Brazilian Higher Education System Research Articles

Outlining inbreeding in the Brazilian higher education system

AbstractThis study describes characteristics of academic inbreeding in the Brazilian higher education system. Results show the rate of inbreeding significantly differs among distinct types of institutions, fields of knowledge, states and university ranking tiers. According to this study, inbreeding is most likely to be found in established elite research institutions, concentrated in the Southeast of Brazil, in the STEM fields. These also happen to be the main providers and most prestigious consumers of the well‐trained local academic workforce, supporting the conclusion that both internal and external factors could be influencing the high concentration of inbred scholars at prominent alma maters. It contributes to international literature by evaluating the role of individual characteristics and by showing how the expansion of higher education to more geographically distant areas may establish different patterns of inbreeding.

Racial and income‐based affirmative action in higher education admissions: Lessons from the Brazilian experience

AbstractThis survey article provides insights regarding the future of affirmative action by analyzing the implementation methods and the empirical evidence on the use of placement quotas in the Brazilian higher education system. All federal universities have required income and racial‐based quotas in Brazil since 2012. Affirmative action in federal universities is uniformly applied across the country, which makes evaluating its effects particularly valuable. Affirmative action improves the outcomes of targeted students. Specifically, race‐based quotas raise the share of Black students in federal universities, an effect not observed with income‐based quotas alone. Affirmative action has downstream positive consequences for labor market outcomes. The results suggest that income and race‐based quotas beneficiaries experience substantial long‐term welfare benefits. There is no evidence of mismatching or negative consequences for targeted students' peers.

Academic endogamy or immobility? The impact on scholarly productivity in a developing country

Studies often associate endogamy with lower academic performance. Alternatively, external exposure seems to be correlated with higher research quality. Consequently, when measuring the effects of endogamy, authors should account for academic inertia as well as the different types of mobility. In this study, a large longitudinal database on the Brazilian higher education system is used to measure the effects of endogamy and mobility on scientific production. This paper examines whether types of scholars–such as those who never leave their doctoral institution or those that have some experience elsewhere, especially abroad, show differential results. Furthermore, it measures the changes in scholars’ productivity when controlling for the distinct types of academic mobility throughout their careers. Results suggest that information about how mobile an academic is before and during its career is relevant when estimating the effects of endogamy on academic productivity and international academic experiences are correlated with higher likelihood of publishing.

Impacto da pandemia do SARS-COV-2 na educação médica: migração "compulsória" para o modelo remoto, uma visão preliminar de gestores da educação médica

INTRODUÇÃO: A pandemia por SARS-CoV-2 impactou os modelos educacionais ofertados nos cursos de Medicina. Nesse contexto, com a autorização para oferta de disciplinas remotamente, evidencia-se uma aceleração sem precedentes na migração do modelo presencial para ensino remoto, o que já vinha ocorrendo gradativamente no sistema de educação superior brasileiro. Devido ao isolamento social para enfrentamento da crise, este modelo está sendo aplicado integralmente em muitas Instituições de Ensino Superior (IES) do país, podendo repercutir em mudanças metodológicas na educação médica. OBJETIVOS: Discutir o impacto da pandemia do SARS-CoV-2 na educação médica, analisando a migração para o modelo remoto. MÉTODO: Baseado na experiência dos autores na gestão da educação médica, foi realizada uma reflexão a partir de reuniões gerenciais de duas IES privadas. RESULTADOS: O contexto de pandemia global promoveu impactos no ensino no âmbito do corpo discente, docente e IES. Os altos investimentos na migração do modelo de ensino e a alta taxa de evasão vêm repercutindo na suspensão de contratos de docentes de IES privadas. A desigualdade de acesso tecnológico, ambientes não propícios e a má qualidade da telefonia/internet no país podem impactar no desempenho acadêmico. CONCLUSÕES: É inegável que a educação médica está sendo profundamente transformada por essa crise global de saúde. Entretanto, ainda é cedo para afirmar com segurança o tamanho desse impacto. Futuramente, será necessário adaptar o conceito de Ensino Médico baseado em evidências para avaliar com clareza as repercussões práticas dessa pandemia no ensino da Medicina.

