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Employers’ PerspectivesFEI and IAESTE10 Years Broadening HorizonsPROF RIVANA BASSO MARINOFEI University Centre is devoted to theeducation of administrators, computerscientists, and engineers in different areas suchas construction, electronics, computing,telecommunications, mechanics, automotiveengineering, materials, production, chemistryand textiles, preparing professionals for thework market.FEI was established under the vision andenterprising spirit of the Jesuit priest FatherRoberto Saboia de Medeiros, who foresaw thegreat technological development yet to come inBrazil in the 40’s and beyond. So in 1941 hefounded Brazil’s firstBusinessAdministrationGraduate School inSão Paulo, followed byFEI - Faculdade deEngenharia Industrial(IndustrialEngineering School)in 1946. This schoolwas later transferredto São Bernardo doCampo, a majorindustrial region inLatin America. Approximately 40 thousandprofessionals have received their degrees inthose schools up to now.In March 1999, a new school opened its doorsin São Bernardo do Campo, FCI Faculdade deInformática (School of Computing).Maintaining the goals of its founder, FEI’sUniversity Centre has carried out its mission toprovide a comprehensive development ofprofessionals that are committed to society anda continuous improvement of the academiclevel and quality of its courses. Hence, there isa concern to establish partnerships and bondsbesides developing research and studies indifferent areas.For that reason, FEI has taken part in theIAESTE programme for ten years, resulting in arich and valuable exchange of experiences.Besides broadening the academic and culturalviews of more than 60 students that wentabroad through IAESTE, the students broughtback with them and to our schools theoutcome of this experience in differentcountries. On the other hand, there is thevaluable contribution provided by the foreignstudents that are received in our laboratoriesamong our students, sharing technicalknowledge and promoting cultural exchange.In the globalised world in which we live, thisexchange of experiences, added to the practiceof the use of other languages is central to theintegration of our students in the work market.In recognition of the importance of thispartnership, a new work post is being openedin our campus from 2004 onwards for foreigninterns, allowing for greater opportunities ofinteraction among students of differentcultures.We are grateful to IAESTE and Central deIntercâmbio for the IAESTE International Awardwhich we received on April 12, and for thepriceless contribution to the development ofour students.Rivana Basso Marino is PhD Professor, ViceRector of Extension and Community Activitiesfor FEI University Centre (Inaciana EducationalFoundation).I A E S T E A N N U A L R E V I E W 2 0 0 4 11