From November 10 to 12, the city of Fray Bentos hosted the inspiring “Water and Heritage” Fair—an event that brought together embassies, foundations, government agencies, and the education sector to share opportunities and strengthen cooperation. Within this context, Alejandro Quinteros, the Erasmus+ National Focal Point at the Uruguayan Agency for International Cooperation (AUCI), played a key role in promoting access to European academic mobility and scholarship programs.
Connecting Students and Educators with Europe
The fair, which spanned three days, included various activities aimed at the general public and the academic community. One of the highlights took place on Friday, November 10, with an informative session held at the Technological University of Uruguay (UTEC). Alejandro Quinteros, alongside representatives from the French Embassy, DAAD (German Academic Exchange Service), AUCI, and the Chamangá Foundation, shared valuable information with students and faculty.
During the session, Quinteros detailed the Erasmus+ program, its different components, and how both institutions and individuals can participate. The activity sparked great interest among attendees, who recognized the value of international education as a path to personal and professional growth.
Institutional Dialogue and Strategic Cooperation
On Saturday, November 11, Alejandro Quinteros expanded his institutional work with a key meeting held at the Museum of the Industrial Revolution, located at the iconic Anglo meatpacking plant in Fray Bentos—a UNESCO World Heritage Site. In this historic setting, he met with authorities from the Río Negro Departmental Government, including:
- Cristina García, Advisor on International Cooperation
- Alejandra Vila, General Director of the Housing Department
- Alejandro Bordoli, Deputy Director of Housing
- Adrián Stagi, General Director of Environment, Biodiversity, and Climate Change
- Patricia Amarillo, Director of Social Policies
- Mauro Delgrosso, Director of the Fray Bentos Heritage System
- Victoria Peraza, Director of Youth
During the meeting, Quinteros presented the wide range of opportunities offered by Erasmus+ in Uruguay. The discussion focused on ways to promote the participation of young people, professionals, and technicians from rural areas in training and exchange programs in Europe. The meeting also explored potential synergies between local development priorities and the goals of the European program.
Bridging Local Needs and Global Opportunities
Alejandro Quinteros’ active participation as Erasmus+ focal point at this fair not only gave visibility to the program's opportunities but also strengthened ties among local, national, and international actors. His work underscores AUCI’s commitment to decentralizing cooperation and democratizing access to global education programs.
The activities in Río Negro reflect the spirit of Erasmus+: fostering cultural understanding, educational excellence, and international cooperation for sustainable development. Initiatives like this bring Europe closer to Uruguayan youth and encourage more students, educators, and institutions to join this global network of learning and innovation.
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Did you find this article interesting? Would you like to learn more about Erasmus+ programs and scholarships for you and your institution in your country? Feel free to contact your Erasmus+ National Focal Point (ENFP)!
ENFP of Uruguay - Alejandro Quinteros Alvarez: aquinteros@auci.gub.uy
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