According tothe 2023 Higher Education Census, the total number of students enrolled in higher education programs (both in-person and online) in Brazil reached nearly 10 million, the highest figure recorded in the past nine years.

Romero Tori, an associate professor at the Polytechnic School of the University of São Paulo (Poli-USP),believesthat the trend of rising enrollment numbers may continue to grow, given the relatively small portion of the Brazilian population that has access to higher education.

“As the number of high school graduates increases, public policies promoting inclusion and the number of available spots expand. This creates a dynamic of proportional growth in the number of students entering higher education,” says Tori, who is also a tenured faculty member in the Graduate Program in Design at USP’s School of Architecture and Urbanism.

The professor points out that the significant expansion of distance learning also contributed to the increase identified in the School Census, as it made it possible to include people who previously did not have access to courses that required physical attendance. “The challenge now is to achieve proportional growth in the number of graduates and ensure quality standards, both in in-person courses and in online or hybrid courses,” he warns.

According to FIAP’s Vice President for Academic Affairs, Wagner Sanchez, three main factors influence the results: “Technology, which facilitates access to distance learning and eliminates geographical barriers; labor market demand, which requires constant upskilling and training in high-demand fields such as technology and innovation; and the diversity of teaching methods, which make learning more flexible and appealing to new types of students. At FIAP, for example, we see this firsthand. Offering courses that are aligned with the job market and up-to-date with the latest trends makes all the difference,” he says.

Alexandre Marino, a full professor at the Federal University of Santa Catarina (UFSC), emphasizes that the increase in the number of students in higher education should be celebrated, but points out that there is still much to be done. He notes that, according to the 2023 Higher Education Census, only 21.6% of young people between the ages of 18 and 24 are enrolled in college. “The goal of the National Education Plan (PNE) is to raise this rate to 50% by 2024, a target that will certainly not be met.”

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Marino argues that enrollment in higher education is essential for the country’s development: “By providing vocational training to more Brazilians, we can envision a process of significant social and economic transformation. By way of comparison, China saw a significant increase in the number of college students, with the gross enrollment rate in higher education reaching 60.2% in 2023,” he concludes.

Connecting education to real-world needs

Aligning the processes for creating and updating college programs with the pace of change in labor market demands is one of the main challenges facing educational institutions today. “Good college programs are constantly adapting, focusing increasingly on the development of skills rather than content. Among these, digital and social-emotional skills stand out,” notes Tori.

Sanchez adds that Brazilian universities face the challenge of how to align education with the real demands of the job market. “Adapting to digital skills is essential, ranging from basic competencies to advanced technologies such as AI and blockchain. In addition, social-emotional skills, such as communication and teamwork, are crucial for training the professionals of the future. Integrating these skills into the curriculum prepares students for the challenges of the job market and transforms them into leaders ready for the future,” he says.

Marino adds that higher education institutions should constantly review their pedagogical programs, updating the skills they teach to prepare students both for the use of technology and for the development of social-emotional skills.

He also suggests that the allocation of college spots be aligned with the federal government’s development plans, in partnership with states and municipalities. “Coordinated public policies—from basic education through higher education—can establish an educational pathway that extends the time spent in education and prepares professionals for the job market.”

Growth of Distance Learning

Distance learning (DL) has been widely integrated into the educational ecosystem, making it possible to offer higher education courses to people outside major educational centers. “Distance learning can help increase the enrollment rate of young people in higher education. However, there are critical issues to address, such as training teachers in digital skills, integrating technology into high school education, and ensuring that educational institutions have the necessary infrastructure. ‘We cannot continue to use traditional classrooms for teaching activities in the digital age,’ Marino notes.”

Sanches emphasizes that distance learning is essential for the future of higher education in Brazil, but it requires attention. “It is crucial to ensure that the content is engaging and up-to-date, as well as to invest in methodologies that promote engagement and interaction between students and teachers. Another key point is infrastructure: not only must the technology be accessible to everyone, but support services must also be in place to assist those who face difficulties. When well-planned, distance learning can offer an experience just as rich as that of in-person instruction,” he concludes.

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