ECOTECHNOLOGY AND THE COUSTEAU SPACE FOR WATERS: PARTNERSHIP BETWEEN UFTM AND COUSTEAU FOUNDATION
ECOTECHNOLOGY
In the design of the UNESCO CITY OF WATERS, UFTM – Federal University of Triângulo Mineiro – partnered with the Cousteau Society Foundation for the installation of the entity – Ecotechnology. Designed by Jacques Cousteau and adopted by UNESCO, Ecotechnology has educational content with the proposal of restoration and preservation of degraded areas, in hotspots worldwide. Currently, Ecotechnology is present in 13 countries. The Cathedra has been offered by the Cousteau Foundation as a major contribution to the creation of this entity of HidroEX. The UFTM already
has the design for the implantation of a campus in the city of Frutal, with funds made feasible by Federal Congressman Narcio Rodrigues together with the Federal Government.
The cathedra of Ecotechnology for the CITY OF WATERS will dedicate a large program of capacity building and education for the “restoration of the Brazilian Cerrado”. Known as the Brazilian Savannah, the Cerrado was occupied in a disorganized and predatory manner, with total disrespect for nature. It is necessary and urgent that a recomposition is made of its degraded areas and that in the entire territory – which covers eight Brazilian States – a sustainability pact is made in order that the existing Savannah in Brazil can accomplish two historical ends: to continue being a
great food producer of the country and perform the role of environmental protection for the Amazon. Helping with these proposals will be the great objective of the UNESCO-Cousteau Ecotechnology Cathedra.
The Triângulo Mineiro Federal University has accepted this challenge from UNESCO HidroEX. The architectural project has earmarked investments of R$ 14 million, with resources made available from parliamentary amendments together with the Ministry of Science and Technology. The physical structure will accommodate, as well as the activities of UNESCO-Cousteau Ecotechnology, academic activities which permit that UFTM integrate with the efforts made by UNESCO and the Minas Gerais Government to implant a large capacity building and education pole for waters in the State.
UFTM : INSTITUTION WITH MORE THAN 50 YEARS OF RESEARCH
The UFTM was founded in 1953 and today offers 24 undergraduate courses, with 1,324 places per year for university entrance. Currently, more than 3,000 students are enrolled in undergraduate, about 750 in Post-graduate and more than 450 in Professional Education courses, totaling more than 4,200 students. The UFTM ranks among the best in the country and is recognized nationally for its tradition and quality of its activities, acting as a powerful tool for scientific and technological progress of the country in several areas of human knowledge.
As well as a teaching tradition, UFTM has earned, through over 57 years of existence, national and international recognition for activities of post-graduation, and research and development. In research, dedication and special attention to Chagas disease, schistosomiasis, leishmaniasis and other tropical diseases common in the region has been made. The organization has in Uberaba, a city near Frutal, a modern hospital that is the main center for specialized care in the region composed of Emergency Medical Treatment, Outpatient Facilities and Rehabilitation Center.