Recent statistics on higher education in Brazil show that there is an urgent need to broaden and improve the discussion surrounding this level of education. And that is Bett Educar’s proposal for 2020.

Data from the 2019 Map of Higher Education in Brazil, compiled by Semesp, reveal that in 2017 Brazil had 2,448 institutions of higher education (HEIs)—2,152 in the private sector and 296 in the public sector—with a total of 8.29 million enrollments, of which 1.76 million were in distance learning programs. Enrollment in distance learning courses grew by 17.7% from 2016 to 2017, and the number of learning centers increased from 5,000 to more than 22,000 in three years.

On the other hand, data from the recent “Education at a Glance” 2019 report, published by the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD), show that only 21% of Brazilians aged 25 to 34 have completed higher education, while the average among OECD member countries is around 44%.

To further deepen the discussions surrounding higher education institutions, Bett Educar—Latin America’s largest event on education, technology, and innovation—recently launched the “Higher Education in Brazil” program in Brasília. The program will be a highlight of the 2020 edition of Bett Educar, taking place May 12–15 at the Transamerica Expo Center in São Paulo.

“Now, we’re going to broaden the discussions surrounding higher education and, of course, maintain its close connection with basic education. These sectors need to listen to one another, and Bett Educar aims to serve as a platform for that dialogue,” explains Maria Alice Carraturi, content director at Bett Educar.

According to Maria Helena Guimarães, former executive secretary at the Ministry of Education (MEC), the focus should be on teacher training in higher education. “Our greatest challenge for the immediate future of basic education is to train better-prepared teachers, so they can better prepare our children and young people.”

Celso Niskier, CEO of ABMES (Brazilian Association of Higher Education Institutions), emphasized the importance of the initiative for ABMES and other higher education institutions. “Participating in this new phase of Bett Educar will allow everyone to ride this new wave with greater quality, commitment, and assertiveness.”

The launch event for the “Higher Education in Brazil” program was attended by renowned educators and representatives of the leading organizations associated with higher education institutions in both the public and private sectors. Among them were Luiz Roberto Liza Curi, president of the National Education Council (CNE); Eduardo Deschamps, former president of the CNE; Alessio Costa Lima, president of Undime Nacional; Fabiana Deflon, manager of ANEC’s Chamber of Higher Education; Ivan Cláudio Pereira Siqueira, president of the Chamber of Basic Education; Marília Ancona Lopez, Nilma Fontanive, and Ivan Cláudio Pereira Siqueira, members of the CNE; Hudson Mello, vice president for Education and Dean of Estácio; Nilce Costa, executive secretary of CONSED; Alexandre Marino Mota, president of ForGrad; Claudia Andreatini, director of ANUP and Unip; and Rui Otávio, vice president of SEMERJ.

Bett Educar’s “Higher Education in Brazil” program will be supported by ABMES (Brazilian Association of Higher Education Institutions), ANUP (National Association of Private Universities), and CRUB (Council of Rectors of Brazilian Universities). It will also include representatives from the National Education Council (CNE) and the Ministry of Education (MEC).