Science in Brazil has great potential to grow, despite financial challenges and political uncertainties. This is the assessment of researchers from the thematic project Integrated Photonic Devices (iPhD) at Unicamp, in partnership with Mackenzie University. Infrastructure and attracting talent from other countries were highlighted as the main challenges for research and development in optical communications. The exchange of professionals would strengthen the scientific environment in research centers in Brazil.
For the iPhD coordinator, Professor Newton Frateschi, although Brazil trains scientists with a high level of qualification, one of the factors that impact growth is the attraction of personnel. Frateschi is in favor of investing in wide-ranging scientific infrastructure, such as international technology parks, which allocate diverse groups to the same research area. The result is a complete and highly specialized environment. “These networks can establish the atmosphere we need to boost research in Brazil.” In addition to being more attractive to foreign professionals, a structure like the one you propose would also favor the laboratory maintenance process. “In Brazil, when a piece of equipment has problems, it can take months to fix it”, reports the professor.
Unicamp has a privileged space in its Scientific and Technological Park, in campus from Campinas. There are dozens of companies and startups in partnership with the University and other cutting-edge research institutes in the region, such as CNPEM (National Center for Research in Energy and Materials), the Eldorado Institute and CPqD (Center for Research and Development in Telecommunications). Such research mobilizes hundreds of professionals from different areas. However, according to Frateschi, despite being a national reference, there is still not enough density to attract international suppliers of technological equipment and services.
Having worked as a researcher in the United States, Frateschi recalls: “In California, there is a dynamic atmosphere around professional support for research. A network of suppliers and professionals guarantees the infrastructure and maintenance of spaces, and thus the resources necessary for research are much more efficient. Delivery of inputs, repairs and technical support, everything is made available quickly. This is due to the strong demand for research and development parks, both from academia and industry. It is an ecosystem like this that we should try to establish in several areas, in particular in Photonics, with our iPhD”.
Strength in human resources and tradition
Brazil has qualifications that facilitate immersion in the scientific atmosphere. Professor Thiago Alegre points out Unicamp's history, which stands out in research into optical devices. “Unicamp is one of the pioneers in studies in this field”, he says. The iPhD, among other projects, continues a tradition of research in Photonics that provides a favorable environment, attracting foreign students. “Thanks to this tradition, we also achieved a very solid infrastructure for the laboratories. It allows us to develop a series of important procedures – from design to testing new devices”, says the professor.
Another positive point is the qualification of Unicamp students and professionals, with a profile for comprehensive training, interest in research and dedication to academic work. For Professor Gustavo Wiederhecker, Unicamp's tradition attracted a group of people with experience in Photonics capable of conducting studies with international standards. “In science, it’s not just about providing infrastructure. It is essential to strengthen the policy of training and attracting qualified professionals, who are in our laboratories evaluating the results”.
Political paradoxes
Despite the evident increase in technological demand, Brazilian science faces a scenario of reduced investments, in a financial situation considered critical. The Federal Government's budget project for 2022 is insufficient to compensate for the losses of recent years. The budget of the National Council for Scientific and Technological Development (CNPq) remains stagnant at around R$1,3 billion, with less than R$40 million for development and less than R$1 billion for scholarships, a reduction of 18% in compared to 2019.
“This situation causes many of our talents to seek professional opportunities in other countries”, says Frateschi. “Jobs at Universities are saturated. Fortunately, there are initiatives such as the Unicamp Scientific and Technological Park, an important reference for the country in generating jobs for these new professionals”.
The Federal Government's budgets have already suffered a cut of around 70% in relation to the amount invested a decade ago in the research sector in Brazil. The situation affects key funding agencies for the academic community, such as CNPq and Capes. This has already lost 1,2 billion reais of the total of 4,2 billion reais it had in the first year of the current federal administration.
