At times, a problem becomes more manageable when given a platform. Such was the case with Projeto INTEGRA, conceived to solve the visibility issue that plagued various initiatives at CEFET-RJ (Centro Federal de Tecnologia Celso da Fonseca). Far from being just a directory, INTEGRA metamorphosed into a nexus for community engagement.

The spark for INTEGRA ignited during my tenure as the Secretary of Extension at the student union. Despite a plethora of impactful projects at CEFET-RJ, they suffered from a lack of awareness and student involvement. My survey pointed to a strong willingness among students to engage, contrasting sharply with their limited awareness of such opportunities.

INTEGRA had three cornerstone objectives:

  • Amplify the reach of CEFET’s initiatives to a broader audience.

  • Facilitate students in discovering projects where they could make a difference.

  • Construct an exhaustive database comprising all projects across the various CEFET campuses.

The platform spotlighted summaries of over 60 ongoing projects, offering a convenient way for students to reach out to coordinators.

At its zenith, INTEGRA saw more than 1000 visits in a single month, validating its utility. The influence of the platform transcended the bounds of the Maracanã campus, rippling into other locations like Maria da Graça and Itaguaí. Essentially, it democratized the flow of information, facilitating more expansive student involvement across campuses.

Recognizing its substantial impact, INTEGRA was awarded a scholarship grant from CEFET. This financial support catalyzed the development of features that elevated its user experience. Of note, we committed to making the platform inclusive for visually impaired individuals, thereby widening its accessibility.

The merits of INTEGRA didn't go unacknowledged. The platform garnered a medal when showcased at CEFET's Technology Fair, serving as a dual symbol of both its practical utility and the recognition it received.

INTEGRA isn't just a monument to technological innovation; it's a testament to how tech can mend fissures in community engagement and bring overlooked projects to the limelight. While metrics and honors furnish some gauge of its reach, the true marker of its success resides in the heightened student participation and the awareness it generated for initiatives that might otherwise have remained in obscurity.