Aware of their social role and the need to train a skilled workforce to overcome the challenges facing Brazil, thousands of higher education institutions across the country, through the Brazilian Association of Higher Education Providers (ABMES), have joined forces with Futuria—the education arm of Santander Universidades—to create a movement for people, education, and the future. Titled #EuSouOFuturo, the initiative will support the resumption of higher education in the post-pandemic era and encourage access to quality education for Brazilians.

It’s no secret that over the past 20 months, we’ve faced many challenges in moving forward. But although the COVID-19 pandemic isn’t over yet, the situation is now more under control, allowing us to look ahead and begin rebuilding the dreams and plans that we’ve had to set aside or postpone since March 2020.

For many people, the dream that had to be put on hold was precisely the one in which they place their hope for a better life: pursuing higher education. Studies conducted by ABMES, in partnership with Educa Insights, showed that as the pandemic situation worsened in the country, the number of young people deciding to postpone their undergraduate studies increased.

Although the need for social distancing was a significant factor in this decision, the worsening financial crisis made higher education even more inaccessible to a significant portion of the population. The economic crisis that followed the health crisis was relentless, and its repercussions in a country where 75% of higher education enrollment occurs at private institutions were felt most acutely by the poorest segment of the population.

But this is not just another piece lamenting the difficulties. On the contrary, it is intended to be a summary of the maxim that “opportunities arise from adversity.” And what ABMES and Futuria are offering is the chance for thousands of people to begin their undergraduate studies as early as 2022, through the #EuSouOFuturo campaign.

The initiative was designed to serve as many people as possible. To participate, interested individuals must register on the websitefuturia.com.vc/eu-sou-o-futuroand specify the course they wish to take, the location, and the format (in-person or online). Based on this information, the system generates a list of institutions that meet the requirements, and applicants may select up to three that interest them most. Higher education institutions will offer special benefits to facilitate the admission of each applicant to their desired course.

To reach as many people as possible, the campaign relies on the participation—and mobilization—of major digital influencers whose lives have been transformed by education. Through these channels alone, it is estimated that more than 15 million people will be reached by January 31, 2022, when the campaign ends and registration closes.

For decades, the country has been saying that “a more prosperous and just future for all depends on education,” but it has done little to make that a reality. ABMES, Futuria, and the thousands of higher education institutions mobilized in the #EuSouOFuturo campaign are convinced that, while the situation was already challenging before, in the post-pandemic era it will be impossible to build a better nation without democratizing access to quality education. We’re doing our part. Will you join us?

 

Learn more about the author:

, CEO of the Brazilian Association of Higher Education Institutions (ABMES) and President of UniCarioca University Center

 

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