With this New Year message, I greet the entire B-MRS community in Brazil and abroad.
The year of 2019 was once again a major challenge for science, technology and innovation in Brazil, as well as for public universities. B-MRS concern with the scenario in the country was expressed in public notes and in the manifestation entitled Carta de Camboriú, which once again highlighted the fundamental role that knowledge generation and transfer plays in society. In 2020 we need to remain attentive to the actions and policies implemented by governments at different levels, as Brazil’s sustainable development cannot be expected without this generation of knowledge, today essentially done by universities and public organizations. There will be no development if the diligent work of researchers from Brazil is not accompanied by continued funding. No country in the world has developed or develops without public resources to build a technological base.
Despite the difficulties mentioned, the resilience of the Brazilian scientific community, and that of materials research in particular, made major contributions in 2019. Many of them were recorded in B-MRS monthly newsletters and our other communication channels. Our annual meeting in Balneário Camboriú had a record number of registrations and one of the largest audiences of all time. The enthusiasm of students and researchers was in stark contrast to the justified pessimism since the beginning of the year. This gives us reason for optimism in 2020, and B-MRS will continue its efforts to provide a space for debate and dissemination of the scientific-technological contributions of researchers from Brazil and abroad.
After two terms, ending in February 2020, at the head of B-MRS, this is my last message as president. I would like to thank very much my Board and Council colleagues, and I wish the whole materials research community health and success in 2020, looking forward to meeting many of you in Foz do Iguaçu (PR), from August 30 to 3 September, for our next meeting.
Professor Osvaldo Novais de Oliveira Junior
B-MRS President
