Established in 1893, the Polytechnic School (EP) has featured a Civil Engineering program with a strong focus on Transport Engineering since its inception. EP played a vital role in the advancement and establishment of national technology in this area. Notably, it pioneered research on characterising tropical soils for road construction and introduced Traffic Engineering principles to the city of São Paulo in the 1970s. These initiatives were instrumental in shaping the city’s transport infrastructure and had a considerable impact on public policy and engineering practices throughout Brazil.

The Postgraduate Programme in Transport Engineering (PPGET) at the Polytechnic School was created in 1976 with the Master’s degree course and expanded in 1983 with the creation of the Doctorate course in Engineering Sciences, both stricto sensu. PPGET offers students the opportunity to obtain a Master’s degree in Engineering Sciences and a Doctorate in Engineering Sciences, without the former being a prerequisite for the latter.  Bachelor’s degree holders can apply for the Master’s program and may later transfer to the Direct Doctorate should they meet certain conditions. Alternatively, those with a nationally recognised Master’s degree can directly enroll in the Doctorate program. This structure provides students with flexible academic pathways to meet their individual needs and professional aspirations.

Three important aspects of the PPGET programme are worth highlighting. Firstly, the programme belongs to the University of São Paulo (USP), a highly regarded institution both in Brazil and globally for its standing and quality. This affiliation provides students with extensive opportunities to enhance their education through USP’s diverse and interdisciplinary environment. Renowned for its academic excellence and for providing an environment rich in resources and research opportunities, USP significantly enriches the PPGET student experience.

Secondly, PPPGET leverages a robust professional network encompassing consultancy and engineering firms, highway concessionaires, and transport-related government bodies. This proximity to the job market and governmental organisations facilitates student involvement in real-world, impactful projects, granting them significant experience and a thorough grasp of the transport sector’s challenges and solutions.

Thirdly, many postgraduate students engage in professional activities concurrently with their studies, a consequence of the program’s proximity to the job market. While this may extend their course completion time and present challenges, it offers valuable opportunities to apply theoretical knowledge and gain firsthand experience with real-world transportation issues at regional and national levels. This integration of theory and practice is a key advantage of PPGET, effectively equipping students with the competence and innovative thinking needed for the challenges of the job market.

PPGET is a long-standing programme that has educated many academic professionals who currently hold positions at numerous distinguished Brazilian universities, as listed below (grouped by state):

• State University of Campinas – UNICAMP (SP)
• São Carlos School of Engineering – EESC/USP (SP)
• Luiz de Queiroz College of Agriculture – ESALQ/USP (SP)
• Faculty of Architecture and Urbanism – FAU/USP (SP)
• São Paulo State Technological College – FATEC (SP)
• Institute of Mathematics and Statistics – IME/USP (SP)
• National Institute for Space Research – INPE (SP)
• Aeronautical Institute of Technology – ITA (SP)
• Department of Geography – FFLCH-USP (SP)
• São Paulo State University – UNESP (SP)
• Federal University of São Carlos – UFSCar (SP)
• Mackenzie Presbyterian University (SP)
• Paulista University (UNIP) (SP)
• COPPE/Federal University of Rio de Janeiro – UFRJ (RJ)
• Military Institute of Engineering – IME/RJ (RJ)
• State University of Rio de Janeiro – UERJ (RJ)
• Federal University of Ouro Preto – UFOP (MG)
• Federal University of Uberlândia (MG)
• Mauá Institute of Technology (MG)
• State University of Londrina (PR)
• State University of Maringá (PR)
• Federal University of Paraná – UFPR (PR)
• University of Brasília (Brasilia)
• State University of Maranhão (MA)
• Federal University of Bahia – UFBA (BA)
• Federal University of Santa Catarina – UFSC (SC)
• Federal University of Pará – UFPA (PA)

The PPGET at the University of São Paulo has also historically distinguished itself through its internationalisation efforts, promoting a wide range of initiatives including dual degree programmes, sandwich doctorates, post-doctorates, and joint research projects with international institutions. PPGET also actively organises academic events of global relevance and hosts visiting scholars from abroad. These efforts aim to foster knowledge exchange, increase the program’s international recognition, and offer valuable academic and professional growth opportunities for both students and faculty.

Despite a decrease in applicant numbers since the pandemic, the selection process adopted at PPGET remains rigorous and competitive due to the limited number of supervisees per supervisor, the number of supervisors, and a demanding entrance examination. This examination includes foreign language proficiency, a knowledge and writing test, curriculum vitae analysis, and an individual interview before a panel comprising at least three Programme professors. This rigorous process ensures that only the most qualified and dedicated candidates are admitted, upholding PPGET’s standard of excellence.