Social Insertion

Social and Academic Impact

Although the Science post-graduate Program (Science PGP) is relatively young, its Internationalization aspects are increasing more and more. Moreover, the social actions are also prioritized, which includes basic education and elementary school, and the association to Brazilian and foreign companies. The Science PGP thus assume an important regional role.

Internationalization

One of the most important strategies to improve the quality and promote the qualitative evolution of the Science Post-graduation Program (Science PGP) is to increase its international visibility. Several actions have been taken to expand collaborations with international institutions, such as:
 

• – Formalization of collaborations with the insertion of foreign researchers in research projects that are sent to the Research Fostering Agencies;
• – Work missions carried out by the Professors from Science PGP in foreign research groups;
• – Work missions carried out by students either from master or doctor degree developing part of their research with foreign research groups;
• – Acceptance of foreign students to be regularly enrolled in Science PGP;
• – Lectures given by international researchers when visiting Science PGP;
• – Research works oral presentations in International Scientific Events – Congresses, Symposiums (Professors and students from Science PGP);
• – Professors from Science PGP as editorial board members in renowned Journals around the world;
• – Lectures, Courses and Classes given in Congresses and Foreign Higher-Education Institutions (Invited Speaker);
• – Involvement of the Professors as collaborator in International projects financed by foreign Research Fostering Agencies;
• – Involvement in scientific advice to international companies;
• – Participation as chairman in congresses or international meetings;
• – Internship of students from foreign Higher-Education Institutions;
• – Internationally filed patents;
• – Scientific events in University of Franca – UNIFRAN with participation of foreign researchers.

Research projects with Institutions and researchers all over the world are kept active by researchers from Science PGP. There are more than 18 partnerships with USA, France, Chile, Portugal Spain, Belgium, England (UK), Egypt, among other nations.

Research and productive sector interactions

The relationship between our program professors and students, with companies and industries has highly increased in the last years. This allowed success in fundraising from companies, and development of joint research between companies and University. Moreover, our involvement and integration led to technology transfer.
 
Agreements were drawn up with large companies, several patents were filed, granted and licensed (in Brazil and in foreign countries) and products were developed and are now being marketed. Moreover, projects like PIPE (from “Innovative Research with Small Companies” in portuguese) and PITI (from “Partnership to Technological Innovation” in Portuguese) were financed by FAPESP (São Paulo Research Foundation). A relevant number of student fellowships financed by industries encouraged students in all degrees (Scientific Initiation, M.S., PhD) to accomplish their research.
 
The Science PGP and UNIFRAN hold partnerships also with SEBRAE-SP (the Support Services for Micro and Small Businesses from the State of São Paulo) to develop the Entrepreneurial Culture in the Academic Environment. In 2019, the University (UNIFRAN) was awarded as 1^st place in “Entrepreneurial Culture” and “Infrastructure” by the Ranking de Universidades Empreendedoras de 2019” (the 2019 Ranking of Entrepreneurial Universities). Solidarity and cooperation actions with associations are also part of Science PGP activities nationwide. Within this scope, UNIFRAN’s Laboratory of Genetics and Molecular Biology participated in a research project approved by the National Research Ethics Commission (CEP / CONEP System), directly linked to the National Health Council, a Federal Government Agency.

 
Social Insertion

Professors and students in Sciences PGP have effective participation in projects that contribute to the elaboration of actions that aim to improve the students’ education and teachers’ professional qualification in Public School at the city of Franca. Central topics such as “”Human interventions and environmental imbalance” and “Energy Generation” are used as encouraging subjects and together with “Science Fairs” provide an environment of scientific enrichment and promote pedagogical strategies important in the teaching-learning process.
 
The “Scientizing Project” (“Projeto Cientizando”) and the participation in the “Sustainable Franca Project” (“Projeto Franca Sustentável”), which is grounded at the United Nations (UN) initiative, are examples of our Social Insertion. There are also other countless activities involving the most diverse audiences and sectors of society.