The Vice Rector of the University of Campinas (UNICAMP, Brazil), Prof. Crosta and the Rector Magnificus of Delft University of Technology (TU Delft, The Netherlands), Prof. Luyben agreed to intensify their collaboration in doctorate programs by aiming for 25 Double Degree PhD theses by 2020.

“Brazil will play a very important role in the transition to a sustainable biobased economy. To achieve that we need well trained academics. International collaboration with joint courses in English, new education tools and exchange opportunities offer tremendous additional value for Unicamp, TU Delft and especially our students” says Prof. Cortez, vice president of international affairs of Unicamp. The double degree PhD program will amongst others be linked to the PhD Bioenergy program, in which UNICAMP participates with USP and UNESP. The collaboration with TU Delft will involve joint supervision and provides access to industrial placements for the compulsory foreign experience of the PhD students. Prof. Andreas Gombert, UNICAMP coordinator of the PhD Bioenergy program: “The double PhD-degree will help in solidifying existing and stimulating new collaborations between UNICAMP and TU Delft researchers, as well as the Brazilian and Dutch research communities, in educating highly skilled people in this strategic area of bioenergy”.

The present intensified collaboration between the universities builds on a longstanding relation, with the first joint activities in 1999. It follows the second Memorandum of Understanding between Delft and UNICAMP, which was signed in November 2012. In July 2013 TU Delft opened an office at NIPE-UNICAMP to facilitate the ambitious activity plan.

Prof. Luuk van der Wielen, distinguished professor Biobased Economy at TU Delft: “A double degree is a prestigious program for excellent students. A sustainable biobased economy needs many high level academics with knowledge on design, economics and sustainability and an understanding of agricultural production. For innovation they also need to have an understanding of business development”. The joint activity plan of UNICAMP and TU Delft aims to provide a platform for extending the collaboration between TU Delft and UNICAMP by educating excellent students.

More information:
UNICAMP: Prof. Luis Cortez
TU Delft Brazil: Ernst Jan Bakker
TU Delft: Prof. Patricia Osseweijer