merrion street

Education Minister Ruairi Quinn will today lead a major Enterprise Ireland education and technology mission that includes 30 companies and education institutions to Brazil.

The 6 day mission, will coincide with a major higher education fair in Sao Paulo and Futurecom, the largest Telecommunications, Information Technology and Internet event in Latin America. During that time Irish companies and Education Institutions will be working to increase Irish exports and deepen business and education links between Ireland and Brazil.

Speaking in advance of the visit, Minister Quinn said:

This market offers tremendous potential for Irish businesses. On the education front, Ireland has the opportunity to develop an unprecedented relationship with one of the world’s leading economies through the Science without Borders programme. This year more than 1,200 Brazilian students have come to study at Irish Higher Education Institutes as part of this scholarship scheme funded by the Brazilian government. Already this is significantly impacting on the Irish economy and could be worth up to €100 million over the coming five years.

This trade mission now gives our Higher Education Institutes the chance to increase these numbers further. Likewise, for the participating technology companies, the mission is about cementing and building on existing business links and opening new doors for increased export business and collaborative business ventures.

The Minister’s schedule during the visit includes a series of meetings with the Brazilian Minister for Education, Aloízio Mercadante, the Science Without Borders funding agencies, meetings with Irish companies and their Brazilian partners and customers, and a range of events to promote Irish education and business.