University of Birmingham engagement with Brazil wins Outstanding International Strategy award

The University of Birmingham has won the Outstanding International Strategy Award in the 2014 Times Higher Education Leadership and Management Awards (THELMAs). The award honours Birmingham’s bold approach to secure its position in Brazil as the UK higher education institute (HEI) partner of choice.THELMAs 2014.

Working with key stakeholders including government agencies, leading research institutions, HEIs and industry, Birmingham has developed flourishing partnerships that have led to enhanced grant capture, increased joint publications, increased student enrolments and plans to enhance education collaboration and mobility. Partners in Brazil particularly welcomed Birmingham’s investment of £2 million over three years as a sign of the University’s long-term commitment to Brazil.Over the past academic year, the University of Birmingham has collaborated with all of the top 10 universities in Brazil and 17 of the top 20. This process has engaged more than 70 academics from Birmingham, with 224 jointly authored papers produced in 2012; a threefold increase from 2011. Elsewhere, there has been a 30% increase in media coverage on the 2011-12 figures in Brazil and Brazilian student numbers have increased, with Birmingham being placed in the top 10 UK destinations for Science without Borders scholars.

Peter Clack, Director of International Relations, said: "We were delighted to receive the THELMA award for outstanding international strategy for our work in Brazil. Over the past four years Birmingham has developed a distinct engagement strategy with Brazil that has helped to position us as a UK partner of choice with government, HEIs and industry."

Read more on the main University website.