On May, 2014, Luiz de Queiroz College of Agriculture (USP/ESALQ) signed a cooperation agreement with The University of Florida Board of Trustees, located in Gainesville, Florida, USA, specifically with the College of Agricultural and Life Sciences (CALS).
“This agreement is intended to implement student exchange among both universities on an ongoing basis in accordance with the laws, rules and regulations of each institution, its governing bodies, as well as state and national agencies,” said Carlos Guilherme Silveira Pedreira, professor of the Animal Science Department who will coordinate the agreement activities at ESALQ. He also said that all areas related to agriculture will benefit from this relationship. “The College of Agricultural and Life Sciences (CALS) at the University of Florida offers 25 undergraduate programs - and 22 graduate programs, among which we highlight the research fields related to broad tropical agriculture, including pastures, citrus production, tropical entomology and nematology,” he adds.
Under the agreement, the exchange of up to three students per academic year is expected. Students must attend an academic term at the host institution, with a possibility of extending it to two terms, which requires approval in advance.
According to the document signed by representatives of both schools, the home institution shall identify and select candidates for the exchange program. Nominations of applicants for the Summer Period close on February 1st; for the Autumn Period, they close on May 1st; for the Spring Period, on October 1st. Each nomination list shall include a replacement list in order of priority containing candidates eligible to replace nominated candidates who are unable to participate in the exchange program. The host institution reserves the right to determine the final admission eligibility of each student nominated to the exchange program. Final acceptance will depend mainly on the nominations made by the home institution.
As to the admission eligibility rules, the applicant must show proof of language proficiency as required by the host institution. ESALQ students must have demonstrated proficiency in English communication skills. ESALQ students may enroll in any of the courses offered by CALS as a regularly enrolled, special or non-degree seeking student. The courses are offered for undergraduate, graduate or professional program students, according to the host institution regulations. Moreover, successful completion of at least one full year of academic work by the applicant in their home institution is required by the beginning of the exchange period. After one full year of academic work at the host institution, students participating in the exchange must return to their country of origin.
The agreement between ESALQ and the University of Florida will remain active for five years from the date of the last signature, May 8th, 2014. For further information, go to www.esalq.usp.br/svaint.
