Federal University of Lavras in Brazil planted UniversiTREE - 20 June 2018
Federal University of Lavras (Brazil) celebrates the 100th anniversary of Wageningen University & Research. Teachers and students of the Federal University of Lavras (UFLA) have planted a seedling of Brazilwood (Paubrasilia echinata) on Wednesday morning June 20th 2018, to commemorate the 100th anniversary of WUR.
The academic cooperation between the two institutions has been going on for more than 25 years. It was one of the first international partnerships of UFLA and one of the most enduring. All this relationship began with Professor José da Cruz Machado, Department of Phytopathology, after completing his postdoctoral degree at WUR.
Since then, more than 50 UFLA professors and students have had the opportunity to study and conduct research at the University of Wageningen. "This planting demonstrates our recognition for that institution that has welcomed us so well in a period of our lives", commented Professor Jose Marcio Rocha Faria, Department of Forest Sciences, responsible for the action. Professor Jose Faria held his PhD at WUR from 2001 to 2004.
In addition, UFLA has already received more than 15 students from WUR. "We had two WUR students who came to stay with us for a short time, but they liked it so much that they decided to extend the period, and today they are finishing their PhD in the Graduate Program in Microbiology ", commented the Director of the International Affairs at UFLA, professor Antonio Chalfun Junior, who also held his PhD at WUR.
The planting was carried out by Professor Jose Faria, who highlighted the pleasant experience he had at Wageningen University for four years. "As one of my thesis propositions I wrote that in my next incarnation I wish to be born in the Netherlands". And finished saying that "Being there was a unique experience. Now, we can always remember those moments as we see this tree growing".
