Texas Tech Chosen to Participate in Federal Trade Mission to Brazil

On Aug. 30 (Thursday), Texas Tech University will send Maryann Greenberg, lead advisor for international student development, on a week-long trip to Brasilia, Sao Paulo and Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. The trip is part of an education trade mission with the U.S. Department of Commerce to showcase higher education opportunities for students from the U.S. and Brazil. Texas Tech is one of 66 partner universities.

Greenberg will participate in a series of college fairs and school visits with the U.S. Department of State’s Education USA Advising Centers. The mission includes education sector briefings and a student fair at each of the three stops, with additional matchmaking and networking sessions with local schools and faculty.

Greenberg also will visit schools with TTUISD partnerships, which provide opportunities for high school students to receive a TTUISD diploma in addition to their Brazilian high school diploma. Along with Under Secretary of Commerce for International Trade Francisco J. Sánchez, Greenberg will make a special visit to Colegio Franciscano Pio XII to discuss Texas Tech and TTUISD.

“Texas Tech has a unique position because of Texas Tech University high schools in Brazil,” Greenberg said. “Along with the TTUISD program, Texas Tech also provides study abroad opportunities to Texas Tech students and attracts Brazilian students to our undergraduate and graduate degree programs.”

As part of the trip, Greenberg will provide information and resources to families who are interested in sending students to Texas Tech after they have received a TTUISD diploma.

According to the International Trade Administration, Brazil ranks 14th among countries sending students to the United States and total tuition and fees generated by these students exceeds $257 million. According to Greenberg, Texas Tech seeks to benefit through its science and technology programs.

In 2011, the Brazilian government launched an effort to increase its workforce in the science and engineering fields, with a goal to have 100,000 Brazilians studying overseas for at least one year at leading science and technology programs by the end of 2015.

“Texas Tech offers so many opportunities to students from Brazil, especially in areas such as renewable energy, bioengineering, and other science and technology programs,” Greenberg said. “The state of Texas is also a huge draw due to the number of Fortune 500 companies that can offer internships and cooperatives to students.”

The education services trade mission seeks to advance President Obama’s National Export Initiative, which aims to double U.S. exports by the end of 2014, supporting economic and job growth. Greenberg also points out that attracting a strong partnership with Brazilian universities will help to diversify Texas Tech.

“We have the goal to globalize our campus,” Greenberg said. “Students who have a global outlook are going to be more competitive in the market place.”