Date: March 14th to 16th, 2012
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.

The Seminar Cycle University of the Future: Imitate, Engineer and Create featured the participation of trombonist George E. Lewis, Edwin H. Case Professor of American Music at Columbia University. The event was opened by a musical improvisation made within the VivaMúsica series, led by Lewis with his trombone and two pianos, one played by Cliff Korman, professor at the UFMG School of Music and the other controlled by a computer. The event’s other activities included the participation of researchers from various areas of knowledge and focused on holding several debate tables on topics such as, for example, the role of creativity in teaching and research, the Taylorization of academic production and the issue of fraud and plagiarism.