The General Index for Programs (IGC) is an indicator adopted in Brazilian higher education that seeks to express in a single number, the quality of all undergraduate, master's and doctorate programs in a higher education institution (IES). The IGC is based on aspects related to infrastructure, teaching resources and faculty, and is published annually by the National Institute of Educational Studies and Research Anisio Teixeira (INEP). Considering the effects arising from its results in 2008, the IGC has become a potential and controversial marketing tool to influence public opinion. Thus, it is important not only to properly understand the composition of this indicator, but also to identify how an IES could improve it. This article focuses on these two aspects, providing contributions in the discussion on the IGC and the National Higher Education Evaluation System (Sinaes).
General Index of Courses (IGC); Higher education evaluation; Enade; Sinaes
