Unicamp welcomed the 2026 freshmen this Monday morning (February 23rd) with a walk that began at Praça da Paz and ended at the Multidisciplinary Gymnasium on the Barão Geraldo campus. During the walk, there was much camaraderie with the upperclassmen and a festive atmosphere for the newcomers, who received a welcome kit containing a t-shirt, a mug, and a meal voucher for their first lunch at the University Restaurant, as well as plenty of information about the University.
The general coordinator of Unicamp, Fernando Coelho, emphasized that this is one of the most important moments of the year at the University. “It’s a very important day because it marks the beginning of an academic year in which we celebrate 60 years of existence. It is, therefore, a day of celebration,” he said at the welcoming ceremony in the Multidisciplinary Gymnasium. “I want you to know that you are arriving at one of the best public universities in the country and one of the most important in Latin America. Enjoy it,” he added.
The rector of Unicamp, Paulo Cesar Montagner, welcomed the students "from all campuses" and offered an exhortation. "Enjoy yourselves. Unicamp is a public university. Extremely strong in research, it has excellent teaching and great extension programs. Therefore, live intensely the experience of living in a university," he said.
According to the general coordinator, in recent years Unicamp has advanced in many directions, whether in the different forms of access, in the implementation of increasingly vigorous inclusion and retention programs, and in the pursuit of academic excellence, "always thinking about diversity and integration." He also thanked the parents of students, "who entrusted their children to the University."
The Vice-Rector for Undergraduate Studies, Mônica Cotta, who accompanied the walk, also highlighted the importance of the celebration. “For those who are arriving, my recommendation is: take advantage of it. The University is a wonderful space that gives you the freedom to do and discover many things. Go for it, it's a unique opportunity. And I also have a word for the parents: that they rest assured, because at Unicamp we don't have violent hazing and we will do our best to take good care of all our students.”
The coordinator of the University Entrance Exam Commission (Comvest), José Alves de Freitas Neto, says that the welcoming party is the culmination of a long and complex process that began with registration for the entrance exam. “If we consider the 80 who register through the university's own processes and the more than 100 through the Provão Paulista exam, we are talking about a process that selected 3.600 students. Therefore, we wish these selected students a successful and diligent period of study, because it is important for the student to know that they are occupying a place in a public university and they must value this great achievement,” he stated.
Marcela Santander, advisor to the Pro-Rector of Undergraduate Studies (PRG) and responsible for the organizing committee of the freshman orientation, emphasized the importance of introducing the University to new students. “We show that there is a complete infrastructure in place and that students will receive support at all times during their academic journey. We also bring together all student organizations to present their projects and welcome the new students, in addition to showcasing sports practiced at the University,” she added.
Dreams and expectations
Originally from Feira de Santana, Bahia, Enzo Machado arrived in Campinas a week ago to prepare for his new journey. A freshman in Electrical Engineering, he said he always wanted to study at Unicamp. “I researched the course and the University beforehand, saw everything it offers, and it increased my desire to come here. In these first few days, I've met a lot of people and already found a place to live, but I'm still settling in. Now, finally, classes are going to start,” he stated.
Larissa Costa Amaral, a 20-year-old resident of Campinas, is a freshman in the Media Studies program and celebrated the realization of a dream. “I tried the entrance exam before, but I didn't pass. I'm so happy to have succeeded. It was truly my dream to take this course. I have high expectations for discovering a whole new world.”
Karina Vazo, from Jundiaí, a freshman in Economics, said she got to know the University during the Unicamp Open Doors (UPA) event. “I always wanted to study Economics at Unicamp and I came twice to the UPA, the first time during high school and the second time during my pre-university course. My expectations are the best; I want to enjoy the course and the University. I will continue living in Jundiaí and take the chartered bus,” she said.
The group formed by students Gabriely Muniz, Giovanna Laura, Ana Carolina Macena, Jaciel Lima, and Lorraine Silva got into the celebratory spirit. Accepted into Unicamp's Interdisciplinary Higher Education Program (ProFIS), a free two-year higher education course aimed at students who completed high school in public schools in Campinas, they are already making plans. In ProFIS, after the course, students can enter Unicamp's undergraduate program without taking the entrance exam. "We have an open mind; we want to learn about all the courses to make a better decision," said Muniz. "That's the positive aspect of ProFIS, this opportunity for us to choose the right course for each of us," added Silva.
Piracicaba and Limeira
At the Piracicaba campus, the Faculty of Dentistry (FOP) also welcomed its freshmen this Monday. Meanwhile, at the Limeira campus, which will receive about a third of Unicamp's incoming students this year, the welcoming activities will take place on Tuesday, with sports and cultural activities and stands for information and participation from student groups. In the morning, there will be activities at the Faculty of Technology (FT), and in the afternoon, the celebration will be at the Faculty of Applied Sciences (FCA).
Discover: more information about the 2026 Welcome Week.
Cover photo:
