In a letter addressed to the Ministry of Education (MEC), Unicamp expresses deep concern about the federal government's decision to cut resources in that department for 2019, a measure that will significantly affect the budget of the Coordination for the Improvement of Higher Education Personnel (Coordination for the Improvement of Higher Education Personnel) ( Capes), the main funder of scholarships for the University’s postgraduate programs. The document, signed by rector Marcelo Knobel, warns that, if the measure is confirmed, “the most likely outcome of these measures will be that the most productive portion of students and researchers at this University will have to interrupt or profoundly review research and training that it is carrying out in its laboratories and study groups”.
Unicamp's statement adds to countless others of the same content, released in recent days by entities and members of the Brazilian scientific community. According to the dean of Postgraduate Studies at Unicamp, professor André Furtado, if the federal government's willingness is confirmed, the country's entire science and technology system will be severely affected. “Brazilian science had already been suffering in recent years with the reduction of resources, but Capes remained preserved. Now, if the agency is also affected, the situation will certainly worsen”, he analyzes.
In relation specifically to Unicamp, Furtado informs, Capes finances 1.097 master's scholarships and another 1.769 doctorate scholarships, which represents 59% of the University's total scholarships. “Not to mention that Capes also finances other projects, including the cost area”, he recalls. The consequences of the announced cuts, adds the dean, will not only be perceived in the short and medium term, but also in the long term, which tends to compromise the efforts made so far for the development of national science.
Check out the full letter from Unicamp addressed to the MEC
