Gov. Pat Quinn began his six-day trip to promote Illinois business and tourism in Brazil on Sunday — but not without mention of the University.

Vice President and Chancellor Phyllis Wise joined Quinn on the trip to recruit Brazilian students and represents the University as one of about 30 delegated officials from Illinois businesses, educational institutions and state and local governments. The group is scheduled to make stops in São Paulo, Brasília and Recife.

Campus spokeswoman Robin Kaler said Wise is accompanying Quinn on this trip because the University has many alumni in Brazil and has relationships with organizations in Brazil. Kaler said because of those relationships, Wise will be able to help the state government meet and connect with people and organizations that might be able to partner with Illinois to help with the state’s economic development.

Illinois is also making an effort to attract more Brazilian students to Illinois universities through the Brazilian government’s Scientific Mobility Program, according to a press release from Quinn’s office. The program provides scholarships for one year of study at universities in the U.S. Illinois companies have already donated to scholarship funds and provided internships to Brazilian students through the program.

_Hannah can be reached at [email protected]._