Thrust Areas Ecosystem Water Institute Classification Level
Water, Land Use and Ecosystems Water and Climate Water and Society Water Resources Sustainability Springs Wetlands Watersheds Aquifers Lakes Coastal Zone  Water Institute Classification 1  Water Institute Classification 2  Water Institute Classification 3  Water Institute Classification 4
     

Water Resources and Watershed Managment in the U.S. and Brazil
Goals and Objectives
 
U.S.-Brazil Higher Education Education Consortia Program. Directed by Virginia Polytechnic Institute. The goal of this project is to provide undergraduate water resources engineering students with new perspectives and experiences in sustainable water resources and watershed management to equip them to function more effectively, creatively, and globally in their careers. The program incorporates semester-long bilateral student exchanges between the US partners and Brazilian institutions: Federal University of Espirito Santo and Federal University of Santa Maria, with the goal of exchanging 8 students at each institution. We also have developed a collaborative “July Term” course that provides an integrated learning environment for 12 US and 12 Brazilian students and incorporates our third Brazilian partner, the Federal Institute of Espirito Santo. The six-credit July course “Water resources and watershed management in the U.S. and Brazil” is taught in Brazil.

Faculty partners from all five consortia members visited each of the campuses in the first year, meeting with administrators, faculty, and students. While most partners were new to each other, our annual consortium meetings forged a strong collaborative team and we have been successful in drawing in other faculty into the partnership. Memoranda of Understanding (MOU) and specific Student Exchange Agreements have been executed between partner universities ensuring reciprocal waiving of student fees and recognition of credit. Pertinent courses at each university have been identified and equivalency established.

See Program Description

 
 
Project Lead
Munoz-Carpena, Rafael
 
Project Participants
Munoz-Carpena, Rafael
 
 
EcoSystem:
Watersheds
 
WIClassLevel: 
Level 1: WI Affiliated Faculty Project
 
ThrustArea: 
Water Resources Sustainability
Water, Land Use and Ecosystems
 
Sponsor
VIRGINIA POLYTECHNIC INST
 
Grant Award Dates
8/1/2008 to 7/31/2013