Undergraduates Excel in Programming Competitions

At IMPA Tech, participation in science competitions is part of the students’ education. In addition to competition performance being a factor in the undergraduate admissions process, students continue to participate in academic challenges throughout their studies, putting into practice the knowledge they have gained in the classroom and through outreach projects. Recently, these students participated in programming competitions and stood out for their performance.

In June, the local round of the 28th Brazilian Informatics Olympiad (OBI) brought together 62 undergraduate students from the class of 2026 in the campus computer labs. Intended for high school students and first-year undergraduates, the Senior category of the competition is organized by the Brazilian Computer Society (SBC) and takes place in three stages: local, state, and national.

During the competition, participants solve algorithmic challenges using programming languages such as Python, C, C++, or Java. In addition to mastering the syntax, they must combine logical reasoning, creativity, and efficiency in developing solutions.

Student Stella Ventura participated in the OBI for the first time. “I really enjoyed the experience. I’ve always had a strong affinity for programming, but competitions like this motivate me to study even more. The atmosphere at IMPA Tech, in general, drives us to seek more knowledge and keeps us motivated. This type of university competition contributes directly to that,” she said.

For João Batista Silva, one of the competition’s unique features is precisely the way the problems are designed. “It was at IMPA Tech that I learned we need to go beyond algorithms. In the Programming course, for example, we learn not only about data structures and collections, but we also understand how they work, which allows us to determine when an implementation is efficient and when it isn’t,” he said.

The list of teams that have qualified for the second phase of the OBI—the state-level stage—will be announced shortly.

Five female students advance to the national round of the Women’s Programming Marathon

Before the OBI in May, the campus also hosted the first phase of the Women’s Programming Marathon (MFP). IMPA Tech served as the local host for the competition and welcomed 24 participants, 12 of whom were students from the institution.

Organized by the Brazilian Computer Society (SBC), with support from the Unicamp Institute of Computing, the marathon is aimed at students from high school through graduate school and seeks to increase female participation in computing. During the competition, participants solve eight algorithmic challenges in a collaborative environment.

The results were also impressive for IMPA Tech: five female students were among the 130 who qualified for the second round, which will be held in person at Unicamp on August 1 and 2.

Cristiane Magrinhos Sampaio is among them. “We’re very happy with the result. This year, the exam had a record number of participants, and we managed to qualify. It’s rewarding to see that all the dedication and time spent studying paid off. We’re excited for the second phase and hope to do well on the exam,” she said.

Débora Tami Yamato, Gabriela Naomi Ichicawa Ogido, Lisandra Menezes Fagundes, and Marce Alves da Silva will also represent IMPA Tech at the in-person stage. In addition to the competition, the finalists will participate in a technology immersion program featuring lectures, networking activities, and group exercises organized by partner companies.

July Celebrates the Science Olympics

Starting this year, July will be designated as National Month of Science and Knowledge Olympics. The date was established in January by Law No. 15,331/2026. According to the Brazilian Institute of Information on Science and Technology (Ibict), the country currently hosts about 130 academic competitions in various fields of knowledge, such as mathematics, natural sciences, astronomy, and history.

At IMPA Tech, these competitions are part of the students’ academic journey from the moment they enter the undergraduate program. The admissions process for the Bachelor’s degree in Mathematics, Technology, and Innovation takes into account candidates’ performance in five science Olympiads, including the Brazilian Public School Mathematics Olympiad (OBMEP). Together with OBMEP Mirim, the initiative reaches approximately 23 million participants nationwide, fostering an interest in mathematics and introducing young people to research, technology, and innovation.