‘IMPA Tech is a unique opportunity’, says student Mariana Yoshioka

Mariana Yoshioka, 18, was accepted at seven universities, but chose IMPA’s undergraduate program in Mathematics of Technology and Innovation to pursue her academic and professional future. In addition to IMPA Tech, the young woman went on to study Mathematics at USP, UNESP, UFSCar, UEAP and UNIFAP, and Medicine at UFPA. A student in class 2025, Mariana has no regrets about her choice. “IMPA Tech is a unique opportunity, both for the grants and for the network and community we create here,” she says.

Born in Londrina (PR), the student grew up in Macapá (AP) from the age of 2, where she studied until the end of high school and became close to initiatives in the area of exact sciences, such as the OBMEP (Brazilian Public School Math Olympics) and the PIC (Jr. Scientific Initiation Program). “I’ve always liked Mathematics and was thinking of studying Engineering, but because of OBMEP I discovered new possibilities, such as Pure Mathematics and Data Science.”

Even though she had other degree options, Mariana chose IMPA Tech mainly because of IMPA’s international reputation and the excellence of its postgraduate programs. “When I started researching what a mathematician does on a daily basis, I had already decided that I would like to do a postgraduate degree at IMPA, but then IMPA Tech came along and being approved for the degree became my goal.”

Graduating in March this year, Mariana highlights the practical classes as a distinguishing feature of her bachelor’s degree. “The course assistants help us a lot. As well as exchanging ideas with people who are already at a higher level, where we want to go, it’s also good to better understand the subjects covered in class.”

A multiple OBMEP winner, the student won her place at IMPA Tech through the medals she won in the scientific competition. “I think the proposal for the selection process is very good and has a wider reach, encompassing students from all over Brazil.”

In addition to her classes, Mariana actively participates in after-school activities, such as workshops run by the NCE (Careers and Internships Center) and activities run by the NAP (Psychopedagogical Support Center). “These events are great. It’s an opportunity to mature emotionally, network and develop. soft skills.”

In Rio de Janeiro, she lives in the student accommodation offered in partnership with the city council, where she socializes with other young people from all over the country. “We learn about different cultures and set up study groups to have more direct exchanges, especially during exam periods.”

For the student, the financial and food aid also make a difference to her day-to-day life. “We have lots of opportunities, we live next door and the grants help us a lot. IMPA Tech is a good network both for you to have a good quality of study and to make contacts in the field of exact sciences. In addition, there are the companies that are based in the hub.”

For the future, the student plans to follow the Mathematics emphasis, but without leaving interdisciplinarity aside. IMPA Tech has a one-year basic cycle and then students choose between four emphases: Mathematics, Data Science, Physics and Computer Science. In addition to the common subjects between the areas, the curriculum includes electives and humanities subjects, such as Language Skills, English and a Chinese course, offered in partnership with the Confucius Institute at PUC-Rio.

The undergraduate campus is in Porto Maravalley, a technology hub located in Rio de Janeiro’s port area, which is home to 70 companies and 45 resident startups, creating an environment of innovation and collaboration between academia and the job market.

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