Copel Launches Third Edition of Aluno Energia Program with Key Advancements

Strategic Insights -

The Parana State government announced that Copel has opened registration for the third edition of the Aluno Energia program, which aims to support quota students of Electrical Engineering in public universities in Parana. This year's program brings significant changes, including the allocation of 40% of vacancies primarily for women and the expansion of participation to different universities in the State. The program offers scholarships, mentoring, and internships to 20 selected students, with a focus on low-income quota students and students with disabilities.

Key Takeaways:

  • The Aluno Energia program grants scholarships, mentoring, and internships to quota students of Electrical Engineering enrolled in public universities in Parana.
  • The program reserves 40% of vacancies primarily for women and expands participation to different universities in the State.
  • A total of 20 students will be selected, with admissions exclusively for low-income quota students enrolled in the first or second semester of Electrical Engineering.
  • The program also reserves spots for people with disabilities.
  • Successful students receive a scholarship equivalent to the regional minimum wage (R$1,984.16 in 2025), a laptop on loan, and supervision by professional company tutors.
  • The program lasts up to five years, with the first three years being spent on a scholarship and the last two as a paid internship.
  • Copel invests R$20 million in solar energy for Ilha do Mel, Superagui, and other coastal locations.
  • According to INEP data (2023), only 58% of electrical engineering students in Brazil continue to the end of their studies, posing a significant challenge for low-income students.
  • The Aluno Energia program was created to reduce this dropout rate by offering financial and academic support.
  • Participant Vanessa Golembioski highlights the initiative's importance in her career, saying it provided her with the freedom to focus on her studies without worrying about financial strains.
  • Mentored by Rafael Radaskievicz, manager of Copel Distribuicao's Network Projects and Measurement department, Golembioski credits the program with helping her gain confidence, expand her network, and prepare for the market.

Statistics:

  • 40% of vacancies in the Aluno Energia program are reserved primarily for women.
  • 20 students will be selected for the program.
  • R$1,984.16 is the amount of the scholarship equivalent to the regional minimum wage in 2025.
  • Only 58% of electrical engineering students in Brazil continue to the end of their studies, according to INEP data (2023).

Sources:

  • Copel
  • Parana State government
  • INEP (2023)
  • CIEE/PR website
  • www.copel.com/site/aluno-energia-copel
  • UTFPR