UC Davis is saying "bem vindo" — Portuguese for welcome — to its newest students from Brazil.

The university this month enrolled the first 10 of up to 100 Brazilian students who could come here each year through agreements with two of the South American country's agencies for research and education.

The agreements — by which the Brazilian agencies are providing scholarships and fellowships for undergraduate, doctoral and postdoctoral students — are among the largest of UC Davis' 150 international agreements.

The agreements will help to diversify the campus community and add millions of dollars in tuition and fees that help to support UC Davis programs.

UC Davis signed the new agreements in the late fall with Brazil's Federal Agency for Support and Evaluation of Graduate Education, and its National Council for Scientific and Technological Development.

Eight undergraduates from Brazil are already engaged in coursework and research internships in the fields of computer science, computer engineering, nutrition and environmental management, in a program managed by the Center for International Education of UC Davis Extension. Two other students are here for doctoral studies.

The new agreements are for five years. Each year, they provide funding for:

• 30 undergraduates enrolled in nondegree studies for up to six months.
• 30 students enrolled in doctoral programs for up to a year.
• 20 students enrolled for their full doctoral program.
• 20 postdoctoral specialists for up to two years.

Brazilian institutions will reciprocate by providing spaces for 30 UC Davis undergraduates and 30 doctoral students. Details of those opportunities are still being worked out.

The agreements add to existing agreements with four Brazilian universities. Last year, UC Davis enrolled 24 Brazilian students.