Interaction between students marks the beginning of the celebrations of Coppe’s Electrical Engineering Program’s 60th anniversary

The Electrical Engineering Program at Coppe/UFRJ (PEE) held its inaugural class of 2026 on March 2nd, an event that officially marked the beginning of the celebrations for the program’s 60th anniversary.

More than just presenting institutional information, the meeting highlighted the exchange of experiences between different generations of students, bringing together new students and more experienced researchers in a welcoming and academically integrated environment.

One of the key moments was the conversation led by senior students, who shared their journeys in the program — including participation in research projects, scientific congresses and international experiences, such as research periods at universities abroad and joint doctoral studies.

Half of the new students present at the event did not pursue their undergraduate studies at UFRJ, reinforcing the importance of integration moments like this at the beginning of their academic journey.

Tips from the ones who are already on their path

During the event, senior students Lucas Airam de Souza, Marcel Mendes and Túlio Resende also shared some practical guidance for those starting out in the program:

• Choosing subjects: planning your schedule well at the beginning can help you better organize your academic path.
• Study groups: studying together facilitates learning and strengthens collaborative networks.
• Building friendships: academic and personal relationships are an important part of the graduate experience.
• Research topic: the choice is usually made in dialogue with the supervisor, but both the student’s initiative and proactivity make a difference in the process.

Creativity, innovation and new challenges

The program also included a lecture by Professor Edson Watanabe, from PEE, on creativity and innovation in scientific research. He highlighted the importance of researchers remaining attentive to the unknown — a space where new ideas and solutions emerge.

The professor also addressed the use of generative artificial intelligence in research, warning of the need for responsible use of the tool, as it can lead to situations of unintentional plagiarism if used without due care.

During the meeting, Coppe/UFRJ’s vice-director, Marcello Campos, emphasized that, through its innovation ecosystem, the institution offers support to students who wish to take their research to the most advanced levels of technological innovation, supporting projects that can reach high stages of maturity and application in the market.

Six decades of contribution

The inaugural lecture opened a special agenda throughout 2026 dedicated to celebrating the 60th anniversary of the Electrical Engineering Program, one of the most traditional at Coppe and responsible for training generations of researchers who have contributed to the scientific, technological and energy development of Brazil.

Currently, the program brings together 162 master’s students, 128 doctoral students and 29 postdoctoral researchers. Throughout its history, 500 doctoral theses and 1,677 master’s dissertations have been defended.

🎥 Watch the full video of the inaugural lecture on Coppe’s Electrical Engineering Program’s YouTube channel.