Reflexões sobre as características identitárias dos institutos federais de educação, ciência e tecnologia

Abstract

Based on interviews conducted with six professors from a teacher education program, we perceive the need to expand discussions and understandings about the identity aspects of the Federal Institutes of Education, Science, and Technology — Institutos Federais de Educação, Ciência e Tecnologia (IFs). From the interviews to the analysis of the reports constructed by the subjects, we are guided by phenomenological assumptions. During the process of understanding the phenomenon, we focused into aspects related to the characteristics and transformations of the IFs, assessing the challenges faced in the (re)construction of an institutional identity considering its origin and the presence of other formative and institutional models, especially those of technical rationality and the university. In this sense, we discuss the approach of the IFs to the university model and the implications for the (re)cognition of their identity and the actions of teachers. We conclude that the IFs undergo a process of (re)defining identity, in which it is crucial to consider the objectives and purposes established by law, their historical roots, the transformations that have occurred, territoriality, verticalization, their relationship with other institutions and society, and their role in the local and regional context associated with the Network concept. In this process, the internal community plays a crucial role in reflection on and debate about 8uy7trsa l=the identity and role of the IFs.