For Immediate Release: August 31, 2012
Contact: Mary Trupo (202) 482-3809
Obama Trade Official, U.S. Delegation Launch Education Services Mission in Brazil
Largest Education-Focused Trade Mission to Promote International Education Opportunities
BRASILIA, BRAZIL – Under Secretary of Commerce for International Trade Francisco Sánchez and representatives from 66 U.S. colleges and universities launched the Department of Commerce’s largest education services trade mission ever today in Brasilia. The U.S. delegation is looking to expand the educational opportunities for Brazilian students wishing to study abroad.
“I’m proud to be leading these 66 distinguished colleges and universities to Brasilia and providing them an opportunity to introduce their programs to Brazilian students looking to further their studies abroad. These representatives from some of America’s finest higher learning institutions are eager to promote a greater understanding between our cultures, and generate mutual economic benefits for both our countries through education.”
Education and training rank among the top 10 U.S. services exports. Tuition and living expenses from international students and their families brought in nearly $21 billion to the U.S. economy during the 2010-2011 academic year. There are more than 8,700 Brazilian students currently pursuing higher education in the United States.
This mission supports Brazilian President Dilma Rousseff goal to have 101,000 Brazilians studying overseas at both the undergraduate and graduate level for at least one year at the best science and technology programs by the end of 2015.
The mission continues to São Paulo and Rio de Janeiro. This trade mission advances President Obama’s National Export Initiative which aims to double U.S. exports by the end of 2014, supporting economic and job growth.
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