Foreword by the Vice President for Research, Innovation, and Development

   CONTENTS  

Research as a differential of quality
Jorge Audy - Vice-President for Research, Innovation, and Development

PUCRS is known for the quality of its actions and for its pursuit of academic excellence. In the areas of research, innovation, and graduate studies, this excellence is directly reflected in several positive evaluations by the scientific community, particularly by major government funding agencies, such as CAPES (MEC), CNPq, and FINEP (MCTI).

Research in PUCRS is driven by its 24 graduate programs, involving 24 master’s and 21 doctoral degree programs, as well as approximately 360 faculty members. The research is carried out by 313 research groups that have been certified by CNPq, 21 research centers, 94 laboratories, 54 nuclei, and 7 research institutes. Institutional mechanisms have been developed to support two major fronts: (1) strengthening the role of the Office of Research Ethics, which coordinates the work of the Ethics Committee (CEP), the Ethics Committee on Animal Use (CEUA), and the Ethics Committee on Scientific and Technological Development (CEDECIT); and (2) expanding the INOVAPUC Network, which coordinates projects and mechanisms in the area of innovation and entrepreneurship, involving the Science and Technology Park (TECNOPUC), the Agency for Technology Management (AGT), the Technology Incubator, the IDEA Institute, the Support Center for Innovation Management (NAGI), the Entrepreneur Center (NE), the Center for Innovation (CI), the Office of Technology Transfer (ETT ), and the Enterprise Management Agency (AGE).

The Office of Research, Innovation, and Development (PROPESQ) guides its action according to the University Strategic Planning in relation to the areas of research, innovation, and development, focusing on the principles of quality and relevance and contributing to excellence in undergraduate and graduate education, as well as developing the scientific, cultural, social, and economic spheres of our society. Given the national and international impact of higher education, the challenges in this arena involve issues related to (1) Internationalization, (2) Innovation, and (3) Interdisciplinarity. These challenges are addressed in the context of actions guided by (1) a strong Interaction with sectors of the University and with society, (2) understanding the Uncertainty that is present in the environment as stemming from the knowledge-based society and the historical moment in which we live, and (3) engaging in actions based on the constant search for Integrity in research, innovation, and the development of actions. The PROPESQ turns its attention to identifying the opportunities that these challenges present in this context. Although the challenges currently facing a community university, such as PUCRS, are considerable, we are confident that the institution is prepared to meet and overcome these challenges while continuing its active participation in society, which is an essential element for the advancement of present and future generations.

Acting in alignment with the PUCRS strategic planning, as well as with the mission, vision, and reference framework of our University, PROPESQ presents the third edition of this catalog of research as a representative overview of our research. Several prominent research structures were organized around six major intersecting themes that guide interdisciplinary approaches to study and solve the complex problems of our society.

I hope that this document will provide readers with a comprehensive overview of the areas of research, innovation, and development of PUCRS resulting from the work and dedication of many of our University members under the responsibility of the Directorate of Research and with the support of the Division of Projects.