Exchange Program in China Brings Together Research, Culture, and New Connections
The first week of the exchange program in China has already given IMPA students a taste of what they will experience over the next month. Through mini-courses, research activities, interactions with Chinese students, and cultural discoveries, the Institute’s doctoral students are making the most of the experience offered by the Brazil-China Program for Leaders in Scientific and Technological Innovation.
The group of 15 doctoral students is participating in academic activities at Beihang University, focusing on mathematics and artificial intelligence. In addition to their academic routine, the exchange program has already provided them with direct exposure to a different culture and new ways of approaching scientific research.
“Academically, it’s been great. I’m part of a research group led by a professor who’s very committed to helping students get the most out of the experience. Interactions with other students have been quite interesting. Since everyone has a different academic background, we have the chance to introduce each other to different research topics and end up discovering new shared interests together,” said Ph.D. candidate João Paulo Ferreira.
Outside the classroom, Ferreira has been enjoying the warm welcome he has received and the discoveries he makes every day. The cities’ infrastructure, the cuisine, and the hospitality of the Chinese people have caught the group’s attention, and they are taking every opportunity to learn more about the country.
Ph.D. candidate Mayumi Shiguihara points out that her stay on the other side of the world has been an opportunity to broaden her horizons and experience a culture full of contrasts. “There are several things similar to Brazil, such as how welcoming the people are, but on the other hand, I’m constantly encountering cultural nuances that challenge my assumptions. The food is delicious: if I try to guess what it is based on what I know, I often end up getting it wrong. I feel a bit like I’m moving from finite-dimensional to infinite-dimensional vector spaces—it’s been a great exercise.”
Among the activities that most pique the doctoral student’s interest is a mini-course on Dynamic Systems and Artificial Intelligence, which broadens participants’ exposure to new lines of research and fosters dialogue among different fields of knowledge.
Accompanying the group is IMPA project scientist Francisco Ganacim, who highlights the warm welcome from the Chinese university and the country’s commitment to education and science. “What impressed me most was the infrastructure of the cities and the university. You can tell that a lot of money has been invested and that they are deeply committed to public education. Furthermore, we were very warmly welcomed. They are going out of their way to show that they value our presence here.”
Over the next few weeks, the students will continue to participate in group research projects, mini-courses, and cultural activities, strengthening their ties with Chinese researchers and broadening their academic education. The exchange program represents another step in IMPA’s internationalization strategy and in building partnerships that bring young Brazilian talent closer to one of the world’s leading scientific and technological hubs.