XAUAT News Network: On May 12, 2023 (Beijing Time), XAUAT held a video conferencing with the University of São Paulo (USP) to discuss the details and intent of establishing the “Silk Road International Alliance of Architectural and Technological Universities”. Manoel Rodrigues Alves, President of the International Cooperation Commission at the Institute of Architecture and Urbanism (IAU) of USP, and Wang Chunmei, Vice Director of XAUAT’s Office of International Affairs, attended the meeting.

Wang pointed out that, ranked the No. 1 university in Brazil, USP is also listed in the top QS World University Rankings. On behalf of XAUAT, she invited USP to jointly initiate the establishment of the “Silk Road International Alliance of Architectural and Technological Universities” and promote faculty and student exchange and research collaborations.  

Alves noted that, as the starting point of “Belt and Road Initiative” countries, China has its unique yet splendid culture in architecture. USP is willing to seize the opportunity of joining the “Alliance” and signing the MoU with XAUAT in order to promote more cooperation between the two institutions.  

Founded in 1934, the University of São Paulo (USP) is Brazil’s first university and the largest modern comprehensive institution of higher education. It has 29 schools, including the Faculty of Architecture and Urbanism, School of Engineering, etc. USP is ranked 115th in the QS World University Rankings for 2023 and 44th (also in the QS) for its Architecture and Built Environment program.