<b>Educating nanotechnology workforce in Brazil: companies demands and university supply</b> - doi: 10.4025/actascihumansoc.v34i2.18781

Abstract

Nanotechnology is considered a strategic area within the Brazilian Science, Technology and Innovation policy. It has been promoted since 2001, and more intensively since the launching in 2004 of the National Program for Nanoscience and Nanotechnology. Since 2009, the Nanotechnology Competitiveness Forum comprises a Working Group that has been analyzing the workforce needs for the development of nanotechnology in the country. The purpose of this paper is twofold. Firstly, we analyzethe profile of the workforce employed in activities involving nanotechnology and the demands of companies in terms of qualification. Secondly, we examine the supply of trained professionals by three undergraduate nanotechnology courses in the country. Based on questionnaires completed by companies in different industries that develop or use nanotechnology and interviews with coordinators of the nanotechnology courses, we identified a strong emphasis on interdisciplinary training. We found that most of current nanotechnology workers have post-graduate level and work in R&D. With respect to the provision of training in nanotechnology, our research shows two paths: one course offers interdisciplinary training in nanotechnology generally, with contributions from chemistry,physics, biology and engineering, and two others propose a specialization in nanotechnology from courses in physics and engineering.