Brazilian President Lula opens seven IFSP campuses in São Paulo

President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva inaugurated seven new campuses of the Federal Institute of São Paulo (IFSP) in a hybrid ceremony from the Palácio do Planalto on 3 July. The campuses in Mauá, Bauru, Cotia, Miracatu, Osasco, Rio Claro and Santos were funded with a total investment of R$ 163.9 million, of which R$ 157.8 million came from the federal Novo PAC program. Each campus will accommodate between 800 and 1,400 students and will offer technical courses in fields such as industrial automation, renewable energy, biotechnology, electronics, pedagogy and cultural production.

The openings are part of a broader rollout of ten new federal institute campuses across Brazil, including sites in Amazonas, Espírito Santo and Piauí, bringing the total investment for the ten campuses to about R$ 206.6 million. Education Minister Leonardo Barchini highlighted the institutes as a model for integrated, full‑time education, while Vice‑President Geraldo Alckmin stressed the positive impact on the labour market and the need for qualified professionals.

Lula affirmed that expanding education is essential for Brazil's development, stating, “There is no other way for Brazil to make the quality leap we all dream of unless we prioritize education.”