Retrospective 2024: President Lula inaugurated IMPA’s undergraduate program

19/12/2024

In 2024, the first degree program of the Institute of Pure and Applied Mathematics (IMPA) became a reality. The project was unveiled back in 2022, when the Porto Maravalley innovation hub was announced by Rio de Janeiro City Hall. This year, the idea materialized and more than 80 students from the five Brazilian regions moved to the port area of the capital of Rio de Janeiro to begin their bachelor’s degree in Mathematics of Technology and Innovation.

“Bicycle goal”

In April, President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva and Mayor Eduardo Paes attended the inauguration ceremony of IMPA Tech. Alongside the Minister of Education, Camilo Santana, and the Minister of Science, Technology and Innovation, Luciana Santos, President Lula defended Brazilian higher education. “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,” he said.

First class

With different accents, the students of the first IMPA Tech class have landed in Rio de Janeiro. Classes are held full-time at Porto Maravalley, in modern and technological classrooms, with computer labs and physics labs where practical classes take place.

With the proposal to become a hub for technology and innovation, Porto Maravalley began in 2024 to sign partnerships with companies to be neighbors of the baccalaureate in the 10,000 m² warehouse.

IMPA Tech on social media

The start of undergraduate classes marked the debut of IMPA Tech’s own Instagram and Twitter profiles. The idea is to communicate closely with students, teachers and future candidates for the bachelor’s degree.

2025 selection process now open

IMPA Tech is 100% free and welcomes applicants from all regions of Brazil. Successful students receive financial aid, student accommodation, and air and ground transportation to begin their academic activities in Rio de Janeiro.

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

The selection process reserves 80% of the places for medal winners from five knowledge olympiads: OBMEP, OBM, OBFEP, OBQ and OBI. The rest of the places go to students who performed well in the ENEM (National High School Exam) math test.

Applications for the new academic year 2025 are open on the IMPA Tech website until 5pm on December 27.

Read more: ‘One of the best opportunities in Brazil’, says IMPA Tech student
See also: IMPA Tech opens selection process to hire teachers