Public university, innovation and the Global South: Medronho reaffirms UFRJ's role in the energy transition.
Rector Roberto Medronho advocates for sustainability, cooperation with China, and strengthening multilateralism.
247 - During the event “The Energy Transition and the Sustainability of the Future,” promoted by BNDES, with support from Brasil 247 and the Chinese website Guancha, on July 9th in Rio de Janeiro, the rector of the Federal University of Rio de Janeiro (UFRJ), Roberto Medronho, presented the institution's vision for sustainable and sovereign development. In his speech, Medronho defended the central role of the public university in transforming Brazil through education, science, and innovation.
"The role of the university in national development is absolutely critical, fundamental," the rector stated at the beginning of his speech, praising the previous participation of the president of BNDES, Aloizio Mercadante, and the Chinese ambassador to Brazil, Zhu Qingqiao.
Sustainability policy and regenerative education
Medronho highlighted that one of his first actions upon assuming the rectorship in July 2023 was the creation of a sustainability and regenerative education policy at UFRJ. The program is coordinated by Professor Francisco de Assis Esteves, from the Institute of Biodiversity and Sustainability, and integrates all academic units of the university.
With approximately 70 students, 5 faculty members, and 12 administrative and technical staff, UFRJ presents itself as a strategic center for coordinating energy transition and technological innovation projects, including national and international experiences in sustainability.
“Our mission is not just to train professionals for the job market; that's not enough. Our primary role is to educate citizens capable of transforming reality,” Medronho pointed out.
Technology park, innovation and partnership with China
Another central theme of the rector's speech was the role of the UFRJ technology park, which seeks to consolidate an innovation ecosystem aligned with sustainable development. He highlighted the appointment of Professor Romildo Toledo, from COPPE, to lead this process, and recalled the university's historical role in the discovery and exploration of the pre-salt layer—now focused on the energy transition.
Among the concrete examples presented by Medronho are projects with biomaterials, energy efficiency, bamboo constructions, and mobility with green hydrogen, such as bicycles and buses powered by this technology already in operation in Maricá (RJ).
"We have a very interesting production of hydrogen-powered bicycles, and this green hydrogen-powered bus is already being implemented in Maricá," he reported.
Furthermore, UFRJ has deepened its partnerships with China, including agreements with the company SINOC, which is expected to install an innovation center for offshore wind energy in the university's technology park. A wind tunnel is planned for this project, reinforcing UFRJ's vocation to lead research in the energy of the future.
Oceans, bioeconomy and sustainable fertilizers
The rector also highlighted the importance of the oceans for climate regulation and the university's contribution with the National Institute for Oceanographic Research. The UFRJ's ocean tank, one of the deepest in the world, originally used for pre-salt research, now serves experiments with offshore wind energy.
In partnership with SENAI, the university works on projects related to bioeconomy, decarbonization, and gas rejection in oil exploration. One of the highlights is the development, together with BRAP, of a National Fertilization Center, focused on reducing CO₂ emissions in fertilizer production.
Strengthening the Global South and drawing inspiration from China.
Medronho concluded his speech with a firm defense of the insertion of UFRJ and Brazil in the context of the Global South, highlighting the relevance of multilateralism and alliances between developing countries. He recalled that UFRJ hosted the second forum of rectors of BRICS universities, with the participation of delegations from China, Indonesia and other countries of the bloc, and has already signed a cooperation agreement with one of the largest Indonesian universities.
"We are aligned with President Lula in strengthening the Global South, multilateralism, and building a healthier, more sustainable, more fraternal, and more just world," he stated, to applause from the audience.
Medronho's speech reaffirms the leading role of public universities as engines of innovation and social transformation, linking scientific research, international cooperation, and a commitment to sustainable development. Watch:
