Q&A-Nova Southeastern: Nova welcomes Brazilian delegates in cultural business mission

South Florida CEO, March, 2005

With hundreds of international students, Davie-based Nova Southeastern University (NSU) offers a multi-cultural campus that serves as the perfect venue for Focus Brazil 2005 round-tables. The university will host Brazilian governmental officials as part of the State to State, Governor to Governor, Business to Culture Forum in March.

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George Hanbury, executive vice president for administration at NSU, discussed the importance of strong business ties between Florida and Brazil.

Q: Why did Nova choose to get involved with the Focus Brazil 2005 project?

Hanbury: We have a large number of international students, and that number is growing every year. You'll find a blending of culture and points of view on our campus. So the university is the appropriate setting to host discussions about improving and expanding the relationship between the US and Brazil. Marrying community, culture and commerce is very much part of our vision at NSU.

Q: Why are these types of programs so important to trade relations?

Hanbury: It's always better to trade with someone you know. Cultural and community activities give people an opportunity, whether they are foreigners or next-door neighbors, to establish relationships that lead to trade. Brazil is a very important neighbor to the US, and especially to South Florida.

Q: What makes the business and cultural ties between Florida and Brazil so strong?

Hanbury: It's not only our geographical location, but it's also the fact that we are tied together through high-speed fiber optics with Sao Palo and the industry federation that's in that area. It's our efforts to locate the trade programs here for all of South America and our emphasis on trade, and it's Brazil's emphasis on trade itself as a growing economy that makes the ties so strong.

Q: How do these strong cultural ties open up business opportunities?

Hanbury: The Broward Center for the Performing Arts' concept of tying together culture with education will open up business opportunities for our students. Our H. Wayne Huizenga School of Business and Entrepreneurship prepares students for the global business world. We've also had major distance learning programs that include South America for some time. Although we may not necessarily be involved in the trade or business associations at Nova, Focus Brazil is a wonderful opportunity for expanding our mission of providing access for education and for our graduating students. This is what a university is all about.