Coppe and Capes discuss the challenges and prospects of postgraduate education in Brazil

On July 30, Coppe/UFRJ welcomed Capes President Professor Denise Pires de Carvalho for a discussion on the challenges and prospects of Brazilian graduate education. A professor at Carlos Chagas Filho Institute of Biophysics (IBCCF) and the former rector of UFRJ, Denise presented the trends in the indicators of the National Graduate Studies System (SNPG) and discussed with Coppe faculty members recent changes in the criteria for awarding scholarships and in the methodology of Capes’ Quadrennial Evaluation.

According to Denise, the National Graduate Studies System experienced strong growth between 2000 and 2015, followed by a period of decline linked to the political, economic, and budgetary crises of the subsequent years. The system has been gradually recovering, and the trend in the number of new students at Coppe, according to data presented by Capes, mirrors the trend observed in the academic SNPG, which does not include professional master’s and doctoral programs.

The president of Capes also highlighted the growth in investments in graduate education and in Brazilian scientific output, but noted that one of the main challenges is to expand the transfer of this knowledge to the productive sector.

Requirements for training researchers

Among the issues raised by the professors was the need to ensure adequate conditions for training researchers. Professor Daniel Figueiredo, coordinator of the Systems Engineering and Computer Science Program, drew attention to the mismatch between current funding conditions and the level of dedication required by a doctoral program.

A questão, segundo ele, não se resume à recomposição do poder de compra das bolsas, mas envolve reconhecer que dedicar cerca de quatro anos à formação doutoral exige condições materiais compatíveis com esse investimento de tempo e de trajetória profissional.

Daniel também destacou que o custo de vida varia significativamente entre as diferentes regiões do país e que essa diferença já é considerada pela própria Capes em programas de formação no exterior. Para ele, o mesmo debate precisa ser feito em relação às condições oferecidas aos estudantes no Brasil, especialmente em grandes centros urbanos.

Data and academic management

Another topic discussed was the strategic use of data to monitor and improve graduate programs. Coppe’s Deputy Director for Academic Affairs, Professor Thiago Ritto, explained that the institution is redesigning its processes in collaboration with program coordinators, seeking to make more systematic use of the academic information produced internally.

“Coppe has always used data to inform its decisions, but this use has been sporadic. Now, we are seeking to make it more systematic and institutional, integrating it more closely with data collected and provided by our programs,” explained Coppe’s Deputy Director, Professor Marcello Campos.

He also highlighted the potential of the Quality Management Office (Coppe Q)–which is already involved in certifying the institution’s laboratories–to support graduate programs in adopting standards of management and academic excellence.

International cooperation

International cooperation was also on the agenda. Professor Carla Cipolla, from the Production Engineering Program, expressed concern about the disruption of partnerships and research networks built up over the years with European institutions, some of which were co-funded by state research support foundations. 

Denise stated that she will seek to facilitate a dialogue between Capes, CNPq, and the European Union to discuss the co-funding of Brazil-EU research networks and prevent unequal treatment among Brazilian states.

The meeting provided an opportunity for Capes to present changes and prospects for the national graduate education system while, at the same time, allowing Coppe to raise issues directly with Capes related to training conditions, academic management, and the sustainability of its research and collaborative networks.

In addition to Coppe’s Deputy Director, Professor Marcello Campos, and the Deputy Director for Academic Affairs, Professor Thiago Ritto, coordinators and representatives from Coppe’s 13 academic programs participated in the meeting.