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<title>SECRETARY OF STATE KILGOUR OPENSCANADIAN EDUCATION CENTRE IN BRAZIL</title>
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<p><font face="Times New Roman" size="+1"><strong></strong></font><font face="Times New Roman" size="+4"><strong></strong></font><font face="Times New Roman" size="+3"></font><font face="Univers" size="+2"></font><font face="Univers" size="+2">January 16, 1998 No. 16</font></p>
<p align="CENTER"><font face="Univers" size="+2">SECRETARY OF STATE KILGOUR OPENS</font></p>
<p align="CENTER"><font face="Univers" size="+2">CANADIAN EDUCATION CENTRE IN BRAZIL</font><font face="Univers" size="+2"></font></p>
<p><font face="Arial"></font><font face="Courier">Secretary of State (Latin America and Africa) David Kilgour today inaugurated the
Canadian Education Centre (CEC) in São Paulo, Brazil -- the 12th such Centre that
Canada has opened worldwide. The Secretary of State also announced the opening
of two satellite education centres at universities in Curitiba and Salvador, in
partnership with the Pontificia Universidade Católica do Paraná (PUC PR).</font></p>
<p><font face="Courier">"Learning is a lifetime occupation in Canada," said Mr. Kilgour. "The wider
promotion of Canada's education expertise will encourage a greater number of
exchanges between students, researchers, educators, and education specialists
from both countries."</font></p>
<p><font face="Courier">The Secretary of State added that the opening of the CEC, which is located at the
Consulate General in São Paulo, is an important step in fulfilling the objectives
outlined in the Declaration on Education Cooperation signed Wednesday in
Brasilia.</font></p>
<p><font face="Courier">In partnership with the PUC PR, the Canadian Education Centre Network, and the
Canadian Embassy in Brazil, the Centre will provide marketing and promotion
assistance to Canadian private and public education establishments on a
subscription and fee-for-service basis.</font></p>
<p><font face="Courier">The Brazil education market is the largest in South America and continues to
grow. Forty-five per cent of Brazil's population -- 66 million people -- is of
school age. The education technology market, currently estimated at $29 million
per year, is growing thanks to the potential number of users and the recent
introduction of multi-media technology. More than 250 000 students currently
study English in Brazil, and the number of Brazilian students studying in Canada
has grown steadily, from 656 students in 1994 to over 1000 in 1997.</font></p>
<p><font face="Courier">The CEC Network is a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Asia Pacific Foundation of
Canada, with Centres in South Korea, Taiwan, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Malaysia,
Thailand, India, Singapore, Australia, China, and Mexico. Canada also has opened
three additional education resource and marketing centres outside of the CEC
Network in Athens, Abu Dhabi, and Caracas. Canada plans to open up to 15 new
education marketing centres by 2000.</font></p>
<p><font face="Courier">- 30 -</font></p>
<p><font face="Courier">For further information, media representatives may contact:</font></p>
<p><font face="Courier">Media Relations Office</font></p>
<p><font face="Courier">Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade </font></p>
<p><font face="Courier">(613) 995-1874</font></p>
<p><font face="Courier">This document is also available on the Department of Foreign Affairs and
International Trade's Internet site: htpp://www.dfait-maeci.gc.ca</font></p>
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