IMPA Tech is a ‘bicycle goal’, says Lula at inauguration

02/04/2024

President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva and Mayor Eduardo Paes inaugurated IMPA Tech, the first undergraduate course at IMPA (Institute of Pure and Applied Mathematics), on Tuesday. Alongside the Minister of Education, Camilo Santana, and the Minister of Science, Technology and Innovation, Luciana Santos, the President celebrated the start of the academic year of the Bachelor’s Degree in Mathematics of Technology and Innovation.

“Education is not a privilege for the rich. It’s a right for everyone. It’s not an expense, it’s an investment. We want our young people to study here, to be masters here and doctors here. Today, we are scoring a ‘bicycle goal’ in Rio de Janeiro. The world needs education,” said the president.

Strategically located in Porto Maravalley, the city’s innovation hub, and housed in a building completely renovated by Rio’s city hall, students will study in an environment surrounded by startups and technology companies, contributing to the development of new technologies. According to IMPA’s director-general, Marcelo Viana, “this is not just any degree”.

“Inserted in this space of innovation, it will train young people at a high level for practical action in solving the problems of Brazil, its companies and its authorities. To change the world through mathematics! We will offer the expertise of IMPA and its professors, as well as support for subsistence and housing, so that they can carry out their studies in the best conditions. And we will support the graduates in their professional integration, both in the job market and in postgraduate studies.”

The Minister of Education, Camilo Santana, highlighted the innovative environment of the degree. “Here we’re going to bring together Innovation, Science, Technology, a future high-tech job market and artificial intelligence. We’ll have startups and fintechs, we’re going to turn this into the great Silicon Valley,” said Santana.

The Minister of Technology, Luciana Santos, also emphasized the differential of the degree. “Our excellence comes from diversity. I see this as an explosive combination of the public sector, academia and industry.”

The mayor of Rio, Eduardo Paes, who is responsible for the construction work and for housing the students, said that he made part of the speech with the help of Chat GPT and reinforced the importance of technology and Artificial Intelligence today. “Every day, STEM subjects emerge as fundamental pillars for sustainable development. They underpin a robust and diversified economy. Mathematics offers tools to analyze and solve complex problems in all fields. A population with a strong mathematical background is better prepared to face the challenge of the future.”

With funding from the federal government, IMPA Tech will receive up to 100 students in 2024 and will have investments of R$18.7 million in the first year, R$32.3 million in the second year, R$46.4 million in the third year and R$60.9 million for up to 400 students.

Master Class with André Street and Auana Mattar

This Wednesday (3), IMPA Tech starts classes. To begin the academic year, the undergraduate program will welcome André Street, co-founder and president of Stone, and Auana Mattar, Chief Information Officer (CIO) of TIM, for the Inaugural Master Class. The guests will talk to the students about their careers, new technologies, entrepreneurship and innovation. The aim is to introduce students to a stimulating environment in which to create and innovate.

The undergraduate program has students from different states in Brazil. To attract students, IMPA Tech offers student accommodation for those over 18, thanks to a partnership with Rio’s City Hall, a food allowance of R$1,290, as well as a R$500 grant.

The students’ selection process took into account their performance in five knowledge olympiads, such as the OBMEP (Brazilian Public School Mathematics Olympiad), the largest in Brazil with more than 18 million participants, and their Enem math score, as well as virtual interviews.

With a duration of four years, the bachelor’s degree in Mathematics of Technology and Innovation begins with a basic cycle of one and a half years. Students then choose between four emphases: Mathematics, Computer Science, Data Science and Physics.

Read more: IMPA Tech to hold Inaugural Lecture on April 3

See also: IMPA Tech issues new call for students for remaining vacancies