The International Relations Office is proud to announce that the University of Bath has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Federal University of São Carlos to exchange researchers and collaborate on green chemistry, solar energy harvesting, and materials research. The research focus is interdisciplinary and the collaboration will benefit a wide range of departments across the Faculty of Science and the Faculty of Engineering and Design via existing collaboration links within the Institute for Sustainability (IFS) formerly the Centre for Sustainable and Circular Technologies (CSCT).

Led by Professor Frank Marken, a professor in the Department of Chemistry, the collaboration between both universities will facilitate access to new CAPES/PrInt funding from the Brazilian Ministry of Education and support the exchange of researchers between both institutions. CAPES/PrInt is a a program encouraging student exchanges with international research institutions between São Carlos and other research organisations in Brazil and fosters the internationalisation of academic programs. The exchange of researchers and the joint publications generated under this agreement will enhance Bath's visibility in the region and enable long-term links and funding opportunities between Bath and São Carlos, but also between Bath and other research organisations in Brazil.

This new agreement follows the recent MoU renewal with the University of São Paulo, one of Bath's longstanding Brazilian partners.

Professor Marken commented the new partnership:

The exchange of researchers will contribute to international visibility and have a long-term impact on linking UK and Brazil scientists. The project will help educate students and explore new ways to use solar energy replacing fossil fuels.

The University of Bath is proud to formalise a collaboration with the Federal University of São Carlos and looks forward to seeing the successes of this partnership.