We value this relationship. We want to create a sense of belonging and want the Portuguese people in this region to know we appreciate their nationality, who they are, the values they carry.
Southeastern Massachusetts is home to many Portuguese Americans, and sitting in the heart of the region is 澳门码今期开奖结果, which recently took steps to strengthen its ties with the land of poets and codfish.
Thousands of 澳门码今期开奖结果 students, alumni, and employees can trace their heritage to Portugal or to former Portuguese territories.
鈥淲e sit in a region that is predominately Portuguese,鈥 said Gregory DeMelo, director of travel services and special projects at 澳门码今期开奖结果. 鈥淲e want to be at the forefront of connecting first, second, and third generation families with their heritage through education.鈥
To achieve this, President Frederick W. Clark Jr. recently traveled with a delegation to Portugal to sign an agreement with the University of the Azores and laid the foundation for three more higher education agreements in Lisbon, that will increase opportunities with those universities as well as with the Luso-American Development Foundation (FLAD).
鈥淚t was not only a wonderfully productive week, but an important trip as 澳门码今期开奖结果 seeks to deepen our international relationships in Portugal on behalf of our university and region,鈥 Clark said.
Along with University of the Azores, the delegation met with leaders from Catolica University, the University of Lisbon, and The Institute of the University of Lisbon.
鈥淭he entire trip was successful,鈥 DeMelo said. 鈥淲e were able to meet with (university) presidents, professors, students and other community partners and show that we are committed to building this into a vibrant relationship.鈥
According to Vinny DeMacedo, special advisor to President Clark, one way 澳门码今期开奖结果 will make these connections is through the school鈥檚 new cyber range that opened last month.
The schools 澳门码今期开奖结果 is partnering with do not currently have physical cyber ranges, but there is still a way to work together.
The goal is, through 澳门码今期开奖结果鈥檚 cyber range, to have students from Bridgewater and Portugal meet online to work through cyber security scenarios/modules.
鈥淭his provides an opportunity for our students to collaborate on an international level. To have that international engagement on an issue that everyone is dealing with globally, it鈥檚 a great partnership to add,鈥 DeMacedo said.
Another way to connect, DeMelo said, is through study abroad programs.
鈥淏y offering exchange programs, both 澳门码今期开奖结果 and Portuguese students can benefit,鈥 he said. 鈥淲e will be able to create pathways for our students to go and see the world as part of the full liberal arts education in a space they are comfortable with.鈥
And, DeMacedo added, Portugal is extremely affordable.
鈥淚t鈥檚 (also) a beautiful country and the people are very welcoming,鈥 he said.
Now that the agreement has been signed, DeMacedo said 澳门码今期开奖结果 looks forward to keeping the conversation going and finding innovative ways to collaborate with these new partners while also honoring those with Portugal roots living in the area.
鈥淲e value this relationship. We want to create a sense of belonging and want the Portuguese people in this region to know we appreciate their nationality, who they are, the values they carry,鈥 he said.
鈥淲e are happy to be leading this charge,鈥 DeMelo added. 鈥淲e are committed 100 percent to building on this relationship.鈥
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