TWENTY of Brazil’s best teachers have arrived in Ireland to undertake a one-year programme at Mary Immaculate College (MIC), Limerick.
The teachers have been selected by the Brazilian Government Scholarship Agency, CAPES, under a new three-year joint scholarship scheme, which is part of a multi-million euro contract signed between MIC and CAPES aimed at further developing the educational links between Ireland and Brazil.
As they settled into their new lives in Limerick, the teachers rounded off their first week in the city with a visit to the Mayor of Limerick, Cllr Michael Sheahan who welcomed them saying, “I am honoured and thrilled to host a welcome to Limerick city and county for this group of Brazilian teachers.
The group arrived in Ireland earlier this week and will study for a Graduate Diploma in Mentoring and Leadership at Mary Immaculate College (MIC) during the upcoming academic year.
The group are among the top teachers in Brazil and are studying at MIC through a scholarship provided by the Government of Brazil. This is the first of year of a three year scholarship programme between MIC and CAPES that will further develop the educational links between Ireland and Brazil.
Pic. Brian Arthur
“As a graduate of Mary Immaculate College, it is a special occasion for me to welcome teachers from Brazil. I hope they will return with warm memories of Limerick to Brazil.”
Upon meeting the Mayor, the students expressed their delight at beginning a year of study at MIC Limerick, and the impact that this scholarship will have on their teaching careers.
Mariangela Viola Salles Schmidt Patto from Camboriú in the southern state of Santa Catarina said, “I feel very honoured to have this opportunity to be here in Limerick and to study at MIC. This is a unique opportunity to enhance my knowledge. I feel very welcomed by the teachers and the city. I’m sure I will have a wonderful time here.”
Janaína Alves de Andrade, who hails from Fortaleza in the northeastern state of Ceará, continued by saying, “We can change lives through education. I wish to share what I learn here with as many people as I can. That’s why I want to learn more about leadership and become better in what I do.I’m really glad to be in a very cosy city with kind people and beautiful landscapes. It feels like home to me.”
The group are among the top teachers in Brazil who were awarded scholarships following a nationwide competition that recognised their individual contributions to their schools.
Hailing from all corners of Brazil, the winning teachers have received a fully-funded scholarship that includes programme tuition, accommodation, flights and a living allowance of €400 per month. They will engage in five weeks of intensive English language classes at MIC, followed by a specially-designed postgraduate programme with modules on mentoring, school leadership and global perspectives on education.
The year-long Graduate Diploma in Mentoring and Leadership in Education (International) will offer the participating teachers the opportunity to further develop their teaching skills and will have a huge impact on their teaching careers and, in turn, benefit many students in the Brazilian school system.
