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IFRS is establishing and expanding a partnership with Canadian learning institutions. Aiming to create effective international cooperation with CEGEP de Sherbrooke, an institution very similar to the brazilian federal institutes, an institutional mission was carried out in November 2011 in order to become acquainted with the Canadian infrastructure and to present the Brazilian project as well. The goal was to discuss cooperation points between the Brazilian and Canadian projects. Professors Anderson Favero from the Rio Grande Campus and Julia Marques from Bento Gonçalves Campus also participated in the Brazilian delegation, which was coordinated by Rector Claudia Schiedek and Assistant Rector Gina Valent.

The agenda began with a presentation of the Canadian and Brazilian institutions, their characteristics and objectives and the context of local culture. Later on, each campus was introduced as well as a summary of research projects. After that, specific meetings were held, followed by a visit to the CEGEP’s labs and general infrastructure.

The project “Technology Applied to the Environment”, initially submitted to the Porto Alegre Campus in collaboration with Professors André Peres, Simone Kapusta e Telmo Ojeda, was divided into sub-projects. Projects from other professors were also presented to give an overview of the research developed at the campus and also for future cooperation purposes. A list of the projects follows:

• Urban Mobility – Profs Andre Peres e Evandro Miletto
• Characterizing Water Quality Through Wireless Sensors – Prof Simone Kapusta, Prof Magali Rodrigues , Prof André Peres, Prof Evandro Miletto
• Biodegradation, Ecotoxicity and Bioremediation of 
Xenobiotics – Prof Telmo Ojeda
• Biodegradation of Petroleum – Prof Telmo Ojeda
• Ecological Risk Assessment – Prof Karin Tallini, Prof Magali Rodrigues, Prof Simone Kapusta
• Phytotoxic Effects of Ateleia Glazioveana Baill – Prof Márcia Bündchen, Prof Ângelo C.M.Horn, Vivian Bamberg Corassini
• Films, Culture and the World of Work – Prof Cláudia Estima, Prof Jaqueline Donada, Prof Leniza Menda, Prof Renata Severo

In a full time schedule, it was possible to discover the reality of teaching at CEGEP and the high quality of campus infrastructure. Labs equipped with modern devices are available to students in the study programs, in which the students spend the entire day.

The CEGEP campus is composed of several buildings which represent their departments and also offer a student residence in a large and well-structured building that is able to accommodate 225 students from all over the world.

In accordance with the environmental policies, CEGEP’s administration is making large investments to become an environmentally responsible organization by developing sustainable projects. Several actions are being considered at all levels — including reuse of hot water from showers for building heating, transition from gas heating to electricity (which is cheaper and has better cost-benefit analysis), light sensors in all rooms, use of synthetic devices (such as reflector panels), solar energy, reuse of heat generated by air conditioning devices, promotion of initiatives such as carpooling and parking privileges for carpoolers (campus members who share transport and consequently reduce CO2 emissions), partnership with public transport companies, allowing free bus use for CEGEP students, among others.

This big project will have the following results:
– Reducing C0₂ emissions by 2,700 tons per year (corresponding to 985 cars)
– Reducing of energy consumption by 38%
– Annual savings around $ 300,000
– Obtaining the LEED certification

The city of Sherbrooke offers a very pleasant environment for visitors. With more than 155,000 inhabitants, the city has the climate and structure of a big city, despite its very quiet routine. Sherbrooke has two main rivers: the Magog and Saint-François – in addition to several lakes, and has well defined seasons offering a wide range of water sports during the summer. After floods in the Magog River ruined some energy supply companies in the last century, urban planning enabled the development of dams along its course which provided the city with energy self-sufficiency, which is proudly described by its inhabitants.

CEGEP’s Canadian professors were perfect hosts to the Brazilian delegation. During the three-day stay, several activities were planned and precisely carried out, with impeccable organization coordinated by Martin Lambert and Sylvie Breault from CEGEP’s international department. Project presentations, lab and offices visits, and meetings with researchers and directors of CEGEP demonstrated the institution’s seriousness, commitment and interest in carrying out the ongoing cooperative activities.

The projects will continue after this initial stage, with the establishment of specific objectives and viable goals in the short term. The next CEGEP delegation will arrive in June/July 2012. By that time we must prepare ourselves to offer the Canadian delegation the same kind of reception that they offered to the Brazilian delegation when they visited Sherbrooke, and take advantage of the opportunity to further develop the projects.
Presentation slides (.pdf ~ 8MB)