Affirmative Action Policies
In accordance with Resolution No. 15/CEPE, dated December 1, 2023, and as outlined in Public Notice No. 02/2024/MPAC – ICA – FUNDAÇÃO ITAÚ (available at: https://ppacprof.ufc.br/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/edital-mpac-ica-itau-cultural-com-cotas-versao-final-04-nov-11h1-com-logo.pdf), a quota system is in place for Brazilian citizens who self-identify as Black (Black and Brown), Indigenous, Quilombola, or persons with disabilities.
Regarding policies to support student retention and continuity, it is important to highlight that existing assistance programs and welcoming initiatives at the Federal University of Ceará (UFC) are still primarily focused on undergraduate students. These include mechanisms such as the Permanence Scholarship, the Reception and Permanence Incentive Program (PAIP), and Housing Assistance.
At the graduate level, support mechanisms include the Program for Articulation between Undergraduate and Graduate Students, coordinated by UFC’s Integrated School of Academic Development and Innovation (EIDEIA), as well as initiatives from the University’s Vice Provost for Research and Graduate Studies.
Within the Professional Master’s Program specifically, retention and support policies involve systematic student monitoring through regular meetings with faculty representatives and during Board meetings scheduled each academic quarter, coinciding with the offering of new courses. Additionally, the Program’s administrative office closely monitors students’ compliance with academic obligations and Program requirements – such as submission of a foreign language proficiency certificate, enrollment each semester, and participation in the Qualifying Exam and Thesis Defense stages.
A key mechanism for student retention is the close collaboration between the Program Coordinati ng Office and academic advisors within the Thesis Seminar (SEDIS) course. Given that delays in thesis progress are a common cause of student withdrawal, this course plays a central role in preventing attrition. The Program also allows for the possibility of extending the standard 24-month deadline for completion by up to three (3) additional months, in accordance with its Internal Regulations.
Given the professional nature of the Program, the Coordinating Office team is also actively involved in negotiating financial matters with partner institutions and foundations, as well as supporting students facing health-related challenges. UFC provides for the Total Suspension of Enrollment or the implementation of a Special Regime for students requiring a leave of absence for medical reasons. In such cases, the UFC Medical Specialties Center (CEMUFC) is the designated authority responsible for issuing the necessary documentation to support medical leave requests.
Another strategy to support academic continuity is the option for students, under duly justified and documented circumstances, to complete pending coursework within other graduate programs at UFC. This flexibility helps prevent students from missing critical deadlines for program completion.
As for accessibility policies, the Professional Master’s Program aligns with and benefits from UFC’s institutional Accessibility Policy. The Federal University of Ceará has distinguished itself among Brazilian Federal Institutions of Higher Education (IFES) in advancing accessibility and the inclusion of persons with disabilities. A milestone in this commitment was the establishment of the Accessibility Office on August 30, 2010, positioning the University as a leader in supporting individuals with disabilities. The Secretariat is dedicated to ensuring accessibility across multiple dimensions of university life, in compliance with applicable legislation, and to fostering the development of an inclusive culture throughout the institution.
