Portuguese President: “Your decision to study Portuguese was right and will prove fr ****************************************************************************************** * ****************************************************************************************** The opportunity to meet and debate with students after the official programme is something statesmen and distinguished guests appreciate. The President of the Portuguese Republic J. Aníbal Cavaco Silva showed that sentiment when he introduced his speech at the university will start speaking in English, but then I will continue in Portuguese, so that I can test students of Charles University in Portuguese.” The President lauded the long-lasting tradition of economic and cultural ties between the and Portugal, highlighting the cooperation between Czech and Portuguese universities. The the President's visit to Charles University was, among other things, proved by the fact th Universidade de Lisboa, his Magnificence António Sampaio da Nóvoa was in Mr. Silva's entou The president paid respect to the dedication with which Portuguese language and culture ar in the Czech Republic: “I am very grateful for this – it is our shared contribution to the of the Czech-Portuguese relationship and a hope for the future. The founding of the Depart Studies in Lisbon is a manifestation of the increasingly profound collaboration.” The first question from the audience of Charles University students concerned the prospect international ortography cooperation. “As of now, five countries have signed the agreement cooperation: Portugal, Brazil, Cape Verde, Guinea-Bissau and Timor; we are waiting for Ang Mozambique to ratify. All of these countries realize that the ratification of the ortograp essential. In Brazil, the agreement is already in action, in Portugal, we are going throug phase, but some media already follow the new rules. There are currently eight countries in use Portuguese as their official language with 250 million speakers. An initiative was lau recent meeting of the heads of governments of Portuguese-speaking countries in New York to one of the official languages of the United Nations. At another meeting in Brazil, a strat ratified to promote Portuguese in the international arena. Because of this, I believe that study Portuguese was right and will prove fruitful.” Answering a question of another student of Portuguese, who asked what the level of the cul relationships between the Czech Republic and Portugal is and will be in the future, Mr. Si that these relationships are among the most important ones: “It is a pleasure to see trans Portuguese receiving prestigious Czech literary awards – and I have already mentioned the the Department of Czech Studies at the University of Lisbon. Another, more particular exam collaborations would be the Czech writer who has lived in Portugal for 50 years and who is today. Also, Charles University is a part of the Coimbra Group, which is very active in re agenda. And last but not the least, I have met many Czech people during my visit whose Por excellent. I believe that this is the way to make the mutual understanding between our nat today and in the future.” A fourth year student of the Charles University Faculty of Medicine in Pilsen originally f speaking on behalf of the organization of Portuguese students studying abroad that has ove then made a plea to the President: “On behalf of all the Portuguese students studying abro to ask you to create conditions for us to return home. Portugal takes steps to employ fore the field of medicine and we can see no reason for us to study abroad. We miss our familie want to have a career in Portugal. I would also like to point out that the Bologna Process more seriously in regard to recognition of education and academic qualification.” Presiden by saying that he will take this into account and that he will discuss all these topic wit afternoon meeting. The friendly discussion with the students of Charles University concluded with an account unique tourist destinations in Portugal – the places from where Prince Henry the Navigator expeditions that opened new horizons and shortened distances around the globe. “Thanks to Charles University for its contribution to promotion of Portuguese language and the Czech Republic. Thanks to the professors of the Institute of Romance Studies of the Fa their excellent work”, the president wrote into the Charles University's offical visitors In 2003, a center for Portuguese language, the Institute Camoes Praga (http://www.institut index_port.php) was founded at the Charles Univesity Faculty of Arts. „The Institute offer language courses from beginner up to advanced levels, and holds lecture series on Portugue art. This semester, we are focusing on Portuguese literature and film”, says Šárka Grauová Institute of Romance Studies. „The courses also help students prepare for the admission ex Faculty of Arts undergraduate programme in Portuguese.” As of now, around 400 Portuguese students are enrolled at Charles University, over 300 of funded. Under the Erasmus exchange programme, 49 Portuguese students have enrolled at the semester. Teacher and researcher exchanges in the fields of pharmacology, microbiology, education, l Romance studies and environment between Charles University and Universidade de Coimbra hav for more than 30 years. Translation: Jaroslav Švelch