The honor was granted by Paul Sabatier-Toulouse III University, in France
Photo: Giordano Toldo
Professor and researcher Sandra Mara Oliveira Einloft, from PUCRS’s School of Technology, received an Honorary Doctorate Degree from Paul Sabatier-Toulouse III University, in France. The professor, who is also Dean of the school, talks about how honored she feels with the recognition of her work and with the fact that her efforts are valued and appreciated by renowned institutions.
“Knowing my name was suggested by researchers I collaborate with at Paul Sabatier-Toulouse III University (UPS) and having gone through referees in my area of expertise who assessed the relevance and impact of my work is highly gratifying,” she celebrates.
The Honorary Degree is also known by “Honoris Causa”, which means “for the sake of the honor” in Latin — the expression designates the title granted to professionals who have great relevance and importance in their areas of expertise. Granting the Honorary Degree requires the approval of many people and institutions. In professor Sandra’s case, the approval was given by the University of Toulouse’s scientific committee and the French Ministry for Foreign Affairs. By invitation of the institution, the Dean must go to France to personally receive the title by the end of July.
In addition to being very exciting, the researcher also receives the title with a great sense of responsibility:
“It involves remaining committed to continue working on behalf of academic excellency and of the advance of scientific knowledge in the area of climate change, more specifically in the development of technological solutions for the capture of carbon dioxide released in industrial processes, which is the area of my work and collaboration with UPS.”
PUCRS has scientific research partnerships with several international institutions all over the world — one of them being UPS. Sandra collaborates with the French university since 2011, and the partnership has already granted three doctors double degrees, in addition to a new PhD student starting this year, with plans of spending one year in France in 2025. “We have already published 15 joint scientific articles, and in 2014 I worked as visiting professor at UPS. In these years, we had several missions of Brazilian researchers visiting UPS and of French colleagues visiting our university,” she explains.
Sandra has a degree in Chemistry from the Federal University of Santa Maria (UFSM), and a Masters and PhD in Mining Engineering from the Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul (UFRGS). She also as a postdoctoral degree from the Pièrre and Marie Curie-Paris VI University. At PUCRS, she was Director of the School of Chemistry between 2004 and 2017, and is currently head teacher and dean of the School of Technology. As a researcher, her work focuses mostly on climate change, and more specifically on the capture and transformation of CO2.
As a woman in a position of authority in predominantly male fields, like engineering and technology, the professor says that being awarded the Honorary Doctor degree for her work in these areas shows that gender barriers are gradually being surpassed, and that women are increasingly occupying spaces of leadership and influence in these fields.
“This representativeness is fundamental to inspire other women and show them that they, too, can seek careers in these fields, encouraging them to follow their professional goals, regardless of gender bias. In addition, in occupying this position, I have the opportunity to promote diversity, gender equity and inclusion, working to create a more equitable and welcoming environment for all students and professionals in the field,” she points out.
Also read: Juremir Machado receives Honorary Doctorate Degree from French University
