The Coordination for the Improvement of Superior Education Personnel (Capes), linked to the Ministry of Education (MEC), has approved a change in the format of the Postgraduate Program in Judicial Provision and Human Rights at the Federal University of the state of Tocantins (UFT), from “singular” to “associative”, officially incorporating the Superior School of the Judges of the State of Tocantins (Esmat) as an associated institution. The change was approved without downgrading the rating of the program, which remains at 4 in the Capes evaluation.
The change formalizes the role of Esmat, which already played a central role in the functioning of the course: all classroom activities take place on its premises and, since the eighth class, the School has been establishing partnerships with bodies such as the Government of the state of Tocantins, the Court of Auditors, the State Prosecution and the State Public Defender's Office, strengthening the promotion of research.
Esmat is also responsible for maintaining the ESMAT Journal, a four-monthly journal linked to the Master's Degree with Qualis B1. The Master's program is currently in its 13th class, and the first class of the Doctorate began last March.
The proposal, analyzed by the Capes Evaluation Board, highlighted the academic maturity and integration between UFT and Esmat, institutions that since 2011 have worked together to promote STRICTO SENSU training aimed at improving the provision of justice and promoting human rights. According to the technical opinion, all the legal requirements for the new model have been met, including updated regulations, clear criteria for coordination and inclusion of associates, as well as shared infrastructure and scientific production.
Justice Marco Villas Boas, general director of Esmat, highlighted the relevance of the new format and the pioneering role of the institution.
“Esmat was one of the first schools of the judges in the country to offer STRICTO SENSU professional master's degree programs, aimed not only at training magistrates and judicial staff, but also accessible to members of society and partner institutions in the justice system. The change to the associative form recognizes and strengthens this institutional commitment to scientific production, the qualification of legal operators and the promotion of human rights,” he said.
Professor Luís Eduardo Bovolato, dean of UFT, also highlighted the importance of the change in format. “In my opinion, this change from a singular form to an associative one demonstrates the evolution and maturity of the program and the two main institutions that run it - UFT and Esmat. It reflects the institutional commitment and that of the entire teaching and technical-administrative staff. As a result, we have strengthened together, and the reach of our actions goes beyond the territorial limits of the state of Tocantins, offering the possibility of contributing with other partners to strengthen the judicial system. Society is the winner,” he said.
Teaching staff
Another highlight of the analysis is the qualification of the teaching staff and the physical structure offered by Esmat, which includes exclusive classrooms, an up-to-date library, a studio for recording classes and podcasts, as well as a dedicated work environment for the coordination and teachers. The Capes report also recognizes that the new academic organization gives the program a boost, expanding its capacity for national and international coordination, as demonstrated by the events held in partnership with the UN in Quito (Ecuador) and the International Congress on Human Rights in Europe.
Result
With the approval, the program is consolidated as a model of cooperation between academia and the justice system, promoting interdisciplinary and scientific training for law practitioners, and expanding the social, economic and cultural impacts in the state of Tocantins and other regions, such as in the states of Acre and Roraima, where the first off-site class has already been implemented. The new associative format is seen as a decisive step in the institutionalization of the successful experience between UFT and Esmat, strengthening the commitment to the qualification of judicial provision and the dissemination of a culture of human rights in Brazil.
