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Academic Achievement of Construction Worker Gains Relevance by Showing How Dedication, Dual Routine, and Applied Research Can Transform Professional Experience into a Study Recognized as a Reference.
The mason Antônio Francisco da Silva, 55 years old, completed his Bachelor’s Degree in Mathematics at the State University of Piauí (UESPI) after four years juggling heavy work during the day with classes in the evening.
The dual journey resulted in a Thesis that analyzes the application of mathematics in construction and that, according to professors, is now considered a reference for professionals and students interested in the subject.
The study routine always took place after work hours on the construction sites.
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Recalling the balancing act, he explains that he needed to keep up with the work pace while keeping up with his university subjects.
He said, “the classes are at night and I work during the day. With a lot of effort and dedication, I was able to balance study and work”.
Still, he did not neglect his academic activities, even in the face of the physical fatigue accumulated over the days.
Entry and Motivation to Study Applied Mathematics
Antônio entered UESPI in 2021 with the intention of understanding, in a more structured way, calculations and procedures already present in his professional routine.
The decision was motivated by the need to deepen knowledge frequently used by masons, such as material proportions, measurements of spaces, and geometry applied to structures.
Believing that mathematics was present in his work but rarely discussed with technical grounding, he sought the course as an opportunity to transform practice into formal understanding.
How the Thesis Topic Emerged
The topic of the Thesis arose from conversations with the advisor, Professor Afonso Norberto, who suggested linking the studied content to the experiences lived on the construction site.
In his words, Antônio stated that “I wasn’t even thinking. I had a lot on my mind, and while talking with Professor Afonso, my advisor, he gave me the idea to direct the Thesis towards my daily life in construction”.
The research addressed mathematical concepts present in measurement calculations, proportions, geometric layouts, and structural planning, highlighting tools that provide direct support for those working on construction sites.
The study also aimed to show how mathematics can contribute to safer and more efficient processes in the sector.
Evaluation of Teachers and Academic Relevance
Professor Afonso Norberto accompanied the entire development of the work and noted that Antônio’s professional experience was reflected in the final content.
For him, the Thesis authentically combined theory and practice, strengthening the discussion on applied mathematics.
The advisor stated that he was “very happy with the development, with his work, a very genuine work, a work truly from his day-to-day, a work that gives importance to mathematics in concrete applications, in practical applications.”
He also emphasized that the study should remain as a reference, as it clearly demonstrates how the discipline can be used in real contexts.
The coordinator of the Mathematics course at the Center for Natural Sciences (CCN/UESPI), Professor Jefferson Brito, also highlighted the student’s journey.
He points out that the recent graduate faced challenges common to those who need to divide their time between university demands and professional responsibilities but managed to maintain consistency and rhythm.
In his evaluation, Antônio showed progress throughout the subjects and demonstrated the ability to handle the course’s demands.
The coordinator stated that the student’s story “is a grand story,” reminding us that even in the face of difficulties, he maintained a strong will and continued to progress.
Impact of the Work on Other Students
Moreover, the coordinator believes that the Thesis developed by Antônio helps to show other students that mathematics has direct applications in everyday activities.
For him, research that bridges theory and practice tends to encourage those starting their degree and can broaden interest in specific areas, such as construction.
This type of work, according to Brito, reinforces the university’s role in presenting different dimensions of mathematics and stimulating new approaches within the course.
Integration Between Professional Experience and University
Antônio’s journey highlights the possibility of integrating knowledge acquired at work with academic training.
By transforming observations from the construction site into a subject of study, he exemplifies how professionals from different fields can enter the university and contribute with their own perspectives.
This combination also demonstrates the importance of public policies for access to higher education, which allow workers to enter college and develop research connected to their realities.
The result achieved by him expresses the importance of recognizing professional experiences as a legitimate basis for applied studies, especially in degree courses and areas focused on teaching.
The completion of the Thesis at the Torquato Neto Campus reinforces that learning can occur in multiple spaces and that diverse trajectories enrich the university environment.
For Antônio, finishing his degree represented a personal and academic milestone, summarized by his sense of “joy, satisfaction, and great happiness”.
With his diploma, he closes a chapter that began four years ago and leaves behind a work that unites concrete experience and mathematical foundations.
Antônio’s story, marked by persistence and discipline, now reaches other classrooms as an example of dedication and as a practical demonstration of the value of mathematics in construction.
In a scenario where continuous education becomes increasingly necessary, to what extent can trajectories like his inspire other workers to invest in their own future?
Olha,é difícil se chegar lá,e ainda mais no caso do sr.Antonio….
Começando pelo dia a dia dele,levantar muito cedo,a distância até o trabalho,8 horas no serviço pesado da construção civil, banho,um leve descanso,e a corrida até a aula,sem contar se conseguiu se alimentar durante o trajeto….ao término da aula se deslocar até a casa,quanta horas mesmo ? ,ao chegar deve revisar matéria,comer algo e dormir pra já,já levantar e começar de novo…..
Não foi fácil né ? Mas parabéns ao sr Antonio,merecidamente,e pelo seu esforço e da família ao apoia-lo….sucessos sr Antonio….