O Instituto Federal de Educação, Ciência e Tecnologia do RS: A construção de uma nova institucionalidade

Abstract

The goal of this essay is to understand the construction of a new institutional framework of the Federal Institute of Education, Science and Technology of Rio Grande do Sul (IFRS), taking as empirical basis the experience of building process of the document that establishes the Teaching Organization (OD) of the Institution. The authors that underlies this study are mainly Berger and Luckmann, Bernardo, De Deus and Lück. The methodology used was the case study, with the help of document analysis, qualitative and quantitative research, divided into two stages, consisting of the collection of data and information analysis, and questionnaire to managers and staff, focusing on understanding of these about the process of building the new institutional framework of IFRS. The research sought to identify challenges, opportunities and advances in the conduction of the institutional construction process. Furthermore, it described the operation of the OD building process, and verified if the proposed methodology was designed from the perspective of democratic and participatory management. It also studied the functioning boards, commissions, committees, regulations, besides the management actions of the institution, which were key elements to identify the difficulties or viable paths for the formation of the new institutional identity. The research through research questions pointed out that one of the major challenges in building of this new institution has been the lack of participation of the academic community. Besides that, the multi-campus structure, history and sedimented practices constitute some of the barriers to this new identity. As a result this study verified the convenience and relevance of the proposed method for the construction of the document, which was indicated as a possibility for other institutional issues. This study concluded that the construction of the new institutional framework is a continuum, but it was a significant step from this process on. It also reassured that the path for the identity consolidation necessarily involves participation, collective construction and democratic management.