24/04/2024

TV Brasil demonstrates the importance of mathematics for the economy.

The importance of mathematics for the Brazilian economy was the subject of a report on TV Brasil , on Monday (22). The report showed how the area has been gaining importance for advances in technology and innovation, such as artificial intelligence and business intelligence. Mathematics can be a tool to combat complex social problems, such as climate and humanitarian crises.

Itaú Social, in partnership with IMPA, conducted a groundbreaking study to assess the impact of mathematics on the Brazilian economy. The study's results revealed that the earnings of professionals working in mathematics-related fields accounted for 4.6% of the country's GDP between 2012 and 2023.

Marcelo Viana, director-general of IMPA, spoke about the impacts of other research around the world. “There are several studies that have been done in countries like the United Kingdom, France, and the Netherlands, which show that in these countries mathematics is currently producing between 16 and 18% of the Gross Domestic Product (GDP). When I talk about mathematics, I'm talking about its applications in all areas,” he stated.

In 2022, UNESCO also highlighted the importance of mathematicians in solving contemporary problems, as shown in the publication " Mathematics for Action: Supporting Science-Based Decision Making" . The study was cited in the article.

Cristiano Ferraz, technology director at Netcon Brasil, highlighted the most sought-after profile in the Brazilian market. “A mathematician with a strong background, either postgraduate studies, independent study, or published work in computer science. They need to understand computer science; if they know programming, even better, because there is a very high demand for mathematicians who know programming,” he stated.

In this context, IMPA Tech's innovative and interdisciplinary curriculum stands out. Students have theoretical and practical classes to study Algebra, Programming, English, Language Skills, among other subjects. The undergraduate degree in Mathematics of Technology and Innovation aims to equip students to effectively enter the job market. The course begins with a basic cycle of one and a half years. Following this, students choose from four areas of emphasis: Mathematics, Computer Science, Data Science, and Physics.

The report also showed that employability for those who graduate in mathematics is high, as are the chances of career growth. According to the Brazilian Association of Information and Communication Technology Companies, Brazil places approximately 53,000 new mathematicians on the market annually. However, there are shortcomings in the country's basic education system. The latest publication from the Programme for International Student Assessment (PISA), from 2022, shows that 73% scored below the minimum required in mathematics.

Speaking to TV Brasil, Marcelo Viana defended the importance of the subject in the basic education of Brazilian students. "Access to mathematical knowledge and the use of mathematical tools, such as basic operations, interest, and logic, are minimum conditions for citizenship that are as important as literacy," he concluded.