Internationalization of higher education in Brazil: advances, obstacles, and challenges

Abstract In recent years, in Brazil, the theme of the internationalization of universities has become part of the agenda of academic leaders, main funding agencies and representative entities of public and private HEIs. This article aims to analyze the experience of HEIs and funding agencies in Brazil regarding the issue of internationalization. Starting from the process of traditional international academic cooperation, we seek to observe advances of Brazilian universities towards the definition of broader and more complex institutional strategies and objectives regarding internationalization. Drawing on concepts of the internationalization process, we briefly depict the main features of the Brazilian higher education and postgraduate system, analyzing cooperation and international influences within it. Then, we discuss the internationalization policies implemented by central government agencies and the involvement of HEIs in institutional internationalization actions. It is observed that the internationalization of Brazilian higher education system is still incipient and that HEIs are scarcely proactive in the development of institutional policies to receive and in leveraging the opportunities offered in the process.

Os desafios enfrentados pelos professores no processo de avaliação no ensino superior

O sistema de ensino superior brasileiro passou, nos últimos anos, por expressivas transformações, como mudanças normativas, valorativas e outras que dizem respeito à expansão, diversificação de tipos de instituições, tipos de cursos e à função social do ensino. Essas transformações, somadas às que a sociedade contemporânea vem passando, têm influenciado o futuro destas instituições que se veem, cada dia mais, obrigadas a repensar suas funções e oferecerem uma educação que corresponda às expectativas do Estado e da sociedade no que se refere a um ensino de qualidade. A esses aspectos soma-se a prática avaliativa, que tem se apresentado como um dos pontos críticos do processo educativo, por sua complexidade e repercussão na formação dos estudantes. Nesta perspectiva, o objetivo desse estudo é analisar, com base em uma revisão bibliográfica, alguns aspectos relacionados ao tema da avaliação da aprendizagem e, a partir do contraponto entre as diversas tendências e teorias que tratam do assunto, demonstrar a necessidade de mudanças nas práticas avaliativas realizadas nas instituições de ensino superior brasileiras em direção a uma avaliação formativa, qualitativa e democrática, que contribua para o crescimento intelectual dos profissionais a serem formados.Palavras-chave: ensino superior; avaliação; prática docente.

Reconsidering Private Higher Education in Brazil

This article discusses the role of the for-profit private sector in the Brazilian Higher Education System. Emphasizing its hegemony, we consider that the adoption of mercantilist logic has implications for the quality of supply and is leading the sector to be characterized as an oligopoly. Although the National Education Plan predicts an increase in public sector enrollment as massification continues, current economic and political conditions may prevent this expansion, leaving the country in a very delicate situation.

Reconsidering Private Higher Education in Brazil

This article discusses the role of the for-profit private sector in the Brazilian Higher Education System. Emphasizing its hegemony, we consider that the adoption of mercantilist logic has implications for the quality of supply and is leading the sector to be characterized as an oligopoly. Although the National Education Plan predicts an increase in public sector enrollment as massification continues, current economic and political conditions may prevent this expansion, leaving the country in a very delicate situation.

Por que eles desistem? análise da evasão no curso de engenharia de produção, UFES, Campus São Mateus

Nos últimos anos o sistema brasileiro de educação superior expandiu a oferta de cursos de engenharia. Apesar desta expansão tem-se percebido o aumento no número de evasão dos alunos. De maneira a contribuir com a análise das causas desta evasão o presente trabalho teve como objetivo definir o perfil do curso de Engenharia de Produção, São Mateus. Verificou-se que o curso possui predomínio de alunos: i) residentes no próprio Estado e cidade; ii) do sexo masculino; iii) idade entre 18 e 25 anos e; iv) melhores coeficientes de rendimento nos últimos períodos. Tanto à relação entre alunos diplomados por alunos evadidos quanto à taxa de retenção do curso indicam a necessidade de melhorar a qualidade do curso de modo a viabilizar a finalização em menor tempo. Analisando a evasão verificou-se que a mesma ocorreu em 144 de um total de 441 alunos matriculados, sendo a desistência a principal razão da evasão (77). Foi analisado ainda o grau de retenção das disciplinas básicas, sendo esta entre 40% a 80% em disciplinas do primeiro e segundo período. De acordo com os resultados há necessidade da coordenação do curso em acompanhar cuidadosamente os primeiros períodos bem como promover atividades de nivelamento e monitorias.

