Grand Challenges Scholars Program - GCSP at the Engineering School, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais / Programa Acadêmico Grandes Desafios para a Engenharia, Escola de Engenharia, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais

Abstract

The structure of the Grand Challenges Scholars Program (GCSP) of the Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais -UFMG, School of Engineering, linked to the National Academy of Engineering (NAE) former initiative, is presented. This academic program has an aspirational vision of educating professionals for facing the challenges of engineering in the twenty-first century. The approach is based on an integrative methodology, geared toward the formation of critical competencies, with a focus on solutions to global problems. It creates opportunities for cooperation, as well as develops multicultural and multidisciplinary competencies, social ability, and commitment. Currently, the courses at the UFMG School of Engineering are adapting to meet the new national guidelines for Engineering courses in Brazil, published in January 2019, and the GCSP is a pilot program, capable of transforming the methodology, the mentality, and the educational and technological tools it uses, into an alternative for all engineering courses at UFMG. The Program started its activities in the School of Engineering in 2020, despite the challenges and limitations imposed by the Covid-19 pandemic. The operational criteria and the internal organization were defined, and the Program was introduced to the students. The first initiatives of the Program - with broad access to engineering students and open to the participation of students from other areas - included the Call No.01/2020 - Covid-19 and the I Sustainability Workshop, held in 2021.