"Being trained in Public Policy Management enabled me to enter and remain in this environment historically lacking professionals specialized in the subject. More than a degree, it meant the beginning of a dream: to contribute to the advancement of the public sector in Brazil", this is how Joanna de Oliveira Guerra, current secretary of Natal Planning, defines the academic training she received at the Federal University of Rio Grande do Norte (UFRN), in the course she graduated in 2013.
With 12 years of history, the degree in Public Policy Management, based at the Center for Human Sciences, Letters and Arts (CCHLA), has already contributed to the training of more than 414 professionals, whose objective is to train managers with a generalist and critical view of governmental and non-governmental management of public policies, committed to Ethics and social responsibility.
"The Course qualified me for the job market in an area where the demand for professionalization is enormous and the qualification is fundamental to produce good results that reflect in goods and services for the population. Therefore, strengthening the Public Field is crucial so that we increasingly have excellent technicians and scholars in the area", highlighted Joanna Guerra, who also has a master's degree in Urban and Regional Studies, from UFRN (2019).
Current coordinator of the Course, Professor Anderson Cristopher dos Santos, stated that the degree is part of the National Curricular Guidelines in the area of Public Administration, established in 2014 by the National Education Council, with a long record of services provided to teaching, research and extension.
"The bachelor's degree in Public Policy Management (GPP) has contributed to the professionalization of government staff, combating institutional fragmentation. Establishing articulations and connections between governments and society in order to promote mechanisms for applying the knowledge generated and permanent channels of dialogue", highlighted the professor, who also mentions, we have a multidisciplinary profile in the permanent teaching staff made up of doctors, encompassing architects, economists, social scientists, administrators, public policy managers and geographers". Emphasized Anderson Cristopher.
Strategic management for the socioeconomic development of RN
A graduate of the first class of 2009, Pedro Albuquerque, has had the mission of coordinating the MAIS RN 2014-2035 Program for five years, an economic development macroplan for a 20-year horizon in the state of Rio Grande do Norte. “Every day I use techniques learned in GPP such as public budgeting, strategic planning, local economic promotion, in addition to constantly developing projects in line with those learned in the Public Policy Workshop”, says Pedro Albuquerque, who holds the position of Strategic Advisor at the Federation of Industries of RN (FIERN), with a constant dialogue with the National Confederation of Industry (CNI).
MAIS RN has been a compass for actions by public managers with a view to developing the economic potential of the various regions of Rio Grande do Norte. “The course was essential in the formation of these skills and I consider it essential to increasingly train and make available to Rio Grande do Norte society new professionals capable of contributing to the development of Rio Grande do Norte”, concludes Pedro.
Training Managers with a global and multidisciplinary vision
Head of the Department of Public Policies (DPP/UFRN), professor Lindijane Almeida, highlights that the profile of the graduate of the UFRN GPP Course, “is directly related to the ability to develop management, consultancy, advisory, planning, coordination and execution actions. The training of managers with a global and interdisciplinary vision, with leadership capacity in decision-making and management of public policies, based on the principles of justice and social participation, among other skills and abilities of our graduates, is extremely necessary for the efficiency of Brazilian public management/administration”.
Deputy Dean of Undergraduate Studies, Elda Melo, recalls that GPP deals with a whole cycle of actions such as problem agenda, formulation of public policies, monitoring and evaluation of these policies. “Thus, public policies take different forms, such as programs, laws, campaigns, legal decisions, among others, and can cover different areas of intervention such as health