International

(L-R) Don O’Neill, Daniela Oliveira Guerra, Solange Escosteguy Cardoso, Brazilian Ambassador HE Alfonso José Sena Cardosa,Dr Ruaidhrí Neavyn and Dr Ken Thomas

The Ambassador’s visit coincided with WIT’s ‘Brazilian Day’, a celebration of Brazilian culture on campus.

The newly appointed Brazilian Ambassador HE Alfonso José Sena Cardosa received a very warm welcome from staff and students at Waterford Institute of Technology (WIT) when he visited the main campus last Wednesday. The Ambassador’s visit coincided with WIT’s ‘Brazilian Day’, a celebration of Brazilian culture on campus.

Following a morning of meetings with WIT staff and invited guests from the Higher Education Authority and the Institutes of Technology Ireland, the Ambassador gave an address to the 180 Brazilian students currently studying at WIT. In his address, he spoke of the wonderful opportunity that studying at WIT represented for so many Brazilian students in so many academic programmes. He gave particular mention to the importance for Brazil in building networks abroad and how the current cohort of Brazilian students would always carry a special place in their hearts for Ireland, and in particular for  Waterford, as they move on in their lives.      
                      
In the afternoon, the Ambassador launched a ‘Carnaval’, which was a colourful celebration of all things Brazilian. Samba dancers appeared, a live band performed samba, balloons tumbled from the ceiling, cultural displays were on view, and everyone partied!

Mr Don O’Neill of WIT’s International Office said “The day was a resounding success, and gave a real flavour of the great and diverse country that is Brazil. Our Brazilian students make a very positive contribution to the academic, social and sporting life on campus. They have endeared themselves to all and have integrated very well with other students on campus, including the international students - who come from over 70 different countries”.

WIT prides itself on being the number one choice of higher education institution in Ireland among Brazilian students. The majority of these students are on the Brazilian Government Scholarship Programme ‘Science without Borders’ (Ciência sem Fronteiras), which provides funding for approximately 1,200 students to study in Ireland. The students are studying engineering, science and technology at undergraduate and PhD levels.