CLAYTON LEVY

CScientists, students and investors interested in partnerships focused on science, technology and innovation already have an important source of information on research in thematic areas under development at Unicamp, an institution that accounts for 11% of academic scientific production in the country. The Dean of Research (PRP) is providing a space on its website for University researchers to give visibility to the projects they are working on and establish virtual networks with other units. The initiative aims to speed up consultation with internal and external users, in addition to providing possible relationships focusing on strategic themes.

“The objective is to quickly and easily offer new opportunities for collaboration in multidisciplinary and interunit projects, in addition to attracting companies that want to invest in research”, explains the Dean of Research, Daniel Pereira. According to him, thematic networks will also be an important strategic planning tool, as they will enable the formation of groups, as well as the definition of policies and actions aimed at scientific production in tune with current demands for economic and social development.

Data will serve as a tool for strategic planning

“In the area of ​​energy, for example, the information made available may point to the possibility of creating groups specifically focused on research into biofuels”, observes the dean. Still within the scope of institutional planning, Daniel Pereira says that the virtual network will be able to offer subsidies for opening new research fronts. “Based on the identification of human resources in strategic areas, the creation of new postgraduate programs can be proposed”, he explains. Likewise, according to the dean, the information could support a hiring policy to form new groups in areas that have not yet been explored.

synergy – According to Daniel Pereira, although Unicamp's scientific production is significant – it is the Brazilian academic institution with the highest per capita rate of publications –, researchers are not always aware of all the projects that are related to their work. “The idea is to establish a synergy between multidisciplinary groups that develop strategic themes and from there open the way for new partnerships”, he highlights.

Currently, to find out about the projects underway at the University, interested parties – internal or external – have to search for information in the different units or on the pages of the different research groups. With the virtual network created by PRP, the profile of researchers and the work developed will be brought together in a single virtual space. “We believe that this measure will greatly facilitate the activity of scientists interested in establishing partnerships with the University”, highlights Pereira.

In addition to increasing partnerships between researchers, the virtual network, according to Daniel Pereira, will function as an important tool to leverage investments from the private sector aimed at technological innovation. “Interested companies will be able to propose partnerships related to ongoing projects or the creation of new thematic areas involving researchers from different units”, he explains.

For researchers, the availability of information may represent an opportunity for partnerships aimed at acquiring funds through public notices. As an example, the dean cites the resources from the Studies and Projects Financing Agency (Finep), from the Ministry of Science and Technology (MCT) allocated to infrastructure. “Two or more groups can organize themselves to request financing for equipment that will serve everyone,” he says. “In this case, the chances of success are greater”, he adds.

The page with information about researchers and lines of research can be accessed from the address of the Dean of Research (http://www.prp.rei.unicamp.br/portal/). Then, the interested party must access the link “Virtual Thematic Networks of Unicamp”. For now, the service is offering nine thematic networks (see table on this page). New lines may be added.

To participate in the virtual network, the researcher must register by filling in the requested data. The interested party may participate in all available networks or only those of specific interest. Once registered, it will choose keywords related to your area of ​​research and add a link with information about your professional CV. “The system is easy to navigate and provides all the necessary guidance”, says the dean.

Find out what virtual thematic networks are

http://www.prp.rei.unicamp.br/portal/

*Food, Nutrition and Health

*Biotechnology (Food, Drugs and Plants)

*Discourse and Subjectivity

*Employment and Labor Relations

*Energy (Biomass, Alternative Sources, Oil and Gas, Planning and Management)

*Environment and Ecology

*Nanoscience and Nanotechnology (Biomaterials, Magnetic Materials, New Materials, Polymers and Semiconductors)

*Quality of Life and Public Health

*Information and Communication Theory and Technologies

Unicamp remains leader in scientific production per capita

Unicamp appears in the national context as one of the universities that produces the mostuz knowledge. Last year alone, 1.877 articles were published in indexed journals. According to data recently released in the Science, Technology and Innovation Indicators of the São Paulo Research Foundation (Fapesp), the University accounts for 11% of national scientific publications. In absolute numbers, this mark places it among the top three universities in the national ranking, alongside USP (26%) and UFRJ (9%).

Although the 1.877 articles published in 2006 represent significant growth – ten years ago this production was around 500 and, 20 years ago, it was in the 200 range – it is in terms of productivity that Unicamp finds its difference in the academic world. The evolution of the number of publications per capita in international journals (ISI) reveals an upward curve since the 1980s. Last year, the University reached an average of almost 1,2 articles published per doctoral researcher.

The reasons for the growth of scientific production in Brazil and at Unicamp are diverse, some common to all institutions, others peculiar to each institution. According to the Dean of Research, Daniel Pereira, the most important factors have to do with the quality and dedication of researchers, boosted by the continuous growth, quantitative and qualitative, of the national postgraduate system and investments in science and technology carried out over the last three decades. In this sense, the importance of Capes and CNPq (especially with regard to human resources) and Fapesp stands out for the significant results that the State of São Paulo boasts.