Collaboration agreements with Brazil, Argentina and Chile

The Norwegian Minister of Higher Education and Research Tora Aasland has signed agreements on research collaboration and higher education with her colleagues in Brazil, Argentina and Chile. The agreements lay the basis for closer collaboration in areas such as climate and polar research. Exchange of researchers and students will also play a central role.

Ms. Aasland is currently visiting South America in order to increase collaboration on higher education and research with Brazil, Argentina and Chile.

Many research institutions in South America have a high international academic standard and, as a result of the economic growth experienced by these countries, education and research are being given high priority.

Research fields of common interest

The Stoltenberg Government emphasizes the importance of  international collaboration and relation building. Norway has previously had only limited scientific collaboration with South America, but developments in several of the countries now make in increase in such activity more appropriate. As regards Brazil, Argentina and Chile, there are a number of research fields of common interest. For example, Chile, like Norway, has a considerable fish farming industry, and extension of the collaboration on aquaculture research may be appropriate. During her visit to Chile, the Minister took part  in the major international aquaculture  trade fair Aqua Sur in Puerto Montt.

Great interest in collaboration

The agreements that have been signed are so-called  “memorandums of understanding” on collaboration. The specific collaboration topics will be clarified in further follow-up between the countries. Areas considered appropriate by Norway are energy research, climate research, polar research, medical research and research into education. An extended collaboration will also help to realize the intentions of the Government’s major focus on conservation of the rain forest.

- I am pleased to note the considerable interest in collaboration with Norway  that I have met in Brazil, Argentina and Chile. The agreements will better enable our education and research institutions to take part in the exciting developments taking place in these countries. I expect that the research collaboration developed will also stimulate the exchange of researchers and students, says Ms. Aasland.

The Minister’s delegation to South America includes representatives from the Research Council of Norway, the Norwegian Association of Higher Education Institutions, universities and research institutions.