In a session held this Tuesday, November 29th, the Unicamp University Council (Consu) approved a series of agendas that will benefit the university community as a whole. One of the initiatives voted on was the institution of the “Unicamp Highlight Thesis Award”, which aims to recognize and reward outstanding doctorates defended in the university's Postgraduate Programs, stimulating the constant search for excellence in research.
The award, which will be awarded annually, starting in 2023, will consist of cash payments to the first and second placed in each area of knowledge, in addition to a diploma for the work supervisors. “We will follow Unicamp's standard areas of knowledge, with five awards for outstanding work and five honorable mentions for work that comes in second place”, explained professor Rachel Meneguello in her deliberation.
During the meeting, the extension of paternity leave for Unicamp employees was also approved. Now, employees who have or adopt children will be able to request an extension of the initial leave of 7 consecutive days for another 13 days, totaling 20 days of leave. To do so, it will be necessary to submit a request to the human resources department of your agency or unit after the child's arrival, which must be authorized, subject to the requirements of the standard.
During the deliberation, participants discussed the need to think about the well-being and rights of children, the role of men within the family configuration, in addition to the importance of the service that universities must provide to society, which includes following paths that can serve example for other instances. “The university has to be this signaling vehicle, which proposes changes, especially when we think we are dealing with fundamental rights within society”, argues the Vice-Rector of University Development Fernando Sarti.
Additional Resources
The University Council also approved with 94% of votes in favor the provision of additional resources for the development of two projects within the scope of Unicamp's Multi-Year Investment Plan (PPI). The PPI, which had its first package approved this year by Consu, is a continuous instrument that aims to use part of the university's financial reserves to finance new works or renovations of existing structures on the campuses of Campinas, Limeira and Piracicaba, in projects that can last up to five years.
Within this context, a budget of R$20 million was approved this morning to expand the implementation of photovoltaic systems using existing roofs on the various Unicamp buildings. This initiative will increase the amount allocated to the institution's Energy Efficiency Project to R$40 million, which has already contributed R$5 million to replace conventional lamps with LEDs and R$15 million to replace air conditioning equipment.
The second project will allocate R$10.889.652,64 to carry out the renovation of four Sports Courts at the Faculty of Physical Education (FEF), which have deteriorated due to continuous use and construction time. The work, which began in 2012, but faced administrative obstacles and resource constraints, includes the construction of a roof and mezzanine in these facilities, for better use by students, employees and the community in general.
