The National Academy of Engineering concluded its seminar in Santa Catarina, warning of a decline in technical training and highlighting key challenges such as energy transition, industrial innovation, and the fight against university dropout.
The closing of the ANE 2026 Seminar — “The Future of Engineering in Brazil”, held at the Federation of Industries of the State of Santa Catarina (FIESC) in Florianópolis, brought to light crucial discussions for advancing the country’s infrastructure and innovation.
Addressing industrial leaders, researchers, and public managers, the National Academy of Engineering (ANE) called on the productive and academic sectors for an urgent mobilization aimed at strengthening technical and scientific education.
The event highlighted concerning data about Brazil’s educational landscape, which directly affects the country’s ability to lead sustainable development projects.
ANE’s president, Mário Menel, stressed the urgency of responding to the decline in new professionals, underscoring engineering’s role in building future solutions.
According to data from the Higher Education Census presented at the meeting, Brazil had only 39 engineering graduates per 100,000 residents in 2024 — a 15% drop from the previous year.
In Santa Catarina, the situation is equally challenging: about 60% of students who enroll in colleges drop out before completing their degrees, raising a warning about the need for sector reform.
Pedagogical Practices and Combating University Dropout
During discussions on academic training, the panel led by Sérgio Gargioni and chaired by José Roberto Boisson gathered specialists such as Emílio Matsuo, Flávio Grynszpan, Ernesto Heinzelmann, Adriana Maria Tonini (president of ABENGE), Márcio Filipe Crippa (from UniSENAI/SC), and Erwin Werner Teichmann (from IFSC).
The main goal advocated by the panelists was to curb university dropout through transversal curricula aligned with real market demands.
To bring young people closer to technology careers early on, the seminar highlighted the EngenhAção initiative, developed in partnership with Grupo ND, aimed at elementary and high school students in the state.
Energy transition and power grid on the agenda
The seminar’s agenda gave special attention to the strategic role of engineering in sustainability.
Panels focused on Brazil’s power grid discussed the stability and regulation needed to support the energy transition and the expansion of clean energy in the country.
Experts emphasized that energy security and the evolution of the bioindustry, with a focus on biofertilizer production, depend directly on highly skilled labor.
As highlighted by the president of ANE, Mário Menel:
The engineering Brazil needs starts with the people we decide to train today.
Technological sovereignty and next steps
Beyond the energy and education agenda, plenaries addressed technological sovereignty, exploring advances in artificial intelligence, industrial robotics, and the supply chain for rare earths.
Female leadership in the sector also gained prominence through discussions promoted by the “Nós da ANE” program.
As a practical outcome of the event, ANE announced that all content discussed will be compiled into the “ANE 2026 Seminar Book,” gathering expert articles and technical recommendations to support public and private decision makers.
The consolidation of the Alliance for the Future of Engineering in Brazil sealed the commitment to coordinate ongoing actions between institutions and industry to ensure sustainable growth in the coming decades.