Date: September 28, 2012 – 9:30am
Location: UFMG School of Music Auditorium

The University of the Future Seminars, promoted by the Rectorate of UFMG, in partnership with IEAT, aim to create in our environments an environment favorable to the implementation of strategic planning in the medium and long term. More than thinking about the future of UFMG, the Seminars aim to discuss the future of the University on a broader scope, taking into account diverse and significant experiences, situations and perspectives – from the Americas, Europe, Asia. It is about thinking about the challenges and emergencies, as well as the strategies and responses, aiming to prospect an uncertain future, but already virtually among us, depending on our decisions, with repercussions on the daily lives of the next generations. Throughout the Cycle, priority will be given to discussing the opportunity to link planning actions to the development of the neo-Humboldtian model of university, as opposed to the university-company model. This is a university focused on the association between teaching and research, as in the traditional model, as well as – hence the prefix “neo” – for the incorporation of new tasks in the university’s actions: thus, technological innovation, training of cadres for the State and professionals for society, openness to culture – from high demonstrations, as Humboldt wanted, to popular demonstrations that give identity to groups and the nation. The challenge: to integrate and better outline these actions, already underway in Brazilian public universities, and based on the proposed model.

Interdisciplinarity in Graduation 

Interdisciplinarity in Undergraduate Studies is the theme of a series of activities developed throughout 2012 and 2013 within the seminar cycle The University of the Future. Such activities include workshops, exhibitions and debate panels, which will feature the participation of personalities involved in projects and academic programs of interdisciplinary higher education, nationally and internationally. The aim is to bring to discussion the recent experience of Interdisciplinary Bachelor’s Degrees implemented in some Brazilian universities, as well as consolidated programs in foreign institutions, such as American Colleges and other recent, bolder initiatives. The Interdisciplinarity in Undergraduate Studies seminars aim to: (1) identify the relevance and need for an interdisciplinary approach in higher education at undergraduate level, taking into account the recent challenges of today’s world and Brazil’s repositioning on the international scene; (2) identify difficulties and/or impediments to interdisciplinary initiatives, taking into account the existing institutional structures, inside and outside UFMG; (3) prospect paths and establish guidelines for increasing interdisciplinarity in undergraduate courses at UFMG.

After discussing, in June this year, the “Impacts of Reuni at UFMG”, the series of activities “Interdisciplinarity in Graduation” put on the agenda the “Interdisciplinary Bachelors: the UFBA experience”, with lectures and tables- roundtables formed by guests from UFBA and professors from UFMG.