Public policies for the assessment of quality of the Brazilian higher education system

The present article aims to perform a historical and political analysis of the emergence of the concept of quality education in the Brazilian educational system. To reach this goal, it examines the notion of the “right to education” or “educational public service” as a public good. This article also discusses the organization of the Brazilian educational system and the issues related to the restrictive and formal interpretations of educational assessment, especially in the context of the neo-liberal proposal that characterized the 1990s. It examines the concept of quality and the possibility of its implementation through the determinations established in the Brazilian Constitution according to a substantial interpretation of assessment policies.

Affirmative Action in the Brazilian Higher Education System

The purpose of this article is to discuss the advantages and disadvantages of affirmative action in the Brazilian system of higher education, which is aimed at benefitting Afro- Brazilians suffering from the legacy of structural racism and economic inequality. The authors will highlight some of the problems linked to the racial quota system, and demonstrate that its implementation is deeply hindered by several factors, such as traditional denial of existing racial prejudice in Brazilian society, a lack of precise, normative definitions of eligibility for programs, failure of pre-university public education to properly prepare students for university-level academics, and – last but not least – a lack of sufficient support from academic institutions. The article will present both quantitative and qualitative data that show the expectations, doubts, and fears of the Brazilian academic environment with regard to the racial quota system. After a review of Brazil’s racial history and an analysis of students’ and professors’ opinions, the authors will argue that, in order for colored citizens to become fully integrated into Brazilian society, they must first be legally enabled to overcome social, educational, and economic obstacles and handicap.

Impacto do Programa de Apoio a Planos de Reestruturação e Expansão das Universidades Federais Brasileiras (REUNI) na atividade investigativa: crescimento, qualidade e internacionalização

Nos últimos anos, o sistema de educação superior brasileiro tem sido objeto de inúmeras políticas e uma delas é o Programa de Apoio a Planos de Reestruturação e Expansão das Universidades Federais (REUNI). O objetivo deste trabalho é analisar seu impacto na atividade investigativa das universidades federais, em três dimensões: crescimento, qualidade e internacionalização, estabelecendo uma relação entre os resultados do Programa REUNI e as publicações científicas na Web of Science. A partir de dados referentes ao período 2003-2012, observa-se que houve um incremento considerável na produção científica do Brasil e ainda mais nas universidades federais. A contratação de professores doutores tem aumentado, entretanto ainda não repercute na qualidade dos documentos em revistas de primeiro quartil. Os programas de mobilidade auxiliaram a promover a formação em diferentes países. Além disso, as publica- ções em colaboração internacional cresceram rapidamente, mas ainda não alcan- çaram percentuais destacados. Embora se evidencie uma importante transforma- ção nas universidades federais, ainda faz-se necessário integrar esforços em direção à qualidade e à visibilidade internacional.

Ciência acadêmica, intelectuais e o trabalho dos professores universitários no Brasil: convergência e hegemonia

O artigo busca compreender as funções sociais, econômicas e políticas da ciência acadêmica dos Estados Unidos em consolidada transição para recolocar a universidade como parte do sistema produção. Este entendimento possibilita compreender as mudanças estruturais em curso no Brasil e suas consequências para a vida do intelectual pesquisador da universidade estatal e para a natureza de seu trabalho cada vez mais comercializável.

ESTUDO DA EVASÃO NO CURSO DE CIÊNCIA DA COMPUTAÇÃO DA UFRGS

In this paper, we approach the issue of dropouts in the Undergraduate Program in Computer Science at Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul State (UFRGS) from the year 2000 to 2013, aiming at identifying the issue and presenting information and characteristics related to it. Dropout is a phenomenon that is present in the Brazilian Higher Education system and it has negative effects in several ways, both for the students, who do not complete a higher education program and that reduces their chances of personal and professional growth, and for the institutions, which do not fulfill their educational social function, or fall short in their purpose of fostering the job market. In this paper, we provide detailed information about admission requirements, graduation, and termination related to the Computer Science Program, analyzing such aspects and providing further information on dropout and other factors related to it. Then, we present information regarding dropouts from the perspective of the students themselves. Thus, we seek to contribute to a broader reflection about the reasons of dropouts. In addition, we also envision contributing to advancements in the relationship between the university and the society, as well as to improvements in meeting the demands of the job market. This article is an extract of an end-of-course project with the same title.

