Sintomas do mal-estar na universidade brasileira: onde estamos e para onde vamos?

Abstract

The conference transcribed here discusses the symptoms of malaise in brazilian university and points to clues as to how to reposition the role of the public university in the construction of symbolic mediations necessary to the public debate of contemporary social challenges. The discussion also involves the subjective condition of students included in higher learning institutions through the democratization of the accessibility to universities and the heritage of social and racial quotas, which demand a reflection on and a readjustment of the way in which the university functions. It is argued that university practices should be more engaged with society, through community outreach programs, for example. It is also demonstrated that it is within university’s reach to search for greater integration, in the sense of bringing together disciplines which are different, but all necessary for action in common ground.