Uesb inicia implementação de Bancas de Heteroidentificação para validar autodeclaração de candidatos aprovados por cotas raciais.

A University of Southwest Bahia (Uesb) has started the implementation of Identification Panels in the Vestibular and Sisu entrance exams from January onwards. This new process requires candidates approved through quota system, who self-declared as black, to undergo mandatory assessment by a Panel to confirm the veracity of their self-declaration. The main goal of this initiative is to prevent fraud in accessing the University and ensure the transparency of racial quota policies aimed at black individuals (black and mixed-race).

Throughout the past years, Uesb has been preparing to ensure better inclusion and empowerment of these individuals. In 2023, the Affirmative Action Policy was renewed, approving advances such as the implementation of the Identification Panels. Since then, several actions have been taken to ensure the success of the process, such as alignment meetings with university departments and training courses for the individuals who will be part of these Panels.

According to the dean of Affirmative Actions, Permanence and Student Assistance (Proapa), professor Adriana Amorim, this is a historic moment for Uesb. “We are all prepared for this moment, through constant dialogue, studying issues related to affirmative actions, quotas, heteroidentification, phenotypic verification, as this is part of a racial literacy. The University needs to have, in all aspects, a commitment to fighting racism, with an ethical commitment to social transformation,” she argues.

During the enrollment of candidates selected through the Unified Selection System (Sisu) and the Vestibular, those in the ethnic-racial category will be evaluated by a team at the enrollment site. The assessment will be based on the phenotypic aspects of the candidate, such as skin color, hair texture, face shape, lips, and nose, for example.

Candidates are advised to avoid wearing makeup, hats, caps, and glasses during this assessment. The use of cell phones will be prohibited during the evaluation. Candidates can authorize the documentation of the process (filming and photography) or not, but it is important to note that failure to authorize may prevent the candidate from filing an appeal. After the Panel evaluation, participants will receive a participation document, which must be submitted to the enrollment department along with the required documentation in the Call for Applications. Enrollment will only be finalized after the final decision of the Committee. Candidates who do not attend the Panel or have their self-declaration invalidated will lose their spot.

For further information, the Instructional Regulation will be published soon