IMPA director-general meets with governor of Piauí
Viana and Fonteles discussed possible partnerships in the area of mathematics and technology
13/2/2025
The director-general of IMPA, Marcelo Viana, met on Thursday (13) with the governor of Piauí, Rafael Fonteles, who holds a master’s degree from IMPA. The purpose of the meeting was to establish the first steps towards a partnership that will boost the state’s educational development, in line with Piauí’s recent initiatives in the area of technology and innovation.
The state government has promoted significant reforms in education, starting with secondary education and, more recently, in higher education, with the creation of the Piauí Institute of Technology (PIT). Maintained by Investe Piauí, the institution focuses on cutting-edge technology, innovation and entrepreneurship. The PIT offers courses in the exact sciences, engineering, technology and mathematics, with an emphasis on entrepreneurship. IMPA’s director attended a presentation on the use of Artificial Intelligence connected to Education.
“I was very impressed with the presentation that was made about the profound reform, almost a revolution, that is being carried out throughout Piauí’s education system and also in promoting innovation and development,” said Viana.
With a master’s degree in Mathematical Economics from IMPA in 2007, Fonteles is familiar with the institute’s international reputation in research and postgraduate studies. The president of FAPEPI (Piauí Research Support Foundation), João Xavier da Cruz, who holds a master’s degree from IMPA, was also present.
The focus of the meeting was on initiatives in basic education and higher education, such as the OBMEP (Brazilian Public School Mathematics Olympiad), the largest scientific Olympiad in the country, and IMPA Tech, the degree program inaugurated last year in Rio de Janeiro. IMPA Tech offers a bachelor’s degree in Mathematics for Technology and Innovation, a pioneering degree that prepares students to effectively enter the job market. Based in Porto Maravalley, a technology hub developed by the city council, the degree offers a curriculum of excellence with a strong connection to the economic sector.
“Mathematics has always been extremely important in terms of science, in terms of technology, even in terms of economic and social development. But this is more visible today, partly because of the prominence that artificial intelligence is assuming in all sectors of activity. Mathematics is at the basis of this new knowledge and represents opportunities,” said Viana.
IMPA’s director-general also met Micaele Magalhães, a former student at Ceti Inês da Rocha-Piracuruca, who was approved for IMPA Tech. A multiple OBMEP winner, she is the second student from the Piauí state school system to be approved for the institution. She was also approved for Mechatronics Engineering at the State University of Campinas (Unicamp); Physics at the Federal University of Piauí (UFPI) and Mathematics at the Federal University of Delta do Parnaíba (UFDPar), the Federal Institute of Piauí and the Getúlio Vargas Foundation.
“Micaele is going to be a student at IMPA Tech, this benchmark in math teaching. I had the opportunity to study at IMPA for my master’s degree. I know the quality of the professionals. I’m here receiving a visit from IMPA’s director-general, Professor Marcelo Viana, to discuss possible partnerships,” said the governor of Piauí.
