“We are completing 15 years with much health; we are growing, and being recognized as one of the most important support foundations in Brazil”, affirmed Mauricio Zuma Medeiros, executive director of Fiotec. With these words, he opened the 15-year commemoration ceremony of the institution, held in 27/3. The event also marked the inauguration of the foundation stone of the headquarters building of Fiotec, which will be built in an area assigned by the Fundação Oswaldo Cruz (Fiocruz) in the surroundings of the Expansion Building.

The president of Fiocruz, Pablo Gadelha, participated in the solemnity. In his speech, he focused attention on the importance of Fiotec for Fiocruz. “Today Fiotec is inserted into a level of demand, complexity, requirement for professionalism, necessity to provide answers, in areas that are so diverse, that it compels each one of the employees to be extremely dedicated. My words are of recognition and encouragement. We will reinforce and give support so that this work of the new headquarters may be developed ", he said.

Pedro Barbosa, who besides being vice-president of Management and Institutional Development of Fiocruz, had also been an executive director of Fiotec for some years, was included in the panel that set the tone to the ceremony. “I want to hail and to congratulate this leap that Fiotec is taking, not only because of the building, but also for making it a symbol of a new standard, which I know is surpassed each day and at every moment with improvements, which are going to become a reality in this enterprise”.

The headquarters of Fiotec

The headquarters building of Fiotec is going to occupy an area of 2,400 m² and will have three floors, plus the basement and the top floor. Besides the work stations, the building will also have a specific place set aside for the leisure and recreation of the employees, with space for reading, a games room and gym. Another innovation is about the location of the Human Resources sector that will be in a different place, designed to attend the public with security, comfort and quality.

The auditorium will also be a novelty, with seating space for 95 people, a sound room with simultaneous translation and foyer. And the main one: the project was based on the standards of “sustainable buildings” supported by socio-economic studies. “It is a simple project, but very functional, which is going to provide very good working conditions for all the community of workers. Fiocruz can rely on Fiotec, we are preparing ourselves with ever greater quality to support Fiocruz more and better", added Zuma.

History of Fiotec

In 1998, when Fiotec was founded, two employees managed no more than 30 projects. Today, 300 collaborators are caring for more than 400. And the gift for those that give of their best day after day is the beginning of the construction of the headquarters building, which is going to provide better conditions of work and well-being for the employees to continue to build this story of success.

The general manager, Adilson Gomes dos Santos, is the first one to recognize the role of all those that have already worked in Fiotec. “As occupant of this office, I understand that Fiotec has much to be grateful for to all the professionals who have already passed through the institution. All these people have contributed toward the foundation coming of age and becoming a “young lady”, he joked.

José da Rocha Carvalheiro, vice-president of the National Institute of Science and Technology of Innovation in Neglected Diseases (INCT-IDN) and former executive director of Fiotec, spoke about the past. “The three external representatives of the first Board of Fiotec were against the creation of support foundations to institutions. They only accepted participating in the organization of Fiotec because it was linked to Fiocruz and could serve as an example of how a support foundation must function - with seriousness. I am happy, now that 15 years have gone by, to see that what we announced was carried out".

For Mário Dias Rodrigues, assistant to the Vice-Presidency of the Management and Institutional Development of Fiocruz and Fiotec’s former general manager, Fiotec has established itself, over the years, as a respected institution. “The construction of Fiotec has not been easy, but all of us have achieved it together. The difficulties and the lack of understanding that existed in the beginning have been overcome thanks to the work of the employees. Now, with the construction of these headquarters, it has reached a new level in its growth".