A responsible for operating one of the largest academic connectivity infrastructures on the planet, turns 36 at a time of technological consolidation and institutional strengthening.
Created in 1989, the organization was born as a research project to connect universities and scientific centers across the country. And this was even before the commercial internet existed in Brazil. “The technology we adopted for the academic network was the same that was being developed in the United States and that would later become the internet itself”, he recalls. Leonardo Lopesfinancial manager at RNP.
Until 1999, the project operated as an initiative financed by federal resources, the IT Law and even international organizations, such as the United Nations Development Program (UNDP).
The turning point occurred in 2002, when RNP was qualified as Social Organization (OS) federal, linked to the Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation (MCTI). Since then, the entity has operated with a focus on public impact, not financial return.
“Our results are not measured by profitability, but by the benefits generated to the academic community and society”
Strategic connectivity and national operations
Today, the infrastructure of serves more than 1,800 teaching and research institutionsincluding federal and state universities, federal institutes and teaching hospitals. And this makes the network one of the pillars of scientific and educational connectivity in Brazil.
The difference, according to Lopes, is its reach and strategic role. “We promote connectivity and the good use of technology in favor of education, research and the population. In poorly connected regions, we bring digital inclusion through structuring programs”, he says, citing initiatives such as Connect e Internet Brazilaimed at economic development through access to quality technologies.
Delicate moments and financial adjustments
But the trajectory was not always linear. As it is maintained by public resources provided for in the Annual Budget Law (LOA), the RNP has already faced periods of imbalance in federal transfers. The most critical episodes occurred in 2016 and 2018. “We had a direct impact on our financial flow. To overcome this, we improved long-term planning and renegotiated deadlines with suppliers”, explains the financial manager.
The actions helped to preserve the continuity of services and reinforced the need for more robust management. Movement that would open space for new unions.
The relationship between RNP and XP began in 2022 and, since then, has gained relevance within the organization’s financial strategy. The focus is on the management of the reserve fund, maintained with a conservative profile.
“XP supports us with consistent analyzes of the global political-economic scenario and with the best investment options within our institutional guidelines”
The proximity of the advisory team, which has been working with the entity for more than three years, brought predictability and security to allocation decisions.
Strategic support and possibility of expanding the relationship
For the partnership has become a fundamental component of financial governance. “The support is complete and directly contributes to achieving our strategic objectives as a social organization that helps connect the country”, highlights the executive.
The gain in trust is so significant that the institution is considering expanding the scope of the relationship. One of the possibilities is the creation of financial education for employeesconducted with support from XP. “We are studying expanding this partnership because we believe in the positive impact it can generate internally”, adds the executive.
