PUCPR International team present at FAUBAI Conference 2024
From April 20th to 24th, the PUCPR International team (Viviane M. Mäder, Lídia Kovalski, Dulce Alves) and PUCPR faculty members (Ricardo Alexandre Diogo and Karina Fernandes) attended the FAUBAI 2024 Conference. This national conference, held by FAUBAI, the Brazilian Association for International Education, was themed as “Inviting for a New Journey.”
The thought-provoking theme prompted us to delve into a ‘Journey of Peace’ during the opening session, beautifully presented by journalist Eugênio Bucci (ECA-USP). Bucci eloquently highlighted three of the ten global risks recently identified by the World Economic Forum: AI-generated misinformation and disinformation, societal and/or political polarization, and interstate armed conflict. These interconnected elements exacerbate alarming situations, including the suppression of information through its distortion. Bucci expressed concern about the collapse of our methods of understanding facts and rational reflection, leading to difficulty distinguishing between fact and opinion. He emphasized the global objective of discrediting knowledge and its institutions, perpetuated by autocrats, which undermines rational, factual, and moral references, with social sectors responsible for fact-checking and exercising reason coming under attack, including universities. “At a time when technology is evolving rapidly, bringing threats to democracy, peace, and truth, education plays a crucial role in safeguarding the future of humanity.” While witnessing other great minds during the conference was memorable, the first session had a significant impact.
Overall, it provided a fantastic opportunity to showcase some remarkable projects underway at PUCPR, including its participation in the pioneering Undergraduate Modernization Program (PMG) among eight selected Brazilian universities. Professor Ricardo Alexandre Diogo, representing PIM-PUCPR under the PMG-USA and an esteemed faculty member of the Mechatronic Engineering Program, was invited to deliver an insightful overview, sharing his impressions and experiences with the PMG Program on behalf of the consortium of Brazilian universities involved. Fulbright Association sponsors this initiative, along with the US Embassy Consulate in Brazil, Conselho Nacional de Educação – Ministério da Educação, and CAPES – Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior.
Lastly, we showcased some of the innovative projects underway at PUCPR alongside our team and provided an overview of the ongoing implementation of the MoveON SaaS alongside QS Quacquarelli Symonds, Elson Freire. We also enjoyed reconnecting with a few of our esteemed partners and colleagues from the international and global offices.
