President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva received, this Monday (24), the title of doctor honoris causa in political science, development and international cooperation from the Pedagogical University of Maputo. Lula is on his way to the capital of Mozambique in celebration of 50 years of diplomatic relations between the two countries.
The honor recognizes Lula’s trajectory, in addition to Brazil’s contribution to the advancement of education and science in Mozambique. The university’s rector, Jorge Ferrão, said that more than 30% of the high-ranking scientific staff at the Mozambican academy, including masters and doctors, graduated from Brazilian higher education institutions, in cooperation signed during President Lula’s governments.
“The intangible impact of Mozambican professionals trained in Brazil, mostly during their presidential terms, roots the scientific and technological future of our country, contributing to outlining Mozambique’s unique character in the world,” said Ferrão.
“The Pedagogical University of Maputo opens its doors with a full heart because our gratitude is supreme and never runs out”, added the rector, mentioning that the granting of the title was also made on behalf of other Mozambican institutions.
Ferrão also said that, in 2012, during a visit to the country, Lula launched the Sonho Project, a distance education initiative for primary and secondary school teachers involving different Mozambican and Brazilian schools and universities. “At this time, more than 200 teachers benefited from the implementation of this generous gesture,” he said.
The rector highlighted that academic cooperation is a two-way street and that the Pedagogical University of Maputo received, in 2024, around 600 young people from Brazilian indigenous communities. Furthermore, in a project with the Federal University of Maranhão, the Mozambican institution made a commitment to participate in the formulation and teaching of Afro-Brazilian history and culture in the Brazilian curriculum.
Finally, Ferrão spoke about Lula’s commitment to social justice. “His decisive avant-garde step in the ideal of historical reparation and of restoring Africa to the place it was denied during centuries of slavery becomes increasingly enlightening,” he said.
“Your fight for the more than 700 million people who are still hungry around the world to gain food dignity will be something that will change the world’s consciousness,” he added.
President Lula during the ceremony awarding the title of Doctor Honoris Causa in Political Science, Development and International Cooperation from the Pedagogical University of Maputo. Photo: Ricardo Stuckert / PR
Best investment
Upon receiving the honor, President Lula cited some of the educational policies and policies to combat inequalities developed in Brazil and reaffirmed that the resources allocated to education are not spent, but “the best investment” that a government can make.
“I know how much abuse we suffer for not having had the opportunity [de estudar]. That’s why education, for me, is an obligation”, said Lula, receiving an ovation from the audience present.
“We cannot fail to understand that a young man with a degree is much more respected, he will get a better job, earn better, will be able to live better and build a better family. A well-educated girl will not accept living with anyone in exchange for a plate of food because she has training and has dignity”, he added.
Lula also said that Brazil owes a lot to the African continent, which helped to “forge the soul” of the country in its 300 years of slavery, and highlighted that the undergraduate cooperation program for foreign students is already 60 years old in Brazil.
“International cooperation is only fair when it is based on solidarity and respect for the dignity and sovereignty of each country. It is in this model that Brazil believes,” said Lula.
“There is no true democracy where the people do not have access to knowledge and there is no development when wealth is concentrated in a few hands. Educating means making equality of opportunities a concrete reality and not a distant promise. When we invest in education, we form conscious citizens, qualified workers and ethical leaders”, he stated.
