Office of the Vice-Rector for Innovation and Information Technology
The Office of the Vice-Rector for Innovation and Information Technology (PROITI) aims to foster innovation in academic and administrative activities by enhancing information systems and technologies, as well as expanding mechanisms for technology transfer to society in coordination with FURG’s Innovation Ecosystems. To carry out its activities, PROITI’s organizational structure includes the Science and Technology Park – OCEANTEC and the Center for Information Technology Management – CGTI.
OCEANTEC is dedicated to promoting knowledge-based economies by integrating scientific and technological research conducted at FURG with government agencies and various sectors of society. It strengthens FURG’s institutional mission by advancing technology transfer, intellectual property protection, entrepreneurship, and the development of innovative ventures, thereby increasing job and income generation in the regions where FURG operates.
OCEANTEC comprises the Technology-Based Business Incubator – INNOVATIO, the Office of Intellectual Property and Technology Transfer (EPITT), the Open Innovation Laboratory – OPENLAB, the BioTec Innovation Center (Marine Biotechnology) and the iTec Innovation Center (Robotic Systems and Automation – Embrapii Unit), as well as FURG’s Junior Enterprises.
Among the services offered by OCEANTEC are:
- Intellectual property protection requests
- Recognition and support of Junior Enterprises
- Business incubation
- Entrepreneurial training programs
- Proposal and management of partnership agreements to connect supply and demand for innovative products and services
CGTI is responsible for designing, developing, and structuring the information technology services required to support FURG’s academic and administrative operations, thereby providing an informational environment characterized by accessibility, transparency, and service effectiveness.
Key services provided by CGTI include:
- Implementing institutional IT policies
- Coordinating the qualification of IT systems and technologies
- Organizing, expanding, and maintaining up-to-date IT infrastructure
- Planning and monitoring activities related to information systems, information security, network engineering, network services, and user support
The Embrapii iTec/FURG Unit is committed to producing, providing, training, disseminating, and transferring technologies and infrastructure in the fields of Robotics, Automation, and Data Science, enhancing the competitiveness of public and/or private organizations through the development of innovative technological solutions—including job and income generation in FURG’s region of influence.
The Role of Digital Transformation in Processes and Organizations
Through CGTI, the Vice-Rector’s Office manages innovation and digital transformation initiatives across the University’s IT systems and services to better serve both the university community and society. Digital transformation of processes—and consequently of organizations—aims to:
- Deliver simple, intuitive digital public services consolidated on a single platform
- Ensure broad access to the University’s open data and information, enabling civic engagement and digital innovation
- Promote integration and interoperability between the University’s databases and those of government entities
- Encourage innovation in data- and evidence-based information management, offering predictive and personalized services using emerging technologies
- Adopt cloud-based process and service technologies as part of the University’s technological infrastructure
- Optimize IT infrastructures
Fostering a Culture of Innovation and Entrepreneurship
To stimulate interest in innovation and entrepreneurship among students and the academic community, the Vice-Rector’s Office promotes technological development projects and programs—including scientific, technological, and innovation initiation—funded by private resources, FURG’s own funds, and public funding agencies such as Embrapii, Capes, CNPq, and Fapergs.
Since 2020, the Embrapii iTec-FURG Unit has established partnership agreements with companies, engaging students, researchers, and staff in technology transfer through the development of prototypes that address real-world challenges faced by the productive sector.
Since 2016, the Entrepreneurial Education Project has organized events, learning tracks, workshops, and hackathons to train students and connect them with companies and local communities.
The MAI/DAI-CNPq Program (Academic Master’s and Doctoral Programs for Innovation) provides scholarships for Master’s, Doctoral, and Industrial Technological Initiation students, enabling Graduate Programs to collaborate with regional companies and industries.
The Technological Innovation Fair (FITEC) and the Innovation Congress (CITEC) showcase the University’s entrepreneurship and innovation initiatives to the public. These events bring together society, students, Junior Enterprises, entrepreneur-scientists, inventors, academic units, and innovation ecosystems such as OCEANTEC and INNOVATIO.
Organizational Structure of PROITI
Contact Information
Office of the Vice-Rector for Innovation and Information Technology – PROITI
Email: proiti@furg.br
Phone: +55 (53) 3233-6635
Science and Technology Park – OCEANTEC
Website: www.oceantec.furg.br
Email: oceantec@furg.br
Phone: +55 (53) 3237-3009
Center for Information Technology Management – CGTI
Website: www.cgti.furg.br
Email: cgti@furg.br
Phone: +55 (53) 3233-6569
Center for Robotics and Data Science – iTec
Website: https://itecfurg.org/
Email: itec@furg.br
Phone: +55 (53) 98101-0119
Paulo Drews – Director of iTec
Technology-Based Business Incubator – INNOVATIO
Website: www.innovatio.furg.br
Email: innovatio@furg.br
Phone: +55 (53) 3237-3044
Office of Intellectual Property and Technology Transfer – EPITT
Website: www.proiti.furg.br
Email: proiti.pi@furg.br
Phone: +55 (53) 3237-3009