Seeking new forms of funding, strengthening participation in national and international research networks, and reinforcing affirmative action. These are some of the actions adopted by the Pro-Rectorate for Graduate Studies (PRGP) at Unicamp, according to an assessment made by Pro-Rector Claudia Morelli in the first year of her administration.
“I believe that one of the hallmarks [of the administration] so far has been the pursuit of a more strategic PRPG (Postgraduate Studies Program) in the national and international arena, integrated and close to the programs,” she said. “We seek to strengthen a contemporary vision of postgraduate studies, in which academic excellence goes hand in hand with internationalization, inclusion, social impact, and qualified training of human resources,” she added.
This year, PRPG announced the opening of applications for a new international mobility project, aimed at master's and doctoral students who entered the university through affirmative action programs. "The proposal for this program arose precisely from the understanding that internationalization also needs to be inclusive," says the professor.
Morelli explains that, historically, many students who enter through affirmative action programs face additional barriers to accessing international opportunities. The program's objective is to help reduce these inequalities and broaden access to international academic experiences.
“Beyond the individual impact on students, we believe that the initiative also contributes to making the internationalization of the university more diverse, representative, and institutionally richer,” he assesses.
Morelli believes there have been other important advances in this process. According to her, internationalization has ceased to be seen merely as a one-off action and has begun to be treated increasingly strategically and institutionally.
This year, Unicamp was awarded funding through the Capes-Global program – a Brazilian federal government program focused on promoting internationalization and scientific collaboration in postgraduate studies – through the SustentNET network, which brings together universities from different regions of the country around the theme 'Sustainability and Impact on Territories: Strategic Intersections'.
The SustentNET network integrates different areas of knowledge in strategic themes related to sustainability, health, human rights, innovation, biodiversity, and territorial transformation. Unicamp leads the network, which is integrated by the State University of Amazonas (UEA), the State University of Feira de Santana (UEFS), the State University of Santa Catarina (UDESC), and the State University of Mato Grosso (UNEMAT).
Academic area
In the academic field, Morelli identifies a strengthening of the vision of transversal disciplines linked to PRPG, allowing access to students from different graduate programs, beyond the specificities of their areas.
“This semester we started this movement with the course 'Path of Knowledge and Innovation', focused on innovation. We have plans for two more strategic courses to complement the training of our students, especially on topics considered increasingly relevant to contemporary postgraduate studies,” he reveals.
The professor also warns that it is necessary to attract foreign students and facilitate double degree and joint supervision agreements. "We have to bring in students from abroad, but to do that, we need to increase the number of courses taught in English," she points out.
Processes
The Vice-Rector believes there has been progress on other fronts during this period. According to her, the body promoted the review and improvement of internal PRPG processes. For example, with GoPG – a postgraduate data integration tool that improves communication between the university and the Coordination for the Improvement of Higher Education Personnel (Capes).
Morelli points out that, although the Unicamp-Capes agreement was signed during the previous administration, the organization and implementation are happening now, with support from the Unicamp Data and Transformation Support Office (EDAT).
The idea is to facilitate the work of coordinators and bring more security to the programs regarding the information sent to Capes through the Sucupira Platform – the database and management system for postgraduate studies in Brazil.
Challenges
Among the challenges for the coming years, the pro-rector mentions the search for new sources of funding for postgraduate studies. She says that a Working Group (WG) has been set up exclusively for this purpose and should present a proposal in the coming weeks.
“Maintaining the quality of programs, student retention, internationalization, and the very capacity for innovation depend directly on consistent funding and support policies from different spheres,” argues Morelli.
“Furthermore, I believe we will face a growing challenge related to digital transformation, the ethical and productive use of artificial intelligence, and the increased availability of courses taught in English,” he adds.
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