Common Root: project brings students together in conversation circles

16/6/2025

IMPA Tech’s Psychopedagogical Support Center (NAP) is launching a new project: Common Root. The initiative brings together students with similar experiences in a welcoming conversation circle. The first meeting was held last Thursday (12) and was attended by 10 undergraduate students.

“We conceived this project with the aim of bringing together students who analyze similar experiences, creating a space of mutual identity where these experiences are recognized, collected and shared. This exchange not only relieves the possible emotional burden of everyday university life, but also contributes to a sense of belonging and promotes collective empowerment in the university environment,” explained NAP psychologist Tamara Santos.

The name Common Root was not chosen by chance, but because of its double meaning. In mathematics, “root” represents the base or origin of a number, while “common” refers to what is shared, to the collective. “The name symbolizes the idea of a meeting point, where students share challenges, learning and solutions, strengthening bonds of mutual support together,” added Tamara.

Student Eliani Beloni, 27, was one of those selected for the first edition of the project and enjoyed taking part in the activity. “We shared our experiences, what brought us to IMPA Tech and what it’s like to deal with the current routine and challenges. A very nice exchange of experiences!” she said.

Before coming to Rio de Janeiro, Eliani graduated in Pure Mathematics from Ibilce/Unesp in São José do Rio Preto (SP) and began a master’s degree in the same field at Unicamp. For her, the bachelor’s degree in Mathematics of Technology and Innovation is an opportunity to deepen her contact with the practical applications of mathematics. “It’s a very different experience to the one I’ve had on an exact sciences course. IMPA Tech seeks to develop not only the analytical side, but also the social and communication side, essential skills for those who are going to pursue the academic area, as well as the corporate area,” said Eliani.

For the student, the main challenge is to reconcile her study routine with other personal activities, such as looking after her three-year-old son. “My main challenges at the moment are: maintaining the consistency and quality of the time I dedicate to my studies and my interactions with my family, husband and son, whom I try to see every weekend,” she said.

Eliani is in the second year of her bachelor’s degree and is excited about the new challenges. “I feel happy and fulfilled to be part of IMPA’s first graduating class and I can’t wait to start doing my internships so I can experience in practice what my day-to-day work will be like.”

Lucas Vieira, 18, also took part in the activity. He is a student in class 2025 and came from Araçuaí (MG). “I think this kind of meeting is very important, because all of us, IMPA Tech students, are starting our lives again – from someone more experienced, who is in their second degree, to people who have just finished high school. It’s great to know that we share the same feelings that arise from this change. This exchange of experiences helps us adapt to this new phase,” he said.

For Lucas, being part of IMPA’s degree program is the realization of a dream: “I think I wanted IMPA Tech even before it existed: a degree that unites mathematics and technology so intensely, offers a comfortable life to its students and, on top of that, is in the hands of the most renowned mathematics institution in Latin America.”

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