When, after all, did science begin in Brazil? The seemingly simple question was the guiding thread of the third day of activities of the 4th act of... Symposium IOC Jubilee 125 years, held on December 9th, in the Emmanuel Dias auditorium, on the Manguinhos campus (RJ).
Presented by the president of the National Council for Scientific and Technological Development (CNPq), Olival Freire Junior, the lecture 'Science and technology in the history of Brazil: the 125 years of the Oswaldo Cruz Institute in the context of the history of science in Brazil' showed how the IOC It occupies a unique place in the formation of the Brazilian scientific system, precisely because it emerged during the transition between two centuries.
The meeting was mediated by a researcher from the Oswaldo Cruz House (COC/F).iocruz), Magali Romero Sá, and presented by the director of IOCTania Araujo-Jorge. Watch the full event:
At the beginning of his speech, Olival presented the concept of the history of science and explained that it is a relatively recent area of research in the country, consolidated from the 1980s onwards. Therefore, according to the speaker, many of its milestones, concepts, and periodizations are still under construction and continue to be debated.
In this context of recent consolidation in the field, Olival highlighted that one of the most intense—and still open—discussions concerns when science began in Brazil. According to him, the debate has historically been organized around two major interpretations.
On one hand, there are interpretations that place this beginning in the 20th century, associating science with the formation of modern universities and the consolidation of stable scientific communities, highlighting the creation of the University of São Paulo (USP) in 1934 as a symbolic milestone in this process. From this perspective, science only fully establishes itself when it has systematic training, regular production, and institutional recognition.
On the other hand, there are researchers who anticipate this milestone for the 19th century, highlighting the existence of scientific institutions prior to the modern university. This view draws attention to spaces such as the National Museum, the National Observatory, and the first institutes dedicated to medical and naturalistic research, which were already producing scientific knowledge during the imperial period.
According to Olival, although these two interpretations have made a decisive contribution to the historiography of science in the country, both have limitations when adopted in a rigid manner.
It is precisely at this point, the speaker emphasized, that the trajectory of the Oswaldo Cruz Institute challenges traditional periodizations. Founded in 1900, during the transition between the 19th and 20th centuries, the IOC It does not fully fit into either of the two interpretations, demonstrating that science in Brazil was constituted gradually, articulated with specific social, political, and institutional contexts.
"The most important scientific institution in this country is the Oswaldo Cruz Institute — which shares the beginning of its history with the Fioc"It's neither 19th nor 20th century. It was created in the transition from one century to another," he pointed out.
The president of CNPq also highlighted the trajectory of IOC This helps to challenge rigid divisions in the history of science. For him, understanding how scientific knowledge was constructed in Brazil requires looking beyond dates and formal institutions, also recognizing other forms of knowledge that contributed to this process over time.
"It is important to reflect that there is no way to date the beginning of the history of science, because, in fact, part of the Brazilian history of knowledge predates the arrival of the colonizers, with the indigenous knowledge," he highlighted.
Based on this reflection on origins and periodizations, Olival broadened the focus of the lecture to discuss how science in Brazil has been structured over time in direct dialogue with economic, institutional, and international transformations.
Olival highlighted, for example, that the consolidation of the Brazilian scientific system gained decisive momentum in the post-World War II period, when science and technology began to be seen as strategic elements for national development.
It was also during this period that fundamental institutions for the promotion and organization of research in the country were structured, such as CNPq and Capes, in addition to the creation of universities and research centers that helped shape a national system of science, technology and innovation.
The historian also drew attention to one of the central contradictions in the recent history of Brazilian science: the coexistence of the expansion of structures for promoting, training, and institutionalizing research with periods of political repression, such as the Military Dictatorship (1964–1985).
For him, this paradox poses challenges to the history of science and requires understanding not only institutional advances, but also the losses, interruptions, and generational impacts caused by periods of restriction on academic freedoms.
At the end of the lecture, Olival emphasized that reflecting on Brazilian scientific history — and, in particular, on the 125 years of the Oswaldo Cruz Institute — helps to understand current and future challenges of scientific production in the country.
"If there is one conclusion to be drawn, it is this: the relationship between science and democracy involves civilizational values. We want the development of the country, we want the development of science and technology, but we want this in an environment of freedom, an environment of democracy," he concluded.
Concluding the program, a plaque was unveiled at the Moorish Castle naming Room 201 the José Rodrigues Coura Room, in honor of the scientist who twice served as director of... IOC He played a central role in preserving institutional memory, as editor of the journal Memórias do Instituto Oswaldo Cruz, and was also one of the creators of the current [program/program/etc.]. Postgraduate Program in Tropical Medicinel.
The ceremony brought together researchers, leaders, and guests, including representatives from the Oswaldo Cruz House, the Institute's administration, and colleagues who worked with Coura throughout his academic and institutional career.
During the ceremony, a donation to the Institute of a painting depicting the Moorish Castle, produced by the Argentine ophthalmologist and artist Roque Alejandro Maffrand, was also presented.
The artwork was originally offered as a gift in 1991 to Cláudio Ribeiro, director of the Oswaldo Cruz Institute between 1993 and 1995, and now becomes part of the symbolic and historical collection of the institution. IOC. Click here to see Claudio's speech when making the donation.
The ceremony was also attended by Roque Alejandro Maffrand's family members, as well as colleagues and collaborators from different institutions.
When, after all, did science begin in Brazil? The seemingly simple question was the guiding thread of the third day of activities of the 4th act of... Symposium IOC Jubilee 125 years, held on December 9th, in the Emmanuel Dias auditorium, on the Manguinhos campus (RJ).
Presented by the president of the National Council for Scientific and Technological Development (CNPq), Olival Freire Junior, the lecture 'Science and technology in the history of Brazil: the 125 years of the Oswaldo Cruz Institute in the context of the history of science in Brazil' showed how the IOC It occupies a unique place in the formation of the Brazilian scientific system, precisely because it emerged during the transition between two centuries.
The meeting was mediated by a researcher from the Oswaldo Cruz House (COC/F).iocruz), Magali Romero Sá, and presented by the director of IOCTania Araujo-Jorge. Watch the full event:
At the beginning of his speech, Olival presented the concept of the history of science and explained that it is a relatively recent area of research in the country, consolidated from the 1980s onwards. Therefore, according to the speaker, many of its milestones, concepts, and periodizations are still under construction and continue to be debated.
In this context of recent consolidation in the field, Olival highlighted that one of the most intense—and still open—discussions concerns when science began in Brazil. According to him, the debate has historically been organized around two major interpretations.
On one hand, there are interpretations that place this beginning in the 20th century, associating science with the formation of modern universities and the consolidation of stable scientific communities, highlighting the creation of the University of São Paulo (USP) in 1934 as a symbolic milestone in this process. From this perspective, science only fully establishes itself when it has systematic training, regular production, and institutional recognition.
On the other hand, there are researchers who anticipate this milestone for the 19th century, highlighting the existence of scientific institutions prior to the modern university. This view draws attention to spaces such as the National Museum, the National Observatory, and the first institutes dedicated to medical and naturalistic research, which were already producing scientific knowledge during the imperial period.
According to Olival, although these two interpretations have made a decisive contribution to the historiography of science in the country, both have limitations when adopted in a rigid manner.
It is precisely at this point, the speaker emphasized, that the trajectory of the Oswaldo Cruz Institute challenges traditional periodizations. Founded in 1900, during the transition between the 19th and 20th centuries, the IOC It does not fully fit into either of the two interpretations, demonstrating that science in Brazil was constituted gradually, articulated with specific social, political, and institutional contexts.
"The most important scientific institution in this country is the Oswaldo Cruz Institute — which shares the beginning of its history with the Fioc"It's neither 19th nor 20th century. It was created in the transition from one century to another," he pointed out.
The president of CNPq also highlighted the trajectory of IOC This helps to challenge rigid divisions in the history of science. For him, understanding how scientific knowledge was constructed in Brazil requires looking beyond dates and formal institutions, also recognizing other forms of knowledge that contributed to this process over time.
"It is important to reflect that there is no way to date the beginning of the history of science, because, in fact, part of the Brazilian history of knowledge predates the arrival of the colonizers, with the indigenous knowledge," he highlighted.
Based on this reflection on origins and periodizations, Olival broadened the focus of the lecture to discuss how science in Brazil has been structured over time in direct dialogue with economic, institutional, and international transformations.
Olival highlighted, for example, that the consolidation of the Brazilian scientific system gained decisive momentum in the post-World War II period, when science and technology began to be seen as strategic elements for national development.
It was also during this period that fundamental institutions for the promotion and organization of research in the country were structured, such as CNPq and Capes, in addition to the creation of universities and research centers that helped shape a national system of science, technology and innovation.
The historian also drew attention to one of the central contradictions in the recent history of Brazilian science: the coexistence of the expansion of structures for promoting, training, and institutionalizing research with periods of political repression, such as the Military Dictatorship (1964–1985).
For him, this paradox poses challenges to the history of science and requires understanding not only institutional advances, but also the losses, interruptions, and generational impacts caused by periods of restriction on academic freedoms.
At the end of the lecture, Olival emphasized that reflecting on Brazilian scientific history — and, in particular, on the 125 years of the Oswaldo Cruz Institute — helps to understand current and future challenges of scientific production in the country.
"If there is one conclusion to be drawn, it is this: the relationship between science and democracy involves civilizational values. We want the development of the country, we want the development of science and technology, but we want this in an environment of freedom, an environment of democracy," he concluded.
Concluding the program, a plaque was unveiled at the Moorish Castle naming Room 201 the José Rodrigues Coura Room, in honor of the scientist who twice served as director of... IOC He played a central role in preserving institutional memory, as editor of the journal Memórias do Instituto Oswaldo Cruz, and was also one of the creators of the current [program/program/etc.]. Postgraduate Program in Tropical Medicinel.
The ceremony brought together researchers, leaders, and guests, including representatives from the Oswaldo Cruz House, the Institute's administration, and colleagues who worked with Coura throughout his academic and institutional career.
During the ceremony, a donation to the Institute of a painting depicting the Moorish Castle, produced by the Argentine ophthalmologist and artist Roque Alejandro Maffrand, was also presented.
The artwork was originally offered as a gift in 1991 to Cláudio Ribeiro, director of the Oswaldo Cruz Institute between 1993 and 1995, and now becomes part of the symbolic and historical collection of the institution. IOC. Click here to see Claudio's speech when making the donation.
The ceremony was also attended by Roque Alejandro Maffrand's family members, as well as colleagues and collaborators from different institutions.
The non-profit reproduction of the text is allowed as long as the source is cited (Comunicação / Instituto Oswaldo Cruz)
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