20/06/2024

Lucas Nissenbaum participates in a panel at the Energy Summit.

IMPA project scientist Lucas Nissenbaum participated in the “Energy Research” panel at the Energy Summit , this Wednesday (19), in Rio de Janeiro. The discussion addressed the necessary changes in teaching and research in Brazil to train the professionals of the future, especially in the areas of science, technology, engineering and mathematics – STEM, in the English acronym.

The tools and knowledge needed for today's job market and the appreciation of Brazilian professionals were also topics of discussion. In this sense, the creation of IMPA Tech , IMPA's first undergraduate program, was used as an example. With an interdisciplinary curriculum and practical classes in state-of-the-art laboratories, the undergraduate program in Mathematics of Technology and Innovation aims to train young people ready for the job market.

“The degree program was designed with a focus on modern training, aiming to prepare the professionals of the future. We want to empower students to use tools like machine learning , to have a strong understanding of computing, and to have mathematics as a fundamental basis for all these areas,” Nissenbaum emphasized.

The comprehensive program begins with a basic cycle of one and a half years. Following this, students choose from four areas of specialization: Mathematics, Data Science, Computer Science, and Physics. According to Nissenbaum, this curriculum will enable effective entry into the technology and innovation market. "Mathematics is the foundation for understanding both the field itself and for working on applications in related disciplines," he stated.

Romildo Toledo, director of the UFRJ technology park, and Marcelo Gattass, vice-rector of innovation at PUC-Rio, also participated in the debate, which addressed the technological revolution in science and the search for innovation in educational models.

IMPA Tech students were also invited to participate in the Energy Summit. Maria Eduarda Martins, an 18-year-old student from Teresina (PI), found the experience innovative. “I learned a lot at the event! I was able to attend different lectures on diverse topics. The debates on nuclear energy and green hydrogen were the ones I enjoyed the most. It was a very good experience, and I also got to visit the City of Arts, a very beautiful place in Rio de Janeiro,” she stated.

David Jonathas, a 19-year-old student from Mairiporã (SP), also took advantage of the debates and learned more about the innovation and energy market. “We had access to well-developed knowledge and ideas about companies, the market, and opportunities in the clean energy sector,” said the student. The Energy Summit is a global event in Rio de Janeiro. The panels and lectures are points of connection and discussion for the next steps in the energy transition and sustainability in the world. This year's edition took place between June 17th and 19th at Cidade das Artes. Learn more on the event website .