Graduate Training and Employment in Brazil

Since the late 1960s, the Brazilian federal government has directed substantial resources toward the newly created graduate level at the most prestigious Brazilian universities. Direct support for high-level graduate programs provided by CAPES and other Brazilian agencies, bypassing the university bureaucracy, has allowed programs to recruit Ph.D. holders educated abroad as faculty members. Contrary to the experience at the undergraduate level, the government and the academic community have made a decisive effort to assure quality at the graduate level. The Fundação Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)—the Ministry of Education agency in charge of graduate education—has created a sophisticated peer review evaluation system that successfully connects performance with support at this level. This evaluation, relying on the contribution of acknowledged academic leaders in all areas of knowledge in the country, has enhanced academic legitimacy; program evaluations in each area currently tend to be widely accepted by the academic community. Such programs have become the main or sole sites for the institutionalization of research in the Brazilian higher education system.

The Pursuit of Equity in Brazilian Higher Education

The Brazilian Supreme Court is about to decide if affirmative action complies with the National Constitution. In 2003 the Senate of the University of Brasília (UnB) decided to reserve 20% of its places to black and brown ("pardo") candidates starting in the 2004 admission process. In 2009, the right wing Democratas political party filed a lawsuit at Brazilian Supreme Court claiming that UnB's racial quota system violates no less than nine fundamental precepts of the Constitution. The decision about this case, will determine the future of affirmative action in Brazil. Amazingly all assessments "prove" that affirmative action is neither the deliverance or a threat to the Brazilian higher education system.

Ciencia académica, intelectuales y el trabajo del profesor universitario en Brasil: convergencia y hegemonía

This article explores the social, economic and political context of higher education reforms in the United States in order to understand contemporary changes in Brazilian higher education. The paper argues that while the Brazilian higher education system has made important achievements in the last decade, the academic profession cannot escape market pressures and neoliberal dynamics. This is particularly evident in areas related to research, funding, and the commercial value given to scientific discovery.

ADOÇÃO DE PROCEDIMENTOS INTERNACIONAIS, DO PROCESSO DE BOLONHA, POR UMA UNIVERSIDADE NACIONAL: UM ESTUDO DE CASO

This paper aims to discuss the process of internationalization of the HEI, based on the Bologna Process. An exploratory study was made to identify barriers for the internationalization of a local institution: The University of Taubate. The main topics were the internationalization of the firm and the Bologna Process. This HEI is located in the Vale Paraiba Paulista, a growing and strategic region in Brazilian soil. Education and skilled labor are key elements to regional development. The essay consists of a case study. Particularities from the Brazilian Higher Education System and the European Model are analyzed. They are combined with the Institution’s policies. The results show the current stage of the action lines that direct the application of the European model, at the University of Taubate. The conclusions consider the convergence of the Bologna Process with the guidelines of the Brazilian higher education policies, and point out some difficulties and opportunities that may be considered if the HEI decides to adopt an internationalization model.

The Adoption of International Proceedures, the Bologna Process, by a Local University: A Case Study at Unitau

This paper aims to discuss the process of internationalization of the HEI, based on the Bologna Process. An exploratory study was made to identify barriers for the internationalization of a local institution: The University of Taubate. The main topics were the internationalization of the firm and the Bologna Process. This HEI is located in the Vale Paraíba Paulista, a growing and strategic region in Brazilian soil. Education and skilled labor are key elements to regional development. The essay consists of a case study. Particularities from the Brazilian Higher Education System and the European Model are analyzed. They are combined with the Institution’s policies. The results show the current stage of the action lines that direct the application of the European model, at the University of Taubate. The conclusions consider the convergence of the Bologna Process with the guidelines of the Brazilian higher education policies, and point out some difficulties and opportunities that may be considered if the HEI decides to adopt an internationalization model.

Institutional Theory and the Internationalization of Higher Education in South America: The Brazilian Case

Theory of internationalization has mainly focused on the internationalization of firms and their economic effects and has neglected the role of the education institutions. The Brazilian higher education system is the largest in Latin America (Inep, 2010) and has passed through important structural changes since the beginning of the 1990s. This paper aims to analyze, from the lens of institutional theory, the process of internationalization of higher education in Brazil. We use the lens of institutional theory as a way to understand the elements that permeate the organizational field of universities, institutional managers, regulatory agencies and decision makers at the organizational and national level. Finally, we perform an analysis of some international patterns and standards and propose strategies to the South American higher education institutions.