Inaugural class presents competitiveness and sustainability in practice
Program opens doors to critical reflections on the impact of climate change and business innovations.
The month of February marks the start of a new academic journey for students at the São Paulo School of Business Administration (FGV EAESP). In the Professional Master's in Management for Competitiveness (MPGC), the largest professional master's in Brazil, the first course is not only an introduction to the syllabus, but also a strategic opportunity for integration and networking for the almost 150 new students.
The program kicked off with the subject Competitiveness Trends, taught by Professor Gilberto Sarfati, coordinator of the MPGC. The subject has an integrating and thought-provoking role: it proposes a reflection on the meaning of competitiveness and its multiple dimensions - organizational, human and institutional - as well as connecting theory and practice to prepare students for real challenges in the business world.
Competitiveness and sustainability in practice
The inaugural class featured a lecture by Bruno Serapião, CEO of Atvos, one of Brazil's largest clean energy companies. In his talk, entitled "The Role of Companies in Competitiveness and Sustainable Development", Serapião presented his experience at the head of the company and highlighted how it is possible to combine profitability with values such as sustainability, active governance and people management. He also stressed the importance of leadership in ensuring clear objectives and maintaining a focus on human capital, factors that directly impact organizational results.
In addition to the lecture, the students had sessions with the coordinators of their respective lines of research, delving deeper into the concept of competitiveness in their specific sectors. The Competitiveness Trends subject connects all eight MPGC lines and promotes a dynamic learning experience, with lectures, dialogues, group dynamics and interactive activities.
Simultaneous panels and interdisciplinary exchanges
During the course, students took part in several simultaneous panels. The topics covered reflected contemporary challenges and emerging trends, including artificial intelligence, sustainable leadership, the political challenges of 2025, geopolitics, mental health, intergenerational dialog and climate change.
Another highlight was the contact with some MPGC alumni, who shared their experiences and answered questions, enriching the exchange of knowledge between generations and preparing the new class for the challenges of the master's degree.
Professor Fernanda Carreira led an integration dynamic, allowing the students to meet colleagues from other lines of research and reflect on their expectations for the next two years of their master's degree.
Reflections on competitiveness and purpose
More than presenting theoretical concepts, the course challenges students to question and deepen their understanding of competitiveness. Professor Gilberto Sarfati provoked reflections on current dilemmas, such as: Do competitiveness and profitability always go hand in hand? Is it possible to reconcile professional purpose with high pay?
Throughout the 16 sessions, students deepened their understanding of competitiveness through research and practical discussions, exploring its relationship with the importance of health and well-being, diversity and inclusion as strategic factors, innovation trends influencing companies and the impact of climate change on the institutional landscape.
With this first module, the MPGC 2025 class begins its academic journey stimulated to think critically and apply the knowledge acquired to real scenarios.
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