UBCR, authorities, and Paraná state researchers support Ukrainian scientists

Curitiba, Brazil – April 11, 2023. A gala lunch with 13 Ukrainian scientists and professors at the Iguaçu Palace, the headquarters of the state of Paraná, was held with the participation of Paraná’s  Governor Carlos Massa, President of the Ukrainian-Brazilian Central Representation (UBCR) Vitório Sorotiuk, Science and Technology Secretary Aldo Bona, Araucária Foundation President Ramiro Wahrhattig, and Araucária Foundation international Advisor Eliane Segati Rios. 

The state government, the Araucária Foundation for the Support of Scientific and Technological Development of the State of Paraná, and the Ukrainian-Brazilian Central Representation are taking care of 13 Ukrainian professors and researchers who have been accepted into the exchange program at Paraná’s universities. The number of program participants is expected to grow to 50. 

Governor Carlos Massa emphasized the importance of Ukrainian scientists’ arrival in Paraná and that this reception is a humanitarian gesture and an opportunity for scientific exchange between Paraná and Ukraine. According to Governor Massa, the presence of the Ukrainian community in Paraná was instrumental to the project to support the Ukrainian scientists’ reception. In turn, the Secretary of Science and Technology and President of the Araucária Foundation emphasized that the foundation is satisfied with the scientific work carried out by Ukrainian scientists.

Vitório Sorotiuk thanked Governor Carlos Massa, Secretary Aldo Boni, and President of the Araucária Foundation Ramiro Vargaftig for the project. He also spoke about the work of the Center for Slavic Studies at Unicentro University. He received support to create a higher education course in Portuguese and Ukrainian in the EAD system to train teachers and translators.

Earlier, Ukrainian scholars had the opportunity to learn about Ukrainian community life in Brazil and the more than a century-old history of the UBCR; the delegation also visited the Ukrainian Memorial in Tingui Park and met with the Honorary Consul of Ukraine in Curitiba.