The issue of scientific training – scientific initiation (SI) in Brazil – for medical students is as old as evidence-based medicine. It goes far beyond training a new generation of physician-scientists needed for the continuous advancement of human health care. Advancements that throughout the 20th century led to doubling the average life expectancy, by saving lives in childhood and prolonging life in adults and the elderly through prophylaxis and treatment of deadly diseases. Science training is crucial for medical students, […]

Scientific initiation is a term used in Brazil to refer to Undergraduate Research Experiences (UREs). Students join a research group and develop an individual project under the guidance of a mentor, typically a faculty member, researcher or other healthcare professional with a PhD. While these experiences are intended to cultivate critical skills in data collection, analysis, and interpretation, evidence suggests that students often devote most of their time to data collection and analysis, with limited engagement in understanding the broader […]

In common parlance, the term “event” often evokes images of celebrations, ceremonies, or large gatherings meant primarily for leisure. However, when considered in the academic environment, event planning can be understood as a pedagogical tool that fosters organizational, interpersonal, and leadership skills among students. Far from being limited to logistical tasks such as scheduling rooms, event planning becomes a formative process in which students learn to manage resources, coordinate teams, and handle unforeseen challenges. In this sense, organizing an academic […]