Homage to Zeferino Vaz marks the opening of the 18th UPA

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From left to right, Sérgio Vaz (son); André Barella (grandson) and Marcelo Barella (married to granddaughter Marta and André's father): family members of Zeferino Vaz paid UPA 2023
Relatives of the founder of Unicamp, Zeferino Vaz, who attended UPA 2023 (from left to right): Sérgio Vaz (son); André Barella (great-grandson) and Marcelo Barella (married to granddaughter Marta and André's father)

Tributes to the founder and first rector of Unicamp, Zeferino Vaz, marked the opening, this Saturday morning (19), of the 18th edition of the UPA (University of Open Doors) – a program that seeks approximation with high school students and that this year had as the theme “Education Transforms”.

Conducted by the general coordinator of the University, professor Maria Luiza Moretti, the ceremony was attended by a son and a great-grandson of Zeferino, respectively, Sérgio Vaz and André Barella. Economist Marcelo Barella, married to Marta, Zeferino's granddaughter, was also present.

"Zeferino's person is very important in the history of Unicamp", said rector Antonio José de Almeida Meirelles. "Unicamp was founded at a difficult time in our country, but he knew how to find a way to deal with this difficulty. Zeferino preserved academic freedom, bringing important thinkers who marked the country's history, creating this force that generates ideas, knowledge, science , technology, in an innovative way", added the dean.

"This marked the history of Unicamp and also marked the history of the country. These were values ​​that remained at the University and became stronger. Today, I would venture to say that Unicamp is probably one of the universities that most combines academic freedom and internal democracy, with excellence and quality", stated the rector.

"I'm very happy with this recognition from Unicamp, because people still remember him a lot, after so many years", said Sérgio Vaz. “And look, he passed away in 1981! I’m very happy to see the seed that my father planted,” he added.

Dean Antonio Meirelles: "The person of Zeferino is very important in the history of Unicamp"
Dean Antonio Meirelles: "The person of Zeferino is very important in the history of Unicamp"

For this edition, the University received entries from more than 500 schools across the state of São Paulo, in addition to students from Minas Gerais, Rio de Janeiro and Mato Grosso do Sul. 

The president of the UPA Organizing Committee, Maria Luiza Moretti, said she was very happy to be holding another edition. "UPA is already a traditional event at Unicamp. With each edition, we have noticed an increase in student interest", she assessed. "And today is a day of celebration. We can see the joy of the students, the diversity and the willingness of each of them to get to know the University. With this, we want to encourage students to discover that there are free education options and different forms of entry" , he said.

Moretti believes that the activities that students are experiencing throughout the day are a synthesis of what Unicamp produces. "All bodies and units have prepared a series of activities for students. We have exhibitions, workshops, laboratories, lecture classes, training, guidance, which reflect well what Unicamp's scientific production is. We hope to spark the interest of these young people”, he concluded the coordinator,

The Dean of Undergraduate Studies, Professor Ivan Toro, reinforced the idea that Unicamp is a public, free and inclusive institution. "I feel very happy to see so many young people together," he said. "All these kids wanting to get to know the University, everyone is excited. I think this is an extremely important event so that we can publicize our university and so that students know that they can study here because they will have support. In addition to very good courses, Unicamp offers conditions for low-income students to study at the University, as we have solid inclusion and retention policies", he guaranteed.

The pro-rectors present at the UPA (from left to right): Fernando Coelho (Extension and Culture); Fernando Sarti (University Development) and Ivan Toro (Graduation)
The pro-rectors present at the UPA (from left to right): Fernando Coelho (Extension and Culture); Fernando Sarti (University Development) and Ivan Toro (Graduation)

The dean of University Development, Fernando Sarti, said that an event like UPA – which brings students to know the University – is a unique opportunity. "This is your time to dream," said Sarti, addressing the students. 

Professor José Alves de Freitas Neto, coordinator of the Permanent Commission for Entrance Exams (Comvest), said "today is the day for students to fall in love with Unicamp". Also participating in the opening ceremony were the Dean of Extension and Culture, Fernando Coelho; Professor Marcelo Brocchi, representing the Dean of Research, João Romano; the Chief of Staff, Professor Paulo César Montagner; and the advisor to the Municipal Education Department of Campinas, Fernando Henrique Martins, who represented Mayor Dario Saadi.  

the UPA

As happened last year, when around 32 students passed through the campus, the program was carried out in a face-to-face format this year, after interruptions due to the pandemic. UPA was suspended in 2020 and held only in virtual format the following year. 

The idea of ​​the UPA is that students have direct contact with the University. Throughout the day, they will be able to observe the operation of equipment, learn about resources used in research and scientific experiments, as well as participate in lectures and conversations about careers, structures of undergraduate courses and professional activities. 

Unicamp's general coordinator, professor Maria Luiza Moretti, led the opening ceremony
Unicamp's general coordinator, professor Maria Luiza Moretti, led the opening ceremony 

The organization of the program also remembers that students will be able to talk to teachers and participate in recreational activities and workshops. Groups of advisors who make up the Student Support Service (SAE) will be available throughout the day at posts set up around the Basic Cycle to provide information on the Unicamp entrance exam and the selection exams for technical schools.

The organization also set up guidance posts on ways to enter the University – such as ProFIS (Higher Interdisciplinary Training Program).

Identified monitors will remain throughout the day in all units to answer questions and guide visitors.

Three food courts were installed on campus, with several dining options. They will operate in the Basic Cycle Square, in the Health area pocket, close to the Faculty of Medical Sciences (FCM), and in the reception space – which is in the Central Library pocket. 

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Sérgio Vaz during the opening ceremony: "Happy to see the seed that my father planted"

Sustainability

One of the attractions of the 2023 edition of UPA is the Sustainable Campus Program, which is being presented to students in several ways. The program is a project that aims to improve the infrastructure of the campus and, through the study and development of new technologies, is transforming Unicamp into one of the largest living laboratories of energy sustainability in Latin America.

Three electric buses – two with 44 seats and one with 80 seats – will circulate around the campus throughout the day, showing students the details of the technology. Advisors will be in the vehicles, also presenting the operation of the photovoltaic power plants on the campus and initiatives such as the photovoltaic kiosk installed next to the Central Library. One of these groups is formed by indigenous students who participate in a project to bring photovoltaic energy to indigenous communities in the north of the country.

A group formed by the dean, pro-rectors, directors and family members of Zeferino Vaz made one of the trips around the campus in one of the electric vehicles.

Read more: 

Meeting of generations in 'festival of knowledge' gathers 36 thousand at UPA

Watch the program presented live by the SEC team:

Check out more images of activity on campus in the morning: 

Almost 40 thousand people are expected throughout the day
Almost 40 thousand people are expected throughout the day
Almost 40 thousand people are expected throughout the day
Almost 40 thousand people are expected throughout the day
Almost 40 thousand people are expected throughout the day
Almost 40 thousand people are expected throughout the day
Almost 40 thousand people are expected throughout the day
Almost 40 thousand people are expected throughout the day
Almost 40 thousand people are expected throughout the day
Almost 40 thousand people are expected throughout the day
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The idea of ​​the program is for students to have direct contact with the university

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Writer and columnist, the sociologist was president of the National Association of Postgraduate Studies and Research in Social Sciences in the 2003-2004 biennium