Tiffany Frandsen | News Editor | @tiffany_mf
Photo Credit: UVU Woodbury Business School
Rusty Butler, associate vice president of international affairs at Utah Valley University and Christian Olinquevitch, executive vice president of Instituto Nacional de Pós-Graduação (INPG) Business School in Brazil signed an academic agreement that will allow programs and exchanges of faculty and students between INPG and the UVU Woodbury School of Business. The agreement was signed in Sao Paulo on Nov. 5.
Student and faculty will be able to transfer between the two business schools for short- and medium-term visits. Students will participate in seminars, academic meetings, and learn how to adapt business plans to an international market. The exchanges will offer the opportunity to immerse in the Brazilian culture and learn Portuguese.
“I believe this academic partnership will benefit both UVU and Utah, as well as the regions where INPG Business School is present in Brazil,” said Olinquevitch. “The impact of students having global experience and networking within a UVU-INPG partnership opens a door of opportunity for both sides.”
INPG Business School has more than 25,000 alumni and has the largest number of MBA programs in Brazil. There are branches of the school in 10 different cities throughout Brazil, including multiple in Sao Paulo and Santa Catarina.
“Brazil is one of the most important business forces in South America and deserves our attention,” said Norman Wright, dean of the Woodbury School of Business. “With many students at UVU having Portuguese language skills, this is a natural partnership for the Woodbury School of Business.”
Utah Gov. Gary Herbert, Azul Brazilian Airlines founder and CEO David Neeleman, Governor’s Office of Economic Development Director Val Hale and other business, academic and government leaders from Utah joined Butler at Azul’s headquarters in Brazil for the signing ceremony. Gov. Herbert and the delegation were in Brazil on a multi-city mission to help Utah businesses expand in Brazil, promote the Mighty Five national parks and encourage travel to Utah.
