The contribution of higher education to the economic development of Ponta Grossa by Sabrina Ávila Rodrigues

Universities transform the territories where they operate. They function as a propellant of human, technological, cultural, economic and social development. Although well known for its role in teaching, in the training of graduate professionals of higher level, its role goes far beyond providing diplomas. It also acts in research, innovation and extension where servers and students share knowledge and contribute to the growth of Ponta Grossa and region.

The Ponta Grossa campus of the Federal Technological University of Paraná (UTFPR) has been operating since 1993, when it was a unit of CEFET (Federal Center for Technological Education) and in 2005 was transformed into a university. About 270 public servants carry out their activities in undergraduate and postgraduate courses where almost four thousand students develop their activities locally. And they are part of a network with more than 3,600 servers and 35,000 students working in 12 other municipalities in Paraná.

The training of qualified professionals, and the offer of continuing education of specialization, master's, doctorate and professional qualification courses feed the ecosystem of industry, commerce and services. The offer of courses aligned with the needs of public and private companies results in local economic development.

When trained talents are hired by local organizations, they can advance their careers and thus have their income increased. Increasing individual income raises the purchasing power of the population, reflecting gains for trade, generating jobs, increasing tax collection and attracting new investment in a virtuous cycle of individual and collective achievements.

The UTFPR offers public education, totally free and of quality. By reserving 50% of its vacancies for students from public schools and other forms of inclusion of diversity, the university contributes to reducing social inequality. And it provides end-to-end families with opportunities for access and social mobility. In addition to the permanent scholarships, which provide financial resources to help students in socioeconomic vulnerability; the provision of free meals and support programs of the federal and municipal governments, such as the exemption from the payment of tickets in public transport in Ponta Grossa, it is possible to support families in the trajectory of students until graduation.

Education is the largest engine of social mobility in Brazil, enabling income increase and the breakdown of the cycle of poverty between generations and those who complete the degree have significantly greater gains compared to those who have only ensino médio. The quality of the courses, recognized with high scores in the evaluations of the Ministry of Education, attracts students and workers from other municipalities, states and regions. People who start to live here and generate demands in the real estate, food, transport, commerce, educação básica, language teaching, culture and sports modalities.

The university generates jobs, consumes products and services by prioritizing local suppliers and attracts, in addition to its annual budget, investments from public and private institutions for the development of research and innovation. The teaching staff and highly specialized administrative technical servants have a relevant role in the most diverse municipal councils, technical chambers, professional associations, class entities and sectorial unions guaranteeing technical foundation and enabling decisions to have scientific and legal backing.

In the field of research and innovation, UTFPR plays an important role in technological extension, cultivating partnerships with local companies that enable the immediate application of results obtained in multidisciplinary research. This process substantially reduces the time between generating new knowledge or technology and making it reach the market, converting it into technological, economic and social gains.

Ideas of products or services developed on campus or outside are welcomed in the technological innovation incubator, where they can be developed until they are ready to be made available to consumers, becoming startups and supporting the local innovation ecosystem, the Valley of the Rails.

This work is also driven by partnerships with other local universities, such as UEPG – Ponta Grossa State University, and other national and international research groups that foster an exchange of researchers and students who are encouraged to develop their studies outside the country and return to apply the knowledge accelerating national development.

The holding of major events such as the entrance exam, research congresses, entrepreneurship and innovation, sports competitions and other student meetings based on the campus also move tourism in the city. Visitors from various locations access the hotel network, gastronomy and commerce services, visit tourist sites, often return to the city and usually have an important role in the dissemination of the city's attractions.

The undergraduate and postgraduate courses in science and technology education stand out for nourishing the education ecosystem in the municipality. In addition to the increase in the income of teachers through professional qualification, especially a jump in the quality of education from educação infantil, elementary, middle, undergraduate and post, reflecting in the Human Development Index (HDI) that is determinant for attracting new investments to the municipality.

The wide network of extension brings educational, sporting and cultural activities to every corner of the city. Events such as the Literary Artistic and Cultural Festival held on campus and open to the public, the offer of swimming and hydrogym classes, gastronomic fairs, creative and solidarity economy, scientific technical events and extensionist groups that develop their work in urban and rural communities have the role of repaying the community the investments received with public resources and improving the quality of life of people.

The UTFPR is a plural university, with multidisciplinary activities that contribute to the economic development of Ponta Grossa through teaching, research, extension, innovation, management and all the knowledge of the professionals who work here and those who graduate. Local economic development challenges and encourages the university community to pursue excellence in all areas in a cycle of achievement that has presented positive results over the years.

Article by Sabrina Ávila Rodrigues for the book: "PONTA GROSSA: From the Route of the Tropeiros to the Tracks of Innovation"

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