Public Universities in Brazil: Between the Social Institution and the Service Provider Organization

Abstract

The research is financed by CAPES through the notice 047/2017

Abstract

This article is a contribution to the debate about the public university in Brazil and its political confrontations. The objective was to reflect on the role of the public university as a social institution in opposition to the proposal of its transformation into a service provider organization. The importance of this discussion is to present which political project is being proposed by the Brazilian government, how it transforms the link between the university and Brazilian society and what the consequences are. Its importance also lies in pointing out what are the possibilities of resistance of public universities. The argumentation was based on qualitative analysis of documents and bibliographic research. The study is structured in four parts; introductory discussion on the historical-social construction of the public university in Brazil; reflection on its function and social responsibility; presentation of the contemporary scenario of disorganization of the public university as a social institution; and, finally, the possibilities of resistance.

Keywords: Brazilian Public University, Social Responsibility, Social institution, Service Provider Organization

DOI: 10.7176/RHSS/10-24-01

Publication date: December 31^st 2020