The new director of the Institute of Philosophy and Human Sciences (IFCH) at Unicamp took office this Monday, August 4, for the four-year period 2025-2029. Professor Ronaldo Rômulo Machado de Almeida, from the area of anthropology, is the new director and Sávio Machado Cavalcante, from sociology, is the new associate director.
The formal session, attended by faculty, staff, and students, packed the Fausto Castilho Auditorium. The new administration succeeds Professor Andréia Galvão, of political science, and Professor Michel Nicolau Netto, of sociology. Galvão was the first to speak and highlighted the achievements of her administration, which began in 2021, amid the COVID-19 pandemic. "We accomplished more than we imagined, but less than we would have liked. Being in office during the pandemic was a challenge," she commented.
The new director began his speech by praising the previous administration's "seriousness, vigilance, and sensitivity." "We welcomed IFCH with open arms, an institute that offers excellent undergraduate programs and a significant postgraduate program on the national stage."
Regarding his new mission, Almeida emphasized: "What does it mean to lead the IFCH? It's about developing listening and communication. It's not about ordering, but rather having the power to convene. To do this, you need to convince. To use the buzzword, generate engagement."
The new director also highlighted the IFCH's importance in public debate: "The global agenda passes through here. I'd like to talk about Brazil and the world. The world isn't simple. IFCH has something to investigate and share about it." Among his proposals are holding seminars with professors from different departments and further internationalizing the institute to attract more foreign students.
Rector Paulo Cesar Montagner, who chaired the formal session, highlighted IFCH's "plural, inclusive, and inspiring culture." "Since its founding, the institute has always been a benchmark. Its work transcends borders and provokes profound reflection, with its solid humanistic foundation, rigorous ethical commitment, and social accessibility by combining technical knowledge with critical thinking," he stated.
"The IFCH, through its academic output, demonstrates the importance of dialogue between different fields [of knowledge] and is a privileged space against the trivialization of knowledge. I reiterate the rector's commitment to strengthening the institute," the rector added.
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