Perfil social e racial dos (as) estudantes quilombolas da Universidade Federal do Oeste do Pará - UFOPA - Campus Santarém (2018-2022)

Abstract

The Social and Racial profile of quilombola students enrolled at the Federal University of Western Pará (UFOPA) between 2018 and 2022 reflects the diversity and representation of this group at the institution. Considering that the quilombolas are descendants of enslaved Africans who settled in self-sustainable communities in Brazil, it is possible to state that the quilombola students enrolled at UFOPA who entered through the special quilombola selection process, represent a significant portion of the black population descended from slaves and from low-income families. income of the city of Santarém and other regions. In socioeconomic terms, many quilombola students are likely to face challenges related to a lack of access to financial resources, quality education and development opportunities in their communities. Furthermore, the presence of quilombola students at UFOPA may indicate progress in the fight for equal access to higher education and in the promotion of ethnic-racial diversity at the university, since their struggles are always based on their conquests for the territory. From a racial point of view, it is important to highlight that quilombola students contribute to the construction of a more inclusive and representative university, promoting the appreciation of Afro-Brazilian culture and combating structural racism. The presence of quilombola students at UFOPA strengthens the debate about the need for measures and affirmative actions to guarantee equity in the access and permanence of black people in higher education. In summary, the social and racial profile of quilombola students enrolled at UFOPA, between 2018 and 2022, points to the importance of having a special selection process for quilombolas, the promotion of ethnic-racial diversity and the need for affirmative action policies inclusive programs that guarantee equal opportunities for all students, regardless of their racial and social origin.