The Central University of Venezuela has expressed a desire to establish a cooperation protocol with the University of Madeira. Vice-rector Fátima Garcês, of Madeiran descent, received the Mayor of Ribeira Brava, Jorge Santos, and highlighted the potential for future collaborations.
The aim is to promote student exchange and the development of joint research projects. Although the Venezuelan university already has agreements with European institutions, a partnership with Portugal does not yet exist. The initiative seeks to identify compatible areas between the educational offerings of both institutions.
During the visit, challenges faced by the Venezuelan university were also discussed, including a lack of funding and a reduction in teaching staff, which has fallen from approximately eight thousand to 3,800 professionals over 15 years.
