the largest aircraft manufacturers in the world.

Our two institutions know one another very well indeed, and have regularly exchanged students and staff in recent years. The double degree represents the next step in this partnership.

Aviation industry

Instituto Technológica the Aeronáutica (ITA) was founded by the Brazilian Air Force. It is a leading institute of higher education in Brazil. ITA has a strong connection with the aviation industry, and it receives about 8000 applications from new students each year. Following a demanding entrance examination, only 140 of these candidates are admitted. ITA is located in São José dos Campos, where Embraer’s head office and assembly line are also situated. Embraer is one of the largest employers of ITA graduates, and a substantial part of the institute's research work is commissioned by that company.

While studying for their Bachelor’s, Mechanical Engineering students at the University of Twente can explore the field of aeronautical engineering by taking the minor in Aerospace Engineering & Management. This offers the option of completing a Master’s degree in Mechanical Engineering (which specialises in aeronautical engineering) in Brazil.

For Brazilian students, there is an opportunity to complete the final phase of their Master’s degree subjects at the University of Twente’s Faculty of Engineering Technology. This involves the specializations of Thermal and Fluid Engineering (Acoustics, Fluid Mechanics, Transport Phenomena), Mechanics of Solids, Surfaces & Systems (Materials and Manufacturing, Thermoplastic & Composites, Solids & Surfaces) and Maintenance.

Ultimately, students who participate in the double degree programme receive degree certificates from both institutions.

Opportunity for ITA

Professor Fernando Toshinori Sakane signed the agreement on behalf of ITA. He is pleased with the cooperation. "In its effort to increase international cooperation, ITA is seeking partners that are innovative and focused on technology and education. The University of Twente is one of such partners and we are very pleased with this opportunity."

Contact person: Jelle Ferwerda, coordinator International Affairs, Faculty of Engineering Technology, University of Twente. Tel:  +31 53 489 3398