Brazilian Institutions Research Articles

Leveraging genomes to support conservation and bioeconomy policies in a megadiverse country.

The biodiversity crisis is a global phenomenon, and measures to monitor, stop, and revert the impacts on species' extinction risk are urgently needed. Megadiverse countries, especially in the Global South, are responsible for managing and protecting Earth's biodiversity. Various initiatives have started to sequence reference-level genomes or perform large-scale species detection and monitoring through environmental DNA. Here, we outline the Genomics of the Brazilian Biodiversity (GBB) consortium that is contributing to public policies on the conservation and management of Brazilian species. We describe our unique public-private governance and lessons in setting up a genomic consortium in a megadiverse country of continental scale. We explore the challenges while sharing knowledge for similar initiatives in the Global South. Ultimately, we aim to encourage Brazilian institutions and other megadiverse countries to invest and participate in large-scale genomic initiatives, demonstrating their commitment to preserving and monitoring their exceptional natural heritage while contributing to global biodiversity conservation.

Adherence to optimal delirium management practices in intensive care units in Brazil: a nationwide survey.

Effective delirium management is crucial, considering its association with adverse outcomes. Adherence to best practices has the potential to reduce the incidence and prevalence of delirium and improve health outcomes. The objectives of this project were to describe self-assessed adherence to best practices in delirium management by health care professionals in intensive care units (ICUs) in Brazil, assess the health care professionals' perception of the importance of adequate delirium prevention and treatment in ICUs, and compare the compliance rates with best practices between public and private ICUs. A cross-sectional study was conducted in Brazil using an online questionnaire consisting of three parts, namely, data about the health care professionals and the ICU in which they worked; statements about the 17 best practices; and questions related to perceptions of delirium prevention and management by ICU physicians and nurses. The survey was sent to email addresses registered with the Brazilian Association of Intensive Care Medicine. The compliance rate exceeded 50% for only eight best practices. These included the identification and management of pressure sores and falls in delirium patients, with compliance rates of 77.8% and 74.1%, respectively. Among ICU professionals in Brazil, adherence to best practices in delirium management is low, particularly for practices involving patient education and involvement of their relatives in their care. These results emphasize the importance of enhancing delirium management in Brazilian health care institutions, regardless of hospital classification. http://links.lww.com/IJEBH/A274.

Environmental and Social Disclosure of Brazilian Banking Financial Institutions from the Perspective of the Sustainable Development Goals

Objective: The objective of this study is to investigate the determining factors that influence the disclosure of environmental and social information by the Brazilian banking sector from the perspective of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), with the aim of identifying which organizational characteristics impact the level of socio-environmental disclosure. Theoretical Framework: In this topic, the main concepts and theories that underpin the research are presented. The study is based on the Theory of Legitimacy, which provides theoretical elements for socio-environmental disclosure. This theory explains management’s motivation to disclose environmental information, recognizing that organizational survival depends not only on financial success but also on the ability to maintain a social contract with society. Method: The methodology adopted for this research comprises a quantitative approach based on content analysis of sustainability reports from Brazilian banks. Data collection was carried out through the analysis of corporate disclosure reports published between 2016 and 2020. The regression model with panel data was used to analyze the influence of organizational characteristics on the dissemination of socio-environmental information from the perspective of the SDGs. Results and Discussion: The results obtained revealed that the size of the company and public control are factors that influence the disclosure of socio-environmental information regarding the SDGs. Whether or not the company owns shares on the Stock Exchange and its profitability have little impact on the amount of information disclosed about the SDGs. In the discussion section, these results are contextualized based on the theoretical framework, highlighting the implications and relationships identified. Possible discrepancies and limitations of the study are also considered in this section. Research Implications: The practical and theoretical implications of this research are discussed, providing insights into how the results can be applied or influence practices in the field of socio-environmental disclosure. These implications could encompass the banking sector, regulatory bodies, and policymakers. Originality/Value: This study contributes to the literature by deepening the knowledge about environmental disclosure in the banking sector, a topic still little explored in academic studies. The relevance and value of this research are evidenced by its potential to inform better practices and policies for socio-environmental disclosure in the banking industry.

O REPUBLICANISMO NO BRASIL: TEORIA, PRÁTICA E O PAPEL DAS INSTITUIÇÕES

This article examines republicanism in Brazil, addressing its historical evolution and practical application in the country’s political institutions. The study investigates how positivist and liberal currents influenced the transition to the Republic in 1889 and how republican principles, such as the common good and the separation of powers, are expressed in Brazilian democratic institutions. The aim is to understand republican theory in Brazil and analyze the impact of the judicialization of politics on the separation of powers. The methodology involves a bibliographic review and documentary analysis. The results indicate that, although Brazil formally adopts republican principles, significant challenges remain for their practical implementation. Institutional fragility, endemic corruption, and the judicialization of politics create barriers to the full realization of the ideals of the common good and civic participation. The study concludes that strengthening democratic institutions and combating corruption are essential elements to consolidate republicanism in Brazil and ensure it remains true to its fundamental principles.

Public research institutes in Brazil: evidence of research and innovation impact

Here, we look at the impact of the scientific production of Brazilian research institutions. Data were collected from SciVal and InCites for governmental research institutions (state and federal), and then we focussed on the two largest: Embrapa (Agriculture) and Fiocruz (Health). Institutions in the area of health, environment and physics tended to show higher impact than other areas, those in physics showed low first, last and corresponding authorships (<20%). Health institutions had a high profile in Policy and Patents, especially abroad, while agriculture had a more local impact. Citations in policy documents increased impact by 220%. Brazilian institutions in Defence, Agriculture, Energy & Nuclear, and Economic areas generally perform below world means. While some institutions may show a higher impact on specific indicators, the present study raises the need for an in-depth analysis of these institutions and their return on investments. Information contained here can help these institutions in strategic planning to improve impact results, including the uptake of science by the Brazilian government. While Fiocruz seems to meet this demand, Embrapa still needs to reaffirm its space within the system. Discussion on the return on investment (monetary and other resources) made in institutions these institutions require future studies.

Clinical Evaluation of Metal Dental Prostheses in Captive Wild Felids.

Captive felids are prone to dental fractures, and the recommended treatment involves endodontics (root canal treatment), prosthodontics (coronal restoration), or tooth extraction. A single-unit dental prosthesis can restore the crown of a tooth whose structure has been partially or completely lost. Nine animals out of 35 captive wild felids kept under human care in 7 different Brazilian institutions were selected for the study. The animals selected included the little spotted cat (Leopardus tigrinus), ocelot (L. pardalis), margay cat (L. wiedii), pampas cat (L. colocolo), jaguarundi cat (Puma yagouaroundi), puma (P. concolor), jaguar (Panthera onca), lion (P. leo), and tiger (P. tigris). Nineteen canine prosthodontic crowns (18 full and one 3/4) were cemented using dual-cure resin cement and their feasibility was evaluated for 30 months. Fourteen (73%) remained fixed to the tooth and 5 (27%) were lost after the evaluation period. This study aimed to assess the longevity of prosthodontic crowns in the canine teeth of wild felids. Furthermore, it aimed to determine the functionality and longevity of teeth which had received prosthodontic crowns.

Qual o lugar da mulher negra nos estudos da academia? Uma investigação da produção stricto sensu sobre a mulher negra no Brasil

Observing the intersectional relationship that permeates the experience of black women, their daily confrontation with challenges that combine markers of race, class and gender, this article seeks to analyze the academic perspective on such women, essentially from stricto sensu postgraduate studies. . We sought to identify, through a qualitative-quantitative study, how the theme is approached in Brazilian higher education institutions and the characteristics associated with their production: where they are being produced (universities, postgraduate programs, states and capitals), what is the profile of the authors, as well as the contrast of their productivity with other ethnic-racial themes. The research included a sample of 2,723 theses and dissertations and covered a five-year period, from 2017 to 2021. Based on the data and analyzes developed, it was possible to identify that the majority of stricto sensu productions come from public universities, which The majority of authors are women, with the humanities leading among areas of knowledge and, despite other ethnic-racial themes being on the rise in recent years, productions on black women have been decreasing. Some of the causalities pointed out are the cuts in scholarships within the scope of higher education, which corroborate the intensification of the social fragility to which these women are already subjected.

An approach to the porcine health and production research structure in Brazil, 2010–2018

The research project described here sets out to identify and evaluate the topological features of the social structure underlying the porcine health and production system in Brazil between 2010 and 2018. To do this, a sample of the research carried out in the said system was delimited through a set of scientific documents written by several authors from different public and/or private Brazilian institutions. The unit examined was the co-authorship established in the said publications by the authors themselves. It used social network analysis to discover the dynamics that existed based on the cooperation occurring among the protagonists and the collaborative work done by the different research groups. It was observed that the main subjects of joint research were circovirus, porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome, bacterial infections, innocuousness, animal welfare, sanitary management, reproduction, and genetics. An analysis of the network research structure revealed respective decreases of 5.8% and 52.3% in the communicative and connective capacity of the research network. This could suggest diminished research capacities that are limited to particular technological narratives, which might be linked to some of the animal health contradictions identified in the aforementioned system.

Clinicopathological Features of 26 Intraoral Polymorphous Adenocarcinomas from a Single Brazilian Institution.

This study describes a large, well-documented case series of salivary gland polymorphous adenocarcinomas (PAC) from a single Brazilian center. Demographic data, clinical presentation, histopathological and immunohistochemical features from 26 cases of PAC were analyzed and discussed in detail. Most patients were females (n = 21), with a ratio of 1:4.2 (male: female) with a mean age of 58.8years (ranging from 36 to 84years). The most common clinical presentation was a fibrocollagenous, firm nodular lesion, with a mean size of 2.46cm (ranging from 0.5 to 3cm). Most lesions occurred on the palate (n = 16), followed by buccal mucosa (n = 3), upper lip (n = 3), buccal vestibule (n = 2) and alveolar ridge (n = 1). Histologically, various growth patterns were observed, including tubular, solid, cribriform, papillary, and cystic. Additionally, glomeruloid slit-like structures, mucous, and clear cells were noted. Surface papillary epithelial hyperplasia was observed in a few cases. Nine cases exhibited myxoid and collagenous areas, while two cases showed fusiform areas and another case demonstrated squamous differentiation. Clear cell predominance was noted in two cases, and peri- and intraneural invasion was seen in eight cases. Immunohistochemical analysis revealed positivity for S-100, p63 and CK7, and negativity for p40 in all cases. The Ki-67 proliferation index was markedly low in most cases, with a mean of 2.5%. We have provided a broad, detailed description of the clinical and microscopic features of PAC in a large, Brazilian cohort. These findings, in a resource-limited area, may be quite useful for establishing a proper diagnosis.

Challenges of the new Fiocruz Biodiversity and Health Biobank for preparedness and response to emerging and re-emerging infectious diseases

During the COVID-19 pandemic, the Oswaldo Cruz Foundation (Fiocruz), a Brazilian federal research institution supported by the Brazilian Health Ministry, established a biobank. This biobank began by preserving the SARS-CoV-2 virus and human biological material related to COVID-19. This innovative initiative combined human and biodiversity materials within a single infrastructure. Designed for supporting research, development, and innovation in healthcare and preparedness and response to emerging and re-emerging infectious diseases, the biobank’s focus has since expanded to include various biological materials, leading to its renaming as the Biodiversity and Health Biobank - Fiocruz-BBS (Portuguese: Biobanco da Biodiversidade e Saúde da Fiocruz – BBS-Fiocruz). This paper outlines the challenges of creating and maintaining an adequate infrastructure in a developing country for promoting and supporting scientific research and biotechnological innovation activities in health through processes of depositing, characterizing, preserving, and supplying human and biodiversity biological materials, alongside associated data, while complying with prevailing legal and ethical rules. These processes adhere to stringent quality, biosafety, and biosecurity standards set forth in ISO 20387:2018. Additionally, the challenges of ensuring the Biobank’s long-term sustainability is discussed. This involves a) establishing benchmarks and best practices, b) developing a comprehensive business plan, c) forging partnerships, d) diversifying funding sources, e) ensuring ethical and legal compliance, f) implementing rigorous quality control procedures, and g) investing in human resources and infrastructure. The insights shared in this paper will benefit other biobanks engaged in services related to tropical infectious diseases.

The experience of using AAT in the Museu de Arte Contemporânea do Rio Grande do Sul

This paper analyzes the experience of implementing the Tainacan digital repository at the Museum of Contemporary Art of Rio Grande do Sul (MACRS), focusing on the use of the Getty Research Institute's Art &amp; Architecture Thesaurus (AAT). The aim is to investigate the applicability of the AAT, a knowledge organization system developed in another country and language (American English), in a Brazilian contemporary art institution. The research adopts a qualitative and quantitative approach, using bibliographic and ocumentary techniques to examine the application of AAT as a controlled vocabulary for 3 meta data sets in the MACRS digital repository. The results show that the use of AAT in MACRS has both advantages and limitations. More than 87% of the terms used by the museum have equivalence in the AAT, indicating high compatibility between the vocabulary adopted by the museum and the international reference. However, the translation of terms into Portuguese (BR) and the inclusion of specific terms are still challenges to beovercome. The study concludes that adopting the AAT as a data value standard is feasible and can contribute significantly to the standardization and internationalization of museum practices in Brazil. It also highlights the importance of strategic partnerships for the translation and adaptation of additional AAT terms, as well as for the development of new knowledge organization systems that meet the specific demands of different types of museum collections.

Technical-scientific production and knowledge networks about medicinal plants and herbal medicines in the Amazon.

This paper explores the role of Brazilian research institutions in the global and national context of study of medicinal plants. Most of these plants have ethnopharmacological use and herbal medicines related to the Amazon. It highlights Brazil's position in scientific production and the importance of Amazonian resources in developing phytomedicines. The study aims to provide an overview of the technical-scientific production of medicinal plants and herbal medicines related to the Amazon, focusing on scientific impact, collaboration, Technology Readiness Level (TRL) of scientific production, and innovation system maturity. The study employs a comprehensive methodological approach, including data collection from Scopus covering the period from 2002 to 2022. The data was cleaned and analyzed using bibliometric and network analysis techniques. Advanced natural language processing techniques, such as Latent Dirichlet Allocation and Jaccard distance measure, were used for TRL classification. The findings reveal a predominant contribution from Brazilian institutions and authors, with 1,850 publications analyzed. Key areas identified include Pharmacology, Toxicology, Pharmaceuticals, Medicine, and Biochemistry. The study also uncovers various collaborative networks and technological maturity levels, with a significant focus on early-stage development phases. The research concludes that Brazilian institutions, particularly those in the Amazon region, play a significant role in the scientific exploration and development of medicinal plants and herbal medicines. Despite this, countries like the USA were proportionally more productive in clinical trial research. The study underscores the potential of Brazil's rich biodiversity and traditional knowledge in the pharmaceutical industry, particularly for neglected diseases. It suggests the need for stronger research systems and international collaboration to leverage these resources for global health benefits.

Physical Activity and Associated Factors among Brazilian Adult Inmates: A Cross-Sectional Study.

Previous studies on health in prison facilities have determined that imprisonment has adverse effects on both physical and emotional well-being. Therefore, the introduction of public health measures is encouraged. This study aimed to (a) evaluate the levels of physical activity and the health condition of a sample of Brazilian prisoners and (b) determine the predictors of low physical activity. An observational and cross-sectional study was developed following the STROBE checklist. Data collection took place between June and November 2019 in a maximum-security Brazilian prison institution. This study's final sample included 220 people selected through convenience sampling, of which 115 (53.2%) were aged 18 to 29 years, followed by 79 (36.6%) aged 30 to 44 years and 22 (10.2%) aged 45 to 59 years old. Overall, 64.3% of participants failed to meet the World Health Organization (WHO) recommendation for physical activity [at least 150-300 min of moderate-intensity or 75 min of vigorous-intensity aerobic physical activity per week]. The majority reported unhealthy food consumption (116; 53.7%). Regarding body mass index (BMI), 50.2% of individuals were classified as eutrophic, 38.1% were overweight and 11.6% were obese. Older age (AOR: 0.95; CI95%: 0.92-0.99; p = 0.01) and sitting time (AOR: 0.74; CI95%: 0.65-0.85; p < 0.01) were associated with low adherence to physical activity. Our results highlight the importance of practicing physical activity within the prison context and the need for institutional programs that promote regular physical activity.

Cancer outcomes from a real-world cohort of patients eligible for adjuvant CDK4/6 inhibitors but without genomic risk for chemotherapy: A GBECAM multicenter retrospective study.

540 Background: In the MonarchE and Natalee studies, most patients received (neo)adjuvant chemotherapy (CT). In the precision oncology era, genomic signatures such as Oncotype DX (ODX) can spare many patients of CT. Our recent Real-World data (RWD) showed that a proportion of patients with hormone receptor positive (HR+) HER2 negative (HER2-) early breast cancer (eBC) would be eligible for adjuvant abemaciclib or ribociclib without genomic indication for CT. The main question addressed in this analysis is the potential benefit of adjuvant CDK4/6i in the non-CT eligible population; for this, we evaluated cancer recurrence outcomes of these patients. Methods: This is a multicentric RWD study derived from a large dataset of patients with T1-T3, N0-N1, HR+/HER2- eBC who had an ODX performed between 2005 and 2020 and were treated across nine Brazilian institutions. Projections of CT indication by genomic criteria were based on TAILORx and RxPONDER data. Projections of adjuvant CDK4/6i indication were based on the MonarchE and Natalee inclusion criteria. Primary endpoints were 4-year invasive disease-free survival (4-yr iDFS) and 4-year distant disease-free survival (4-yr DDFS) rates in the cohort of patients potentially eligible for CDK4/6i without genomic indication for CT and who did not receive adjuvant CT in the clinical practice. Results: Of 636 patients, the ODX indicated low (&lt;11), intermediate (11-25) and high (&gt;25) genomic risk in 117 (18.4%), 408 (64.1%) and 111 (17.5%) patients, respectively. 408 patients (64.2%) had low clinical risk and 228 patients (35.8%) had high clinical risk disease. In the overall cohort, 12 (1.8%) and 67 (10.5%) pts were eligible for adjuvant abemaciclib and ribociclib, respectively, without having received adjuvant CT (both by genomic indication and clinical practice). In patients with indication of abemaciclib (median follow-up [FU] of 23 months; a maximum of 114 months), 4-yr iDFS and 4-yr DDFS rates were both 100%. In patients with indication of ribociclib (median follow-up of 33 months; a maximum of 127 months), 4-yr iDFS and 4-yr DDFS rates were both 100%. In the entire cohort, there was only one distant recurrence event, at 96 months after diagnosis, in a 55-year-old patient with stage IIB (T2N1) eBC and low genomic risk (RS=11). Conclusions: In times of rapid incorporation of both GES and adjuvant CDK4/6i, our results suggest that patients eligible for adjuvant abemaciclib and/or ribociclib in the non-CT population have a favorable short-term outcome with endocrine therapy alone. Therefore, additional data and longer follow-up are needed to clarify the role of these costly and potentially toxic agents in patients spared CT by genomic signatures.

Sexual Violence and University Context: A Survey in a Brazilian Institution

A violência sexual nas universidades brasileiras carece de indicadores que permitam análise contextual e cultural das agressões. Portanto, os objetivos deste estudo foram investigar como membras(os) de uma instituição de ensino superior avaliam a segurança, serviços e direitos relacionados à violência sexual no contexto universitário e realizar um levantamento sobre a ocorrência de diferentes tipos de agressões sexuais e suas características. Foi realizada uma pesquisa quantitativa com análise estatística descritiva e inferencial pautada em um questionário adaptado respondido por 185 estudantes e 43 docentes. Foram encontradas relações significativas entre ter vivenciado agressões sexuais, o gênero, orientação sexual e ser estudante ou docente. Mulheres, pessoas não heterossexuais e estudantes foram os grupos que relataram vivenciar mais violências em comparação com homens, heteros e docentes, respectivamente. As médias das respostas dos grupos “mulheres” e “estudantes” foram significativamente mais negativas em comparação com “homens” e “docentes” nos itens sobre sentirem-se seguras(os) no contexto da universidade, conhecer direitos e procedimentos sobre a temática na instituição e confiabilidade quanto aos procedimentos adequados após denúncias. Os efeitos relacionados às violências encontrados foram: uso de medicamentos psiquiátricos, tratamento psicológico, perda de prazos, faltas e afastamentos do ambiente acadêmico. Os resultados foram discutidos à luz do comportamentalismo radical.

Social challenge stressors and work engagement: the moderating role of political skill

This study offers a counterpoint to the generalization of positive and linear effects resulting from challenge stressors in the workplace. The guiding objective was to verify whether social challenge stress impacts individuals' work engagement positively or negatively, according to the political skill degree available by professionals. We used moderation analysis and hierarchical regression to assess these relationships. The sample comes from civil servants of a Brazilian federal institution (N = 606). The results indicate that political skill moderates the relationship between social stress and engagement positively, except in cases where such skill is low, a situation in which the interaction becomes negative. The evidence also reveals that a positive curvilinear association better explains the association between social stress and work engagement. The findings suggest that the Challenge-Hindrance Stress Framework (CHF) has an application conditioned by the possible abilities that a given stressor demands to be evaluated as an obstacle or a challenge. We intended to extend the theory on stressors and contribute to the human resource management practice by elucidating conditions or portions of professionals in which the CHF does not apply or lacks contextualization.

“English is the natural language of science”: discourses and ideologies concerning EMI in two Brazilian universities

Abstract With the introduction of English medium instruction (EMI) as one strategy for the internationalization of universities, more and more lecturers in Brazil choose the option of running their courses in EMI, while higher education courses are normally taught in Portuguese, the official language. In this study, we aim to explore the discourses and ideologies underlying the introduction and choice of EMI in two Brazilian higher education institutions. We conducted interviews with lecturers and focus group discussions with lecturers and students at two state universities in Paraná, Brazil. The results show a tendency to see English as “the natural language of science” which is underpinned by various ideological positions in relation to the role of English in academia, such as monolingual, correctness and native speakerism ideologies. At the same time, the data shows resistance to English from a linguistic justice perspective, and portrays university lecturers as engaging in a balancing act to facilitate inclusion and still offer international opportunities to students in Brazil.

University professors’ representations on an online EMI course in Paraná - Brazil

In Brazilian higher education institutions, English as a Medium of Instruction (EMI) courses and workshops play a key role in helping professors to rethink their methodology and their concepts of language, especially regarding English conceived as a lingua franca. In an attempt to bring a local perspective for EMI, this paper examines university professors’ representations on an online EMI course for professors from nine public universities in Paraná. It is grounded on the concept of representation from critical discourse analysis. The results reveal the beliefs and motivations of the participants concerning EMI in Brazil.

Morphological and molecular characterization of parabasilids isolated from ex situ nonhuman primates and their keepers at different institutions in Brazil

Intestinal protozoa, which can be asymptomatic or cause diarrhea, dysentery and even death, are among the main agents that affect nonhuman primates (NHPs) kept under human care. Nevertheless, information on the molecular and morphometric profiles of parabasilids in the Neotropics is still scarce. In this context, the objective of this study was to isolate the Parabasalia protozoa detected in the feces of NHPs and their keepers in Pavlova and TYSGM9 media and to characterize the isolates by molecular biology and morphometry. Fecal samples from NHPs from five Brazilian institutions were analyzed. Direct examination was performed immediately after obtaining the samples. A total of 511 fecal samples from NHPs were collected, and 10.6% contained parabasilids. Regarding the handlers, of the 74 samples analyzed, three were positive. In vitro-generated parabasilid isolates were successfully obtained from all positive samples, as identified via microscopy. Isolates of the parasite were obtained both from New World NHPs, including the genera Leontopithecus, Saguinus, Leontocebus, Aotus, Saimiri, Sapajus, and Alouatta, and from the Old World primate Pan troglodytes. Forty-nine NHP isolates were molecularly identified: Pentatrichomonas hominis (16), Trichomitus batrachorum (14), Tetratrichomonas brumpti (13) and Hypotrichomonas hampli (6). The human isolates were identified as Tetratrichomonas sp. (2) and T. batrachorum (1). Visualization and morphometric analysis revealed trophozoites with piriform or rounded shapes that presented variable measurements. The isolates previously characterized as P. hominis had up to five free flagella, while T. batrachorum and Tetratrichomonas sp. had up to four free flagella, and H. hampli had a maximum of three free flagella. These morphometric characteristics corroborated the molecular identification. In general, a variety of parabasilids were observed to infect NHPs, and T. batrachorum was isolated from biological samples from both NHPs and their keepers, a finding that reinforces the susceptibility of these hosts to infections by parabasilids in Brazil.

Global Citizenship and Internationalization at Home: Insights from the BRASUIS Virtual Exchange Project

This paper reports on the BRASUIS Virtual Exchange (VE) Project carried out in two universities in Brazil and another one in Switzerland. The theoretical framework informing the research is that of Collaborative Online International Learning COIL/VE as a strategy to develop Global Citizenship (GC) and Internationalization at Home (IaH) in the three institutions involved. The BRASUIS project involved 26 students from the universities involved and eight international scholars as guest speakers. The project included both synchronous and asynchronous exchanges carried out over 14 weeks. The methodology employed to analyze the impact of the BRASUIS project on the institution’s IaH and GC approach is qualitative, using content analysis to look at data from reflection reports and observations produced by the project participants and lecturers. Results of the analysis reveal a varying degree of institutionalised internationalisation when comparing Brazilian and Swiss institutions and suggest that the BRASUIS project made a significant contribution to the development of GC and IaH in the Brazilian institutions involved and though it was a teacher-led innovation, there is potential to institutionalize VE projects beyond individual teachers’ efforts in those institutions. Results are discussed in terms of the challenges and benefits of VE to develop GC and IaH.