IMPA and Coppe sign agreement for computer science education.
IMPA and Coppe/UFRJ signed an academic, scientific and cultural cooperation agreement this Monday (8) that strengthens the integration between two institutions recognized for the quality of their scientific production and training. The agreement will allow students from IMPA Tech — the institute's undergraduate program — to take courses, work in laboratories and participate in research projects at Coppe, expanding the link between undergraduate and postgraduate studies.
Students enrolled in the Bachelor's degree in Mathematics of Technology and Innovation, with an emphasis on Computer Science, will be able to fulfill part of the six elective courses and 300 hours of supervised internship in programs at Coppe, especially in the Systems and Computer Engineering Program (PESC). The expectation is that the first classes will be attending classes at the UFRJ engineering center starting in March 2026.
The cooperation is two-way: Coppe professors will be able to offer courses at IMPA Tech, and undergraduate students from UFRJ affiliated with Coppe will have access to subjects offered by IMPA's undergraduate program.
According to IMPA's Director-General, Marcelo Viana, the partnership consolidates a natural movement between institutions that share academic excellence and scientific impact. “IMPA has opened an undergraduate program that attracts 100 of the best talents in the country every year. In computer science, we seek partnerships in Rio de Janeiro to enrich the academic offering, and Coppe was an obvious choice. This collaboration benefits both sides: our students will have access to Coppe's infrastructure and researchers, and Coppe's postgraduate program will receive brilliant students from more than 20 Brazilian states,” Viana highlighted.
Daniel Figueiredo, coordinator of PESC, emphasized that the agreement opens doors for even more ambitious advancements, such as a possible integrated master's degree model. In this format under study, the undergraduate thesis (TCC) of the IMPA Tech student would become the embryo of their future dissertation at Coppe, allowing them to complete their undergraduate and master's degrees in a continuous and accelerated path. “This agreement is the result of almost two years of joint work. We are very pleased to begin it in 2026, welcoming the first IMPA Tech students to our laboratories and courses. This strengthens both institutions and contributes to the training of highly qualified individuals, which the country so desperately needs,” stated Daniel Figueiredo.
The partnership brings concrete benefits to students, researchers, and the science and technology system in Brazil:
- For Coppe: attracting highly qualified students with a solid foundation in mathematics, scientific reasoning, and programming, thus driving the renewal of graduate programs.
- For IMPA Tech: expanding opportunities for practical and advanced training in computing and engineering, with access to Coppe's infrastructure and laboratories.
- For the country: training talent capable of working at the forefront of innovation in computing, driving national technological development.
Coppe's director, Suzana Kahn, emphasized the impact of the agreement on the training of new generations. “The development of new technologies demands integration and increasingly qualified training. This partnership strengthens both institutions, but above all, it benefits the new generation, which needs to be prepared for an increasingly technological and sophisticated world. It is a great satisfaction to celebrate this union,” she stated.
IMPA Tech's course coordinator, Nara Bobko, emphasizes that the agreement has a direct impact on the Computer Science education offered by the bachelor's degree program. “The agreement between IMPA Tech and Coppe will be very beneficial for both institutions. For us, in particular, it opens up very relevant opportunities for students specializing in Computer Science within our Bachelor's degree in Mathematics, Technology and Innovation.”
IMPA Tech annually selects 100 students from across the country for its multidisciplinary bachelor's degree in Mathematics of Technology and Innovation, offering student housing, a food allowance, and financial aid. Selection prioritizes performance in science olympiads and math scores on the ENEM (Brazilian National High School Exam). The selection process for the 2026 class is open. Applications must be completed by December 23rd. Check the announcement here.