The Camões Centre for Portuguese Language
- Group summary: The Camões Institute (IC) is the Portuguese agency for external cultural and educational policy. Its purpose is to promote Portuguese culture and language, as well as Lusophone cultures in general, at University level.
- Website: http://ahc.leeds.ac.uk/camoes-centre-portuguese-language-0
The IC teaches Portuguese through 175 Higher Education Institutions, in Leitorados and Chairs to more than 30,000 students. It pays or supports 200 teachers and awards 90 scholarships for courses in Portuguese Culture and Language.
The Institute's designation (Camões Institute) pays homage to one of the most renowned poets of Portuguese literature, Luís Vaz de Camões (1524/25 - 1580), author of the epic poem The Lusiads, whose main theme is the discovery of the sea route to India by Vasco da Gama.