The Science without Borders program and the systemic failure in the public policy cycle

Abstract

This article analyzes the Brazilian student and academic mobility program called Science without Borders, using the public policy cycle methodological tool. The study is based on the program’s available literature and documents and on a case study carried out in a Brazilian university. The program showed weaknesses in a systemic way, in other words, in all phases of its cycle, with problems occurring since the identification of the problem and formation of its agenda, but also in its formulation, implementation and evaluation. It was noticed that the policy was created and implemented abruptly and that its design was not adequate for the fulfillment of its objectives, also costing more than planned and not contemplating an evaluation of its complete cycle.

Higher Education; Evaluation; Public Policy; Science, Technology and Innovation; Student Mobility