The German House of Science and Innovation (DWIH), recently opened in São Paulo, provides a new platform for university and research collaboration between Germany and Brazil.

Enlarge image Megacity and economic metropolis: São Paulo is the location of the German House of Science and Innovation in Brazil. (© dpa)

The institution's task is to intensify scientific and technological exchange with partners in Brazil and awaken interest in Germany as a research, science and innovation location.

Federal Foreign Minister Guido Westerwelle visited the DWIH for its official opening on February 14, 2012 and gained an impression of the new reference and contact center for German-Brazilian cooperation between universities, science and industry.

"Brazil is Germany's most important partner in Latin America for cooperation in education and research," said Westerwelle.

And he added that the vibrant metropolis São Paulo, which has the largest concentration of researching German companies outside Germany, is the ideal place for the German House of Science and Innovation in Brazil.

The Federal Foreign Office is promoting the worldwide development of German Houses of Science and Innovation within the framework of the Research and Academic Exchange Initiative and together with the Federal Ministry of Education and Research. São Paulo is one of five locations alongside New York, Moscow, New Delhi and Tokyo.

The DWIH in São Paulo is the joint representation of a dozen German universities, research institutions and innovation agencies under one roof. The German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD), which has an information center here, has developed the house together with the German Chambers of Commerce (AHK) in São Paulo since 2010. Other important partners with their own offices are the German Research Foundation (DFG), the Alexander von Humboldt Foundation and several universities.

The development of the DWIH is an expression of the growing German desire to intensify cooperation with Brazil. The university and research landscape in the up-and-coming nation is also on the move.

"This offers many opportunities for academic exchanges and bilateral research relationships," said Christian Müller from the DAAD.

This is where the DWIH wants to start its work: in future the house wants to offer seminars and workshops on the development of new bilateral research projects, demonstrate an increased presence at research fairs, stimulate dialogue with political circles and intensify business-world contacts together with the AHK.