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Marcos Vinícius, 24, from Acre, graduated in Economics from the Federal University of Acre (Ufac), was one of the five finalists for the national monograph award from the Federal Council of Economics (Cofecon), which recognizes the best course completion work in the country in the area. The result was received by him with joy and a feeling of accomplishment.
The native of Acre received a national award for his monograph/Photo: Reproduction
“Receiving this honor is a source of great pride and joy. It is confirmation that the effort, dedication and hours invested in research were worth it. It is more than a symbolic award for me, it is confirmation of a collective construction, with my friends, teachers, panel and family. It is the process that worked”, he stated.
Marcos graduated on July 2nd and says that his academic career was marked by dedication to research. “I have always been interested in research that could generate a real impact on society, especially when we are able to bring data and analyzes that help to better understand our reality,” he said. For four years, he was a scholarship holder for the UFAC Economics Tutorial Education Program (PET), an experience that, according to him, was essential for his training. “It was there where I learned most of the things I know about economics and public policies”, he highlighted.
The Cofecon award annually selects the five best monographs in Brazil. The first two places receive cash prizes, and third to fifth place are awarded honorable mentions. “This recognition is a type of award that highlights the best monographs in the country in the field of Economics. Students submit their work for evaluation, and the organizers analyze it considering some criteria”, he explained.
The economist says that he chose the theme of the monograph motivated by a personal experience. “Like a large part of the country’s population, I suffered from anxiety during the pandemic and I wanted my monograph to reflect something that represented me. I then thought: why not analyze how the pandemic boosted the number of suicides in the country and regions? I talked to my advisor, and he immediately agreed”, he reported.
The work, developed in just four months, received top marks in the presentation. “Being highlighted at a national level, representing the state of Acre and the Federal University of Acre, is an incredible feeling. It shows that our work, even coming from a region that is often little recognized, can have visibility and impact throughout the country”, he said.
For him, recognition is also a way of valuing scientific production carried out in the Amazon. “It’s a way of giving Acre a voice and showing that high-quality research is also produced here. We have a lot of good things in our state and in our city and, even with so much scrapping, with the daily struggle for survival, we managed it”, he stated.
Marcos hopes that his achievement can serve as an inspiration to other students. “I don’t know how this can boost my career, but I’m excited to perhaps inspire other students at my university and in my state to also seek excellence in their work and see that they can and do,” he added.
