This Monday morning (17), Unicamp received a visit from state deputy Wellington Moura (PRB), president of the Finance, Budget and Planning Committee of the Legislative Assembly of the State of São Paulo (Alesp). Moura also chairs the Parliamentary Commission of Inquiry (CPI), created by Alesp “with the purpose of investigating irregularities in the management of public universities in the State, especially regarding the use of the transfer of public funds”. The parliamentarian was received by the rector Marcelo Knobel, by the general coordinator of the University, Teresa Atvars, and by members of the Central Administration.
During the meeting, Knobel gave a quick presentation of the University, highlighting some data on structure and productivity indicators. The rector also highlighted the importance of public universities, Unicamp in particular, in different aspects, including the generation of new knowledge through research, the training of qualified human resources and the provision of services to society, notably through of the health sector.
Knobel also cited the positive economic impacts provided by Unicamp's so-called daughter companies, businesses created by former students or former professors of the institution. According to a survey released at the end of 2018, this ecosystem is made up of 701 companies, which generate 30 thousand direct jobs and jointly earned R$4,8 billion that year, more than double the University's budget, in the order of R$ 2,385 billion, coming from the State Treasury.
Despite the budgetary difficulties faced by Unicamp, the dean pointed out, administrative and academic activities were not affected. “We adopted cost containment measures and continued to fulfill our mission with the same standard of excellence. It is important that society knows that the University is part of the State and that it makes every effort to contribute to the development of both São Paulo and Brazil”, stated Knobel.
Deputy Moura said that he came to Unicamp to learn more about the institution and to obtain information about how the University works. “We received some important clarifications. At the end of this month, the rector will be heard at the CPI, to inform the members of the Commission how Unicamp is doing, whether it needs resources or whether these resources are sufficient. We asked some questions, so that we know what to ask at that time. I think my arrival was very gratifying, as we were able to better understand what the University spends on teachers, retirees and the health sector. The purpose is to make universities work better and better,” he declared.
