The 2024-2025 cycle of the Otavio Frias Filho Chair of Studies in Communication, Democracy, and Diversity concluded with a lecture by mathematician Marcelo Viana. Viana's address focused on the role of science as a driving force for development, discussing topics from the influence of algorithms in society to the critical importance of education in the fields of science, technology, and mathematics.

As the general director of the Institute of Pure and Applied Mathematics (IMPA) and a columnist for Folha, Viana expressed concerns about Brazil's significant deficit in training professionals in these essential areas. He pointed out that Brazil is lagging behind countries like China, where a staggering 50% of university students are enrolled in STEM fields (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics) and approximately 1.3 million engineers graduate each year. In contrast, Brazil produces only around 1.2 million engineers, illustrating the disparity in educational output.

Viana's remarks serve as a stark reminder of the need for a stronger focus on education in science and technology in Brazil to foster national development. His firsthand experiences in China have underlined the urgent necessity for Brazil to invest in its educational framework to compete globally in innovation and technological advancement. The implications of this knowledge gap raise concerns about Brazil's future development prospects if significant changes are not enacted in its education system.