Federal University of Espírito Santo (UFES), São Paulo State University (UNESP) and Federal University of ABC (UFABS) opened their doors for Dmitry Lisin, Ivan Berman and Evgeny Leverinov, students of Chair of Computer Science and Control Systems, who came to Brazil under the leadership of Alexander Kapitonov, assistant of the Chair.
“First of all we planned to negotiate student exchange programs. That is why we discussed which robotics trainings we could offer to each other. We are going to involve our Brazilian colleagues into the courses based on “Open University” online platform as well as "Introduction to Robot Operating System" training course. Brazil students are interested in these projects. They are also going to offer some special courses for Russians,” shared Mr. Kapitonov.
On the first day Russian students visited a center for machine vision. They came to the point that both ITMO University experts and Brazil specialists focused on development of manipulating devices, quadcopters and mobile robots as well as used the same equipment.
According to Alexander Kapitonov, Russian and Brazilian students plan to initiate international teams so as to take part in large robotics contests such as RoboCup and LARC as well as provide joint research activities.
“Russian students are oriented towards World Robot Olympiad (WRO) while students from Brazil take part in such American contests as First Lego League and First Tech Challenge. Their rules, standards of judgment and ideology differ from each other…We use different approaches and strategies. It`s an advantage, which gives us an opportunity to exchange experience and knowledge in various fields,” said Mr. Kapitonov.
ITMO University`s representatives met with officials of Federal University of Espírito Santo. Thus Brazilian party was ready to sign a memorandum of cooperation between Brazilian University and ITMO University. International colleagues plan to discuss cooperation areas, exchange programs for students and professors and joint research activities such as writing of scientific articles and participation in international contests. Both universities aim to internationalize their education programs by attracting students from all over the world, developing disciplines taught in English and increasing their competitiveness. Currently collaboration with universities of Latin-American countries is one of focal areas of ITMO University`s development.