Universidade como espaço de segregação: não permanência das pessoas negras nos cursos de Engenharia Civil e Elétrica da UFCG.

Abstract

The work presented here aims to address issues involving structural racism present in the educational field, specifically in the university education. The main objective of the research is to analyze the non-permanence of students of black origin and those from lower classes in the Electrical and Civil engineering courses at UFCG - Campina Grande, identifying the difficulties encountered in non-continuity in said courses. The research uses a methodological approach that combines qualitative and quantitative methods, including interviews and content analysis. Through these interviews, reports were collected from three students who dropped out of Electrical and Civil Engineering courses, who shared their experiences and perceptions about the difficulties they faced during their academic career. The research results reveal that, despite inclusion and affirmative action policies, drop out rates in the university education are still a worrying reality. The students interviewed highlighted the lack of adequate student support and assistance, as well as the absence of effective policies to guarantee the retention and completion of courses. Furthermore, it was observed that many black students do not have access to information about racial quotas and do not fully trust the effectiveness of these policies. This highlights the importance of a more comprehensive approach in the field of such policies and on the part of educational institutions, including combating structural racism in the academic environment, promoting greater diversity in teaching staff and providing academic and emotional support to students. In short, the research highlights the need for effective policies to guarantee the retention and completion of Electrical and Civil Engineering courses by black students and students from lower classes. This requires an institutional commitment to providing adequate support, combating racism and promoting equal opportunities in Higher Education.