The federal government reactivated, through the Ministry of Science, Technology, Innovations and Communications (MCTIC), the granting of the National Order of Scientific and Technological Merit, the highest honor granted by the public authorities to national and international personalities who contributed to the development of science, technology and innovation in Brazil. The ceremony took place this Wednesday (17), at Palácio do Planalto, in Brasília (DF). Anibal Vercesi, Lauro Kubota, Oswaldo Luis Alves and Sara Teresina Olalla Saad were honored by Unicamp among 85 people. The honor covered professionals in areas such as mathematics, biology, health, social sciences, among other sectors of knowledge.
On the occasion, the Minister of Science, Technology, Innovations and Communications, Gilberto Kassab, highlighted the importance of the sector for the country's development. “This is a very special moment. It reestablishes a fair award that Brazil gives to the exponents of our research that are references throughout the world”.
President Michel Temer highlighted that science is an activity that requires “talent, study and perseverance”. He also highlighted that it represents a “very powerful instrument of progress” for the country. “The story of those honored here is one of achievements that should inspire everyone. Society can only benefit from scientists’ ideas and proposals,” he stated.
The National Order of Scientific and Technological Merit was established by Decree No. 772/1993 and has become the most important public sector award in the scientific and technological area. It is intended to honor characters who have made relevant contributions to science and stood out for their intellectual, academic and moral qualities.
The awarding of medals is being resumed after five years. The last ceremony of this type took place in 2013, with the awarding of recipients defined in 2010.
This year's recipients were chosen by a technical committee made up of nine members appointed by the chancellor, the Brazilian Academy of Sciences (ABC) and the Brazilian Society for the Progress of Science (SBPC). The group selected researchers in the areas of biological, biomedical, earth, mathematical, agricultural, chemical, mathematical, health, social and human, technological and engineering sciences.
There are also categories for national or foreign personalities, designed to reward people who, although not scientists, have contributed to the development of science and technology in Brazil.
Members of the Order receive a diploma and a set of pieces that make up the insignia, which can be of the Grand Cross or Commander degrees. The National Order of Scientific and Technological Merit also awards a silver medal to public and private bodies and entities that have provided relevant services in the field of science, technology and innovation.
Investments
The minister also highlighted the commitment of the federal government, in the form of the President of the Republic, Michel Temer, in supporting the financing of large scientific and technological research projects in the country. This, according to him, portrays the importance that the sector has in the economic recovery and in Brazil's insertion in the international sphere.
“You showed vision, involvement with the issue of science in Brazil. And, above all, you know that the path to resuming our growth involves investing in science, research and innovation,” he highlighted. “But we need more. The objective is to invest 2% of Brazilian GDP in science, research and innovation.”
The minister highlighted three emblematic examples of MCTIC's recent advances. The construction of the Sirius particle accelerator, which is under construction on the campus of the National Center for Research in Energy and Materials (CNPEM), in Campinas (SP); the launch into space of the Geostationary Defense and Strategic Communications Satellite (SGDC), in May 2017; and the recovery of the Comandante Ferraz Antarctic Station (EACF), which should be inaugurated in February 2019 and will serve as a base for scientists to develop their research on that continent.
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Unicamp professors are awarded the National Order of Scientific Merit
