Public policies and organizational transformations at UFGD in times of pandemic

Abstract

The coronavirus pandemic has caused significant changes in society, including basic education and higher education institutions in Brazil. Institutions have had to adapt quickly to maintain their activities, even if virtually. The article analyses the public policies instituted in UFGD's organizational system during the period of the pandemic between 2020 and 2023 and addresses the impacts of adaptations that occurred in the institutional structure. To this end, the role of UFGD and its importance to the region were discussed, as well as its position in the face of the difficulties caused by the public calamity, and the main public policies implemented. The qualitative methodology was based on the authors' experience, contextualizing the actions and policies adopted by UFGD, focusing on the main measures and their practical impact from the point of view of students and administrative staff. The article shows the university's performance through decisions emanating from public policies implemented during COVID-19, established to direct the activities of the public body based on the situations posed. The measures benefited UFGD's academic and administrative community, including assistance to civil society. It was found that the deliberations and policies offered opportunities for several students to remain at the university, minimizing impacts on access and the quality of education and others linked to the university, while also revealing economic and social disparities.