Unesc will kick off the 17th Science and Technology Week with a theme focused on women's participation in science

Science as a space for education, knowledge exchange, and social transformation will be highlighted at Unesc starting next Monday (10/26), with the beginning of the 17th Science and Technology Week (SCT). With the theme "Science Delas" (Science of Women), this year's program values the contribution of women to scientific and technological production and proposes reflections on the challenges and opportunities to increase female presence in research.

The event brings together undergraduate students, master's and doctoral students, postdoctoral researchers affiliated with Unesc, professors, and the community. In total, there are 578 submitted works and over a thousand registered participants. The expectation is to welcome approximately three thousand people over the five days of activities, which include lectures, round tables, mini-courses, workshops, scientific presentations, and science outreach actions.

According to the acting rector of Unesc, Gisele Silveira Coelho Lopes, the Week represents an opportunity for learning that goes beyond the classroom and facilitates the exchange of knowledge between students and researchers. "The Science and Technology Week is a great school. By presenting a work, defending an idea, and engaging in dialogue with evaluators, the student develops critical, analytical, and proactive thinking. From scientific initiation to works presented by established researchers, by facilitating this meeting, we are actively contributing to scientific development. Valuing this environment is essential for projecting the future," emphasizes Gisele.

"This is the largest academic event at our Unesc, which thrives on science. It is no coincidence that it stands out in so many areas in the Folha University Ranking (RUF) 2026, especially in Research. We are leaders in this indicator among non-state community universities in Santa Catarina and hold the 10th national position in this group, a position that has improved this year and shows that we are on the right track, that events like this bear fruit and that we contribute directly to scientific development," states the State Secretary of Education and licensed rector of the University, Luciane Bisognin Ceretta.

The Pro-Rector for Research, Graduate Studies, Innovation, and Extension, Vanessa Moraes de Andrade, highlights the importance of engaging students in research from the beginning of their academic journey. "This connection between the academic universe and scientific research is fundamental. Many students still do not realize the impact of scientific initiation on their education and professional trajectory," she observes.

The general coordinator of the program, Gislaine Zilli Réus, emphasizes that the theme of this edition invites the entire university community to participate in discussions and activities. "We want to involve Teaching, Research, and Extension in a program that encourages the participation of the entire academic community," she states.

Science Delas

The theme highlights the contributions of women who have been part of the history of science, as well as opening space to discuss the challenges faced by female researchers. The proposal also involves the search for more diverse and inclusive scientific environments, with conditions to enhance access, retention, and female leadership in knowledge production.

Among the highlights of the program are lectures with national and international scientists, who will share their journeys, challenges, and discoveries; workshops on female leadership in science and academic career management; the launch of a collective of works written by Brazilian women scientists; and artistic presentations led by women, bringing together science, culture, and art.

The official opening will take place on Monday (10/26) at 7 PM in the Ruy Hülse Auditorium, with the lecture "Metabolic Diseases and Their Impacts on the Brain: Scientific Perspectives and a Female Journey in Research," presented by Jade de Oliveira from the Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul (UFRGS).

Following that, at 8:30 PM, Edilane Rocha Nicoleite, alternate councilor of CRBio-09 and representative of Nila Engenharia, Projetos Ambientais e Representações Ltda., will lead the lecture "Science and Business: Female Leadership in Management and Brazilian Territorial Planning."

The SCT is Unesc's institutional event in celebration of the National Science and Technology Week, promoted by the Ministry of Science, Technology, and Innovation (MCTI). The initiative encompasses the fields of Applied Social Sciences, Humanities, Sciences and Education, Health Sciences, Sciences, Engineering, and Technologies, promoting the meeting between researchers, students, professionals, and society.

Program until Friday

Activities will continue until Friday (10/30), with presentations of scientific works in the form of posters and oral communications, a science fair, keynote lectures, round tables, mini-courses, workshops, and other scientific outreach actions.

The 17th Science and Technology Week is sponsored by Plasson do Brasil, the Regional Council of Engineering and Agronomy of Santa Catarina (CREA-SC), the Coordination for the Improvement of Higher Education Personnel (Capes), the Federal and Regional Councils of Biology, and the Ministry of Science, Technology, and Innovation (MCTI).

The complete program can be consulted on the website: https://www.even3.com.br/xvii-semana-de-ciencia-e-tecnologia-da-unesc-756820/