Caminhos para a inclusão da pessoa idosa na graduação pública: uma análise do concurso seletivo para o ingresso na Universidade Federal de Uberlândia

Abstract

The main objective of this study was to analyze the 60+ Selection Process promoted by the Federal University of Uberlândia (UFU) in 2024, aimed at enabling older adults intended for the admission of older adults into the institution's undergraduate courses. The literature review indicated that initiatives for the inclusion of older adults in organizations are still not widely established. With regard to education, it is observed that Youth and Adult Education programs and extension activities promoted by open universities for older adults provide benefits in several respects. However, the absence of public educational policies directed at this population, particularly concerning access to and retention in higher education, remains a challenge to be overcome. In this context, the public university may represent a means of changing this paradigm. In line with this objective, a documentary study with a qualitative and descriptive approach was conducted. The analysis of the selected documents, using the open coding method, revealed that the first 60+ Selection Process promoted by the UFU was implemented after the approval of an internal resolution by the Undergraduate Council, which established the of two positions for older adults within the scope of unfilled vacancies in undergraduate programs. The content of the analyzed documents indicates that among the main justifications presented for the institutionalization of a selection process aimed at the 60+ population are: the difficulty older adults face in accessing higher education and the university’s mission regarding this segment. The analysis also revealed that by conducting a selection process specifically aimed at older adults for undergraduate programs, the UFU positioned itself among the pioneering universities in implementing this initiative. However, the low number of filled positions relative to the total offered indicates the need to develop institutional actions that take into account the specificities of older students, particularly for the construction of a more inclusive university culture. Based on the research findings, opportunities for improvement related to the studied process were identified. From these, a technical guideline was developed outlining complementary actions aligned with expanding access and increasing participation in future 60+ selection processes offered by the institution.