Birmingham professor 'honoured' to receive award from Brazilian Government
The Brazilian Government has given a prestigious award to a professor from the University of Birmingham, for his "outstanding contribution" to championing academic co-operation between Brazil and the UK.
Professor Robin Mason, the pro-vice-chancellor (international) at the university, has received the Order of Rio Branco, Officer Class - an honour which was born in 1963 and marks meritorious service and civic virtues.
It was named after José Maria da Silva Paranhos Jύnior – the Baron of Rio Branco, who played a major role in consolidating Brazil’s borders.
Professor Mason said: “I am both honoured and humbled to receive the Order of Rio Branco, Officer Class - humbled because this award rests upon the tireless work and support of academic and professional colleagues at the University of Birmingham and beyond.
“Birmingham is a global university with a civic outlook. In recent years, Brazil has become one of the UK’s most important collaborators in education and research, and the University is committed to extending and deepening academic links between our two countries.
“I am proud of the way that our relationships have continued to flourish and believe that more and better still is to come, as we continue to combine the great research and education strengths of Brazil and the UK.”
Brazil is a strategic region of importance for the University, which – through its Birmingham Brazil Forum – has developed partnerships and relationships leading to collaborative research with leading Brazilian universities, institutions and private organisations.
Birmingham’s research partnerships in Brazil seek to answer some of the most challenging questions of the 21st Century, including: sustainable cities, energy storage, energy oil and gas, immunology and infection, biomaterials, cancer studies, and social sciences.
The university also provides Brazilian lecturers and researchers at the start of their careers the opportunity to spend up to three months at the University of Birmingham carrying out research project.
