In March, Fiotec celebrates its 27th anniversary, a trajectory that reflects its commitment to science, public health and the development of innovative and transformative projects. Founded in 1998 under the name Fensptec, with the aim of supporting the Sérgio Arouca National School of Public Health (Ensp/Fiocruz), Fiotec became officially recognized in 2002, when it was transformed into a foundation to support all Fiocruz units.
Since then, it has played a central role in the execution of major projects, both in Brazil and abroad. Do you want to know this history?
Side by side with Fiocruz
In 2005, the relationship between Fiotec and Fiocruz was consolidated with the signing of the first agreement, detailing the terms of the partnership between the two institutions. Since this formalization, the foundation has become a key player in supporting the execution of research projects, innovation and public health programs, always with a focus on the well-being of the population.
The partnership between the two organizations was and has been fundamental to the success of various projects, which have contributed significantly to the advancement of scientific development and the implementation of public health policies in Brazil and other countries.
Since 2009, with the qualification of Fiotec as a Social Organization (OS), the foundation has acted more independently, taking on the management of various projects with greater autonomy. One of the milestones of this phase was the partnership with Rio de Janeiro City Hall to manage the Manguinhos UPA, which has become one of the main health services for the region's population.
This management was also integrated into the Teias-Manguinhos project, an initiative that sought to improve the quality of life in the communities surrounding Fiocruz by promoting health, education and social development.
The following decade represented a phase of expansion and consolidation for the foundation. In 2012, Fiotec's regional office was opened in Brasilia, expanding the institution's presence on the national stage. At the same time, the construction of its own headquarters began to be discussed.
Until then, the foundation was located inside the Fiocruz Expansion building, but in 2015, Fiotec inaugurated its new headquarters on Fiocruz's Maré campus in Rio de Janeiro. This new space has provided better conditions for the development and execution of projects, reflecting the foundation's growth and maturity.
Fiotec currently has a collegiate board made up of the Executive Board, the Finance and Integrity Board, the Administrative Board and the Technical Board.
According to Cristiane Sendim, executive director, this governance model provides for a four-year mandate, a relatively short period for planning and execution. Faced with this scenario, management is seeking to continue the successful actions, expanding their scope in line with institutional demands and maintaining strategic interaction with Fiocruz.
She also commented that one of the fundamental pillars of management is to guarantee an integrated, inclusive and motivating internal environment, promoting collaboration between teams and strengthening the organizational culture. "This commitment not only contributes to Fiotec's sustainability, but also creates a space conducive to innovation and continuous process improvement," she said.
In this context, the director says that strategic planning (Pepar 2023-2027) plays an essential role, as it allows Fiotec's actions to be aligned with Fiocruz's constantly evolving needs.
With the growth and expansion of activities, it is even more necessary to have a structured plan that helps define priorities, optimize resources and adapt quickly to new demands.