The number of highly qualified people, graduated by Brazil as doctors and masters was never so high. For the first time in the Brazilian history it was reached the target of graduating 10,000 doctors and 40,000 masters a year.
This number of professionals was graduated last year, according to a study by the Ministry of Education's Foundation for Improvement of Higher Education Students (Capes).
The figures also show that there are 2,400 Brazilians currently studying in 30 countries with scholarships, participating in exchange and professional improvement programs.
In 2006, 10,868 doctorate scholarships and 15,646 masters scholarships counted on the support of the Capes. These numbers represent an increase of 33% and 32%, respectively, over the numbers of 2001.
One of the targets established in the National Post-Graduate Program (PNPG 2005-2010), a document that is part of president Lula's government plan, is the graduating of 16,000 doctors per year by 2010.
The Brazilian postgraduation program can already boast to support other countries. The implantation of the first Cape Verde's (in Africa) public university relied on Capes' technical consultancy and experts. That institution will be guided by Brazilian standards.