Staff Member of the International at UniFAJ is a nominee for the “Global BEEHIVE Teacher of Excellence Awards,” alongside representatives from countries such as the United States, France, and Poland

Ana Carolina Faustini, a member of the International Department at the University Center of Jaguariúna (UniFAJ), was announced as a finalist for the international “Global BEEHIVE Teacher of Excellence Awards,” sponsored by Global Partners in Education (GPE).

In addition to working in the International Department, Ana Carolina serves as coordinator of the institutions’ Bilingual Program and as an English instructor, developing initiatives focused on global education, intercultural communication, and international academic experiences for students.

She represents Brazil among the six finalists in the Global BEEHIVE category, alongside participants from countries such as Colombia, Mexico, France, the United States, and Poland. The awards ceremony is part of the program for the 19th Annual GPE Conference, which will be held online from May 18 to 21, 2026, bringing together institutions and professionals from various countries to discuss new directions in global collaborative education, international projects, and COIL (Collaborative Online International Learning) initiatives.

For Ana Carolina, international recognition symbolizes not only a personal achievement but also the strengthening of the work carried out by Brazilian institutions in the context of the internationalization of higher education. “As an internationalist, and as the only Brazilian nominated for this award, being among the finalists is incredibly surreal. I was nominated by other professors in the GPE network who have worked with me, so this is an award based on the evaluation of professionals who are also dedicated to education and to connecting people from all over the world,” she says.

Currently, UniFAJ is the only Brazilian institution that is a member of the GPE, a network comprising 49 institutions of higher education from 31 countries that has been dedicated to fostering global academic connections for more than 15 years.

Ana Carolina’s nomination is related to the work she carried out as part of the Global Business project, an initiative that fostered interaction between Brazilian students and students from Colombia, Mexico, and The Gambia through discussions on leadership, work culture, market trends, and global citizenship. “We worked to ensure that our students engaged meaningfully with students from other countries and could discuss how our nations can strengthen one another and how they can establish themselves as global citizens,” she explains.

For the professor, UniFAJ’s institutional support was essential to the consolidation of international initiatives. She points out that institutions have been investing in efforts aimed at academic internationalization, such as the Bilingual Program and COIL projects. “UniFAJ is very open to the concept of internationalization in higher education. The Bilingual Program is an effort to break down cultural barriers and empower the academic community through foreign languages, while COIL has been establishing itself internationally as a modern form of scientific diplomacy,” she notes.

Ana Carolina also emphasizes that internationalization goes beyond traditional exchange programs and should be accessible to the entire academic community. “The internationalization of higher education is more than just an expensive two-week exchange program to learn English. It is the driving force behind a more connected and more humane academic community, and it can take place through research, lectures, digital exchanges, and academic collaborations. We believe in internationalization for everyone: staff, faculty, and students,” she concludes.

Participation in the leading event in this field in Latin America fosters new partnerships, facilitates the exchange of experiences, and paves the way for future institutional advancements

The University Center of Jaguariúna (UniFAJ) participated in FAUBAI 2026, an annual fair organized by the Brazilian Association of International Education, held from April 12 to 15 in Florianópolis (SC). The institution’s participation reinforced its commitment to the internationalization of higher education and opened doors to new academic connections around the world.

Considered the largest event on the internationalization of higher education in Latin America, the conference brought together universities, consulates, organizations, and experts from various countries to discuss trends, challenges, and opportunities in the global landscape.

For Ana Carolina Faustini, coordinator of the institution’s Bilingual Program, participation was strategic both for institutional strengthening and for staff training. “Participating in this event was very positive—an excellent training opportunity—because, in addition to strengthening our network, we had the chance to engage with researchers and global leaders discussing trends, science diplomacy, and paths to internationalization,” she notes.

Global Connections and New Opportunities

During the fair, UniFAJ established and strengthened ties with institutions from various countries, including Canada, Chile, Peru, France, the United States, Russia, and Australia. Among the highlights were international interest in innovative initiatives developed by the institutions, such as digital exchange programs and the COIL (Collaborative Online International Learning) model, as well as recognition for joining Global Partners in Education, as the network’s sole Brazilian representative.

Another important development was the establishment of partnerships with leading universities and organizations, such as U.S. institutions with a high degree of international diversity, European business schools, and globally prominent online universities. There were also advances in institutional partnerships, including connections with Study Australia and initiatives linked to the University of Sydney. “Internationalization goes far beyond student mobility. It connects teaching, research, and community outreach, strengthens the academic community, and can transform people’s life trajectories,” emphasizes Ana Carolina.

Another highlight of the participation in FAUBAI 2026 was the presentation of the Bilingual Program and the institutions’ language policy to the international academic community, underscoring their commitment to preparing professionals for global contexts. The initiative was presented as an innovative project based on the integration of language, content, and culture in higher education, aligned with active learning methodologies, Content and Language Integrated Learning (CLIL), and the development of intercultural competencies.

The Fundación Universia, in partnership with HORSE Technologies and with the support of the Santander Open Academy platform, is now accepting applications for the international “Becas Tech Her Future” program, which offers 50 scholarships worth up to €2,500 each. The initiative is aimed at unemployed women or women with disabilities who are enrolled in undergraduate, master’s, or doctoral programs in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) for the 2025–2026 academic year.

Applications can be submitted through January 19, 2026, directly through the Santander Open Academy platform. For students at UniMAX and UNIFAJ, it is essential that they register and log in using only their institutional email address from their respective institution, to ensure proper academic affiliation during the selection process.

Female applicants residing in Brazil, Argentina, Chile, Portugal, or Spain are eligible to participate, provided they meet the criteria outlined in the call for applications, including proof of enrollment in technology-related courses. The program also reinforces its commitment to inclusion by allocating at least 15% of the scholarships to women with disabilities.

The selection of applicants will be based on an analysis of their academic profile, socioeconomic status, and the motivation described in their personal statement. The final results are expected to be announced in early February 2026.

Through this initiative, Fundación Universia and HORSE Technologies reaffirm their commitment to promoting gender equality, social inclusion, and strengthening the presence of women in the technology sector, thereby contributing to the development of qualified professionals in strategic fields that are in high demand in the global market.