Lula accredits IMPA as an institute of Higher Education.
President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva approved this Wednesday (5) the accreditation of IMPA (Institute of Pure and Applied Mathematics) as a Higher Education institution. The accreditation authorizes the start of activities at IMPA Tech , the institute's first undergraduate course. Alongside the Minister of Education, Camilo Santana, and the Minister of Science, Technology and Innovation, Luciana Santos, the president celebrated the opening of the selection process for the Bachelor's degree in Mathematics of Technology and Innovation.
"Brazil is the country that produces the most lawyers in the world. Nothing against that, but we need more training in mathematics, engineering, physics—essential courses for the development of a nation so that we can be more competitive," said the president.
The event, held at the Fairmont Hotel in Copacabana, Rio de Janeiro, was attended by the governor, Cláudio Castro, the mayor of Rio, Eduardo Paes, and the director-general of IMPA, Marcelo Viana, as well as other authorities.
Free and innovative, the Bachelor's degree in Mathematics of Technology and Innovation will be offered at Porto Maravalley – a technology hub run by the City Hall that will bring together, in addition to the university, startups and technology companies, creating a unique environment for students.
"What we're going to do with IMPA Tech is take everyone in Brazil who performs well and give them a scholarship to study for free here in Rio. The young people in Brazil who put in the effort and work hard will have opportunities," highlighted Paes, who added that the city is buying about 70 apartments next to the university to serve as housing for the students.
The course begins in April 2024 and will serve up to 100 students in the first year, with an investment of R $ 16.7 million. Each year, the number of students grows: the second year will have 200 students and an investment of R $ 29.2 million; the third, 300 students and R $ 41.7 million; and the fourth year will have 400 students and R $ 55.9 million.
Viana addressed the importance of investing in mathematics for the country's development. “We are going to create a degree program that is not only free, but also offers assistance, accommodation, food, housing, and support to students. This will make it accessible to any qualified young person in Brazil. Mathematics is capable of generating significant wealth. Studies show that it generates between 15% and 20% of the GDP (Gross Domestic Product) of countries like the United Kingdom and France.”
Minister Camilo Santana highlighted the innovative nature of the project. "It will be a course to take advantage of the great talents of young people who participate in mathematics olympiads here in Brazil. We will unite academia with companies and the world of work," he declared.
The Minister of Science, Technology and Innovation, Luciana Santos, celebrated the importance of OBMEP (Brazilian Mathematics Olympiad for Public Schools) in the education of thousands of students. “Currently, those who win a medal in OBMEP can participate in the Junior Scientific Initiation Program and compete for scholarships in undergraduate courses. The Olympiads reveal talents, stimulate studies and interest in knowledge. And now, students who excel will be able to guarantee the continuation of their education at this great mathematics institute, IMPA.”
Selection Process
For 2024, the competition will use students' performance in knowledge olympiads or the ENEM (National High School Exam). Up to 80 places will be offered to students who have won medals at certain levels in the OBMEP (Brazilian Mathematics Olympiad for Public Schools) ; the OBM (Brazilian Mathematics Olympiad); the OBQ (Brazilian Chemistry Olympiad); the OBF (Brazilian Physics Olympiad); and the OBI (Brazilian Informatics Olympiad). According to the announcement, each medal will guarantee a different score in the IMPA Tech selection process. Another 20 places will be available for candidates with the best performance in Mathematics in the ENEM (National High School Exam).
Applications for the undergraduate program must be submitted through the website impatech.impa.br by December 28th.
About IMPA
The institute is an internationally renowned research and postgraduate center in mathematics, offering doctoral, master's, and professional master's programs. It also organizes the OBMEP (Brazilian Mathematics Olympiad for Public Schools), the world's largest scientific olympiad in terms of participants. With its undergraduate programs, IMPA consolidates itself as an institution of higher education excellence, disseminating mathematics and training professionals of a high academic level.