Background
The SGroup Network has a long-standing tradition of cooperation with universities in Latin America through a number of EU-funded projects implemented in the region and the extensive expertise of its member institutions. Whenever possible, the SGroup seizes the opportunity of intensifying the links with LA universities and take up new activities. In this regards the Think Tank for Latin America is considered as a bottom-up initiative of the SGroup and aims at fostering joint collaborative actions and sharing expertise in this region.
Objectives of the Think Tank Latin America
- To initiate specific collaborative projects
- To encourage the members to propose and participate in joint initiatives, events and activities
- To provide expertise, best practice and resources for joint collaboration
- To identify good practice and expertise as the driving force behind the various events and workshops
- To benefit from relevant national and international funding programmes to develop and sustain joint collaboration
- To develop consulting services on the basis of the organisational expertise
- To support the dissemination and visibility of projects, events and initiatives among among member universities
Structure
With the aim of implementing the collaboration agreement a special structure has been created within the SGroup Network that will enable smooth flow of information and collaboration offers.
Partner institutions of the Think Tank for China
COLLABORATION WITH FAUBAI
In 2016 the SGroup renewed the collaboration agreement with FAUBAI, the non-for profit association of International Relations Offices of the Brazilian universities.
History of SGroup-FAUBAI Collaboration
- 2006-2010 – FAUBAI becomes one of the contact points promoting the AlBan Programme
- 2009 - FAUBAI signs collaboration agreement (valid for 5 years)
- 2010-2012 – FAUBAI one of the Latin America antennas under the Alfa Observatory Project
- 2015 – Joint session of the SGroup and FAUBAI the Annual Meeting of FAUBAI, Cuiaba, April 2015
- 2016 - Renewal of the new collaboration agreement during the Annual Meeting of FAUBAI, Fortaleza, April 2016
Objectives of the collaboration with FAUBAI
- To enhance academic and non-academic mobility among members of both networks on the basis of mutual academic recognition and appreciation
- To encourage joint projects and activities in research, teaching and service
- To facilitate the transfer of knowledge, expertise and good practice
- To promote initiatives that lead to capacity building in HE on both continents
- To expand the network through associate partners
- To encourage mutual visibility
Action Plan 2017
1. Set up of a body of experts on Latin America: launch March 2017
2. Launch of the ICon programme for Latin America: launch April 2017 (FAUBAI Conference)
3. Project participation: screening of relevant calls within Erasmus+ and other funding sources
4. Ensure mutual visibility and dissemination of events
5. Create the c orner for the Think Tank for Latin America on the website of SGroup and FAUBAI (March 2017)
6. Joint session on Annual Conference of FAUBAI (April 2017)
7. Presentation of the SGroup Network at the Catedra Europea, Barranquilla, Colombia
8. Workshop of the Think Tank for Latin America in Porto (October 2017)
For more detailed information about the activities of the Think Tank for LA, member and partner universities can refer to the intranet section.