Universities face shortage of engineering professors

Official figures and leaders of universities have revealed that higher education is facing a new challenge in the problem of a lack of engineers, writes Fabio Takahashi for Fohla de S Paulo.

New positions in courses have been opened, especially in federal institutions. But now professors are missing. A Ministry of Education census shows that from 2010 to 2012, the number of engineering freshmen grew 65%. The number of professors grew just 21%.

In federal universities in Sao Paulo, 18 of 35 positions available for engineering professors in the last 12 months ended up not being filled. That's double those in other areas during the same period, according to an analysis by Folha of 168 openings. "There's a shortage across the country," said Gustavo Balduino, executive secretary of Andifes, the body that represents federal rectors.
Full report on the Folha de S Paulo site