Through the signing of a historic agreement promoted by B’nai B’rith Uruguay, researchers from the Institut Pasteur de Montevideo (IP Montevideo) will have the opportunity to do internships at the renowned Israeli centre Weizmann Institute of Science.
Following the signing of the memorandum of understanding in Israel in March, authorities from IP Montevideo and B’nai B’rith Uruguay presented in our country the agreement with the Weizmann Institute that will involve the exchange of knowledge and human resources between both scientific centres.
Both José Badano, academic director of the Uruguayan institute, and Carlos Batthyány, executive director, highlighted the relevance of such an agreement, as it is one of the most reputable institutes in the world. In particular, Batthyány said it will be an ideal opportunity to learn how Israel has become an international benchmark in the areas of science, technology and innovation. “It is very important for the future of our country, taking into account that we are in the century of the knowledge revolution and that the countries that are going to develop will be those that can be sovereign in the generation of knowledge,” he said.
The idea of this agreement is that internships for Uruguayan researchers should be no less than six months. And what is special, according to Batthyány, is that since the Weizmann Institute works in areas that are very compatible with the local institute, “all IP Montevideo labs will be able to find a partner in Weizmann”. In addition, it also opens up the possibility for researchers from the Israeli institute to come to Uruguay to learn about the reality on this side of the world.
Javier Galperin, executive director of B’nai B’rith Uruguay, group which promoted the signing of the agreement, was also present at the event. “It is an organisation that, from the Jewish community, promotes human relations as the main way for the development of society. One of its central pillars, since its inception, has been the promotion of science, arts and technology,” he explained.
For its part, as far as this particular agreement is concerned, Mario Kaczka,B’nai B’rith Uruguay’s treasurer, said that there are currently more than 3,000 scientists from different countries working at the Weizmann Institute, so the Uruguayans will have a great opportunity to apply all the knowledge they have acquired in Uruguay when they return from their internships.
