On November 27th, 28th and 29th, 2024, the 7th edition of the Congress of the National Council of Foundations to Support Higher Education and Scientific and Technological Research Institutions (Confies) took place, bringing together more than 500 representatives of foundations and public organizations. With the theme "Foundations in Support of the Brazil of the Future: neo-industrialization, technological innovations and society", the event stood out for the debate on the role of research support institutions in the context of a new industrialization in the country.
The congress was attended by authorities such as the Minister of Science, Technology and Innovation, Luciana Santos, and representatives of the Ministry of Health, the Federal Court of Accounts and the Public Prosecutor's Office. During the opening ceremony, the Secretary of Science and Technology for Social Development, Inácio Arruda, praised the relevance of the subject, highlighting the importance of integrating industry, research and innovation.
Fiotec was present in several panels, with important contributions from its team. Executive director Cristiane Sendim participated in the table on "Occupational Health", sharing Fiotec's post-pandemic challenges, including the experience with the Covid-19 Hospital Reference Center. Raquel Raad, the institution's people manager, presented the Qualified Professional Insertion Project (IPQ), which promotes the inclusion of people with disabilities in the labor market. In addition, Fiotec's IT team discussed innovations in systems and processes, and Marianna Magalhães, lawyer and legal manager at Fiotec, mediated debates on the National Public Procurement Portal and the advances of the Legal Framework for Science, Technology and Innovation.
The event was also marked by the election of the new Executive Board and Fiscal Council of Confies for the 2025-2026 biennium. Antônio Fernando Queiroz was reappointed to the presidency, with Sandramara Matias Chaves as vice president. Cristiane Sendim was elected substitute director for the Southeast Region.
The 7th Confies Congress consolidated its importance as a space for the exchange of experiences and strategic definitions for the development of teaching, research and innovation in Brazil.