Carol Stewart, Vice President of the University of Arizona, Tech Parks Arizona, has been appointed to serve in the newly awarded Fulbright initiative designed to strengthen academic and research collaboration between Brazil and the United States.
Formalized on June 10, 2025, the five-year partnership was created in cooperation with the Fulbright Commission and is supported by both the Brazilian and U.S. governments. The initiative, Sustainable Efforts for Climate Change Mitigation and Reconstruction in Rio Grande do Sul Through International Academic Cooperation, outlines an ambitious plan to foster technical and scientific collaboration with United States partners. Its primary aim is to support the implementation of sustainable mitigation and reconstruction initiatives in Rio Grande do Sul—a state in southern Brazil that has been severely affected by catastrophic floods driven by climate change.
“We want to create partnerships and lasting changes. This is an opportunity to share what we (Americans) have learned from disasters that have already happened in our country,” explained said Elizabeth Detmeister, the counselor of the Department of Culture, Education and Press at the U.S. Embassy in Brazil.
The Pontifical Catholic University of Rio Grande do Sul (PUCRS) has been selected as the headquarters for the new Fulbright initiative focused on addressing climate-related disasters. The project aims to develop sustainable, science-driven strategies to prepare for, respond to, and recover from environmental catastrophes—efforts that are increasingly critical in the face of climate change.
Recognized by Brazil’s Ministry of Education (MEC) as the top private university in the Southern Region, PUCRS is leading this initiative in partnership with international collaborators. Home to more than 40,000 students, over 200 research laboratories and the globally recognized Tecnopuc Science and Technology Park, PUCRS offers a dynamic ecosystem for innovation and applied research.
This initiative aligns closely with the Fulbright Program’s longstanding mission to foster mutual understanding through academic exchange, professional development and international cooperation.
In recognition of her global leadership in innovation ecosystems and international collaboration, Carol Stewart, Vice President of the University of Arizona and CEO of Tech Parks Arizona, was appointed as a chairholder in the “technology and innovation, business models, and innovation ecosystem restoration” vertical embedded in the larger Fulbright recovery initiative.
“This initiative exemplifies the transformative power of global cooperation through innovation,” shared Stewart. “By connecting academic institutions, ecosystems and university research parks, we are not only exchanging knowledge— we are building the capacity to solve shared challenges, drive lasting impact and strengthen resiliency.”
The partnership will engage multiple PUCRS units, including its academic schools, the Institute of the Environment (IMA), the Institute of Geriatrics and Gerontology (IGG), Tecnopuc, and the Center for Artificial Intelligence and Data Science. The initiative aims to produce joint research publications, host scientific events, facilitate academic exchanges and develop action plans that inform public policy and promote sustainable, science-based practices. These efforts will address environmental disasters and their impacts, not only in Rio Grande do Sul but in other regions that can benefit from the project’s interdisciplinary insights and strategic recommendations. The initiative also highlights the vital role of science and technology parks as engines for diplomacy, sustainability, and international cooperation.
About PUCRS
Tecnopuc, the Science and Technology Park of the Pontifical Catholic University of Rio Grande do Sul (PUCRS), is a hub for research, innovation, and entrepreneurship. With two campuses located in Porto Alegre and Viamão in the state of Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil, Tecnopuc is home to 136 organizations and supports more than 6,300 jobs. The Porto Alegre site spans 11.5 hectares and is situated on a former Brazilian Army complex acquired by PUCRS in 2001. The historic buildings have been transformed into state-of-the-art facilities tailored to the needs of partner companies engaged in advanced research and development.
