Opinion – I am Science: Tarcísio ignores the São Paulo university system

The comparative analysis of the government programs of candidates for governor is astonishing, especially when comparing the proposals for the main system of higher education, science and technology in Brazil, which is based in São Paulo. In the THE 2022 ranking, for example, the 6 public universities in São Paulo (USP, Unicamp, Unesp, Unifesp, UFSCar and UFBAC) are among the 15 best Brazilian institutions, leading the list with the first three: USP, Unicamp and Unifesp. During the pandemic, 44% of the Brazilian scientific production on Covid-19 was carried out by institutions in São Paulo (according to an ongoing SoU_Ciência research), which demonstrates the importance of the research system in the State, acting to face the tragedy, despite the cuts and attacks by the Federal Government.

A month ago, we posted on this blog a comparison of the programs of the four main candidates for president. Differences were important, but everyone had some strategic vision on the subject and, in general, concrete proposals. What is surprising in São Paulo is that candidate Tarcísio Freitas simply ignores the São Paulo system, responsible for more than ⅓ of research in Brazil, as pointed out by Clarivate Analytics (2019). In its 43-page program, USP, Unicamp, Unesp or Fapesp are not even mentioned.

On the other hand, Fernando Haddad, as a professor at USP, former Minister of Education for 6 years, the period of greatest expansion of public vacancies in Brazilian history, has a broad domain of the subject, more ownership in what he presents and concrete proposals, which we will highlight here. . The complete comparative table of the two programs in the area of ​​higher education, science and technology can be consulted on our website.

Tarcísio’s program does not even present a strategic vision for the higher education, science and technology system – even Bolsonaro’s did, as we have discussed and problematized previously. Regarding the university-public policy connection, the only mention of Tarcísio is a vague link between human sciences, arts and São Paulo’s cultural heritage. For the promotion of economic development, the only bet is to defend the action of startup incubators and innovation centers. With the detail that the word “incubar”, in the program, is spelled with “e” (p. 31): to incubate is actually to envasilhar, to box; the opposite of the correct meaning with “i”, to incubate, which means to give birth, stimulate to grow, to develop.

Haddad, on the other hand, presents a clear strategic vision, by proposing to deepen the connection between the university and research system with development goals, public policies, sustainability and guarantee of rights: “The state of São Paulo concentrates the largest production chains in the country, it is the headquarters of the national financial capital and agribusiness, as well as housing the most important Brazilian university and scientific-technological apparatus (p.4) (…) Let’s take advantage of all this structure and expand its potential, create a state system of innovation to promote the sustainable development with social and climate justice, with the modernization of the productive structure and the promotion of the energy transition, the strengthening of innovative capacity, the creation of jobs and income, with higher remuneration in the countryside and in the city” (p.7).

Among Haddad’s concrete proposals are: a) expanding cooperation between universities, municipalities and regions in the improvement of public policies and territorial development; b) invest in research in health centers, university hospitals and institutes to anticipate future crises, epidemics and pandemics; c) cooperatively articulate research and innovation centers with the production chain in all its diversity, aligned with a socio-environmental perspective; d) increase investment and offer of public places in higher and technological education; e) strengthen Fapesp and expand scholarship programs; f) expand the internationalization of the São Paulo system; g) strengthen university extension and action with the solidarity and creative economy; h) modernize and facilitate public procurement by universities; i) invest in the training and development of teachers at all levels; j) strengthen and expand the policy of quotas, scholarships, permanence assistance, including postgraduate studies; k) carry out a digital and technological inclusion policy at all levels of education.

For those who understand that economic and social development, with the guarantee of rights, the fight against inequality and environmental responsibility depends on the strengthening and expansion of an advanced system in the training of people, in the production of knowledge, with basic and applied research, there seems to be no doubt on who we should defend and vote for governor of São Paulo. With a bolsonarista governor, the risk is that we bring the same policy of dismantling the federal system to the state, and we have a heart attack in the heart of the Brazilian scientific system. May reason and voters save São Paulo and Brazil from entering the realm of obscurantism once and for all.

* The programs of candidates registered with the TSE in August 2022 were consulted. These are the programs that have official validity as an electoral commitment. Below the links:

Tarcísio Governador’s Government Program 2023-2026

Haddad Governor’s Government Program 2023-2026