Uepa celebrates 32 years of history in education, science, and commitment to the Amazon

The State University of Pará celebrates 32 years of a history written with education, science, and commitment to the Amazon. The anniversary date occurred on Sunday (18). Uepa results from the merger of the state colleges of Nursing, Medicine, Physical Education, and Education, through State Law No. 5,747, sanctioned by then-governor Jader Barbalho in 1993, which consolidated the University in higher education in the areas of Education and Health, and since then the institution has been expanding its teaching, research, and extension actions. Uepa also includes the area of Technology.

The Government of Pará emphasizes that the achievements of the University reinforce the essential role of the university institution in training professionals committed to the development of the Amazon. The history of Uepa is built daily by staff, students, teachers, researchers, and alumni who continue to believe in the transformative power of knowledge.

Angela Costa, a Uepa staff member for over 18 years, highlights that the institution "over the years has built a trajectory marked by achievements and commitment to education, research, and extension in our state of Pará." For her, Uepa is "a source of inspiration for generations, a pride of our population, and a trainer of ethical professionals and conscious citizens."

The institution is also part of Pará families, and the relationship with the university spans generations. Antônio Carlos de Araújo Bichara has been a Uepa staff member for 16 years. He has the great satisfaction of his daughter, Ana Paula Souza Bichara, graduating in Occupational Therapy from Uepa and currently also being part of the technical staff of the institution.

“My daughter and I share the privilege of being part of such a recognized institution as Uepa, uniting generations in favor of teaching, assistance, and extension,” highlights Antônio, who currently develops his activities at the Center for Science and Planetarium of Pará (CCPPA).

Ana Paula Bichara expresses her gratitude for having graduated from Uepa and, today, as a staff member, being able to contribute to the institution and society. “Since my undergraduate studies, Uepa has contributed to my professional and personal growth. I hope that the institution continues to strengthen, transforming lives through education.”

Throughout its 32 years, Uepa has expanded its presence in Pará, reaching 11 of the 12 regions of Pará, with physical campuses, in addition to offering courses through special programs, such as Forma Pará and the National Teacher Training Program (Parfor), which reaches over 2,500 students in more than 70 municipalities.

Marked by pioneering spirit, it is the public university of the state to offer the course in Speech Therapy, for example. Edna Larissa Costa Pinto, a student of the course, entered the university in 2022, and since then, she has taken advantage of the academic experiences that contribute to her personal and professional formation.

“Uepa is an institution that welcomed me, challenged me, and taught me a lot; it represents a fundamental role in my construction, both academically and professionally. I am very proud to be part of CCBS and the Speech Therapy course. It is wonderful to see how much Uepa and our course have grown within the institution, expanding opportunities, training professionals and people committed to caring for others. Being able to follow this development closely is gratifying and fills me with hope for the future of the profession in public health in the State,” says Edna Pinto.

Uepa has 23 campuses and more than 15,000 students

In recent years, the university has undergone a significant phase of expansion and strengthening of its infrastructure. Two new campuses were recently delivered: one in Parauapebas, in southeastern Pará, in September 2023; and the other in Ananindeua, in the Metropolitan Region of Belém, in January 2024. With these new units, Uepa reaches the mark of 23 campuses distributed throughout Pará.

The number of available spots has also accompanied this growth: in 2024, more than four thousand spots were made available for new students. The number of enrolled students currently exceeds 15,000, in undergraduate and graduate programs.

Celebrating the 32 years of the institution is reaffirming the importance of continuing to fight for a university that values its people, respects its roots, and believes in the power of teaching, research, and extension to transform society.