There is already a long-standing history of collaboration between academics and students from the Scottish university and partners in education, business and government from various Latin American countries. The University anticipates its São Paulo offices will support those efforts and provide a useful operating base for all parties involved.
Essential issues like energy management, public health, economics and environmental studies are among those tackled by University of Edinburgh academics working in South America.
The opening of the Brazilian offices will be marked by 12 fully funded university scholarships awarded to talented South American students.
“I am proud to announce the opening of the Office of the Americas,” said Professor Sir Timothy O’Shea, principal of the University of Edinburgh.
“Edinburgh researchers are already working closely with partners across Latin America, helping address global issues such as climate change, health and economic development. The Office of the Americas will help us to extend this important work.”
The university has also organised a series of conferences to mark the opening of its South American office. Events in Sao Paulo will address a range of serious subjects, and will also take place in Santiago, Chile, and Mexico City.
In other Brazilian office space news, a recent Cushman & Wakefield report suggested that Rio de Janeiro saw a remarkable 43 per cent rise in the average asking price associated with its prime offices for 2012. The increase was the sharpest recorded anywhere in the world, making Rio the third most expensive city to rent office space.
Editor’s notes: In August 2024, the University of Edinburgh continued to maintain strong links with São Paulo and offered study abroad opportunities with The University of São Paulo (USP), Brazil’s largest public university.
As of October 2026, the University of Edinburgh’s study exchange with USP was still listed on its website.
In Savills’ Global Occupier Markets: Prime Office Costs – Q4 2025, Rio de Janeiro did not appear on the list of the 40 most expensive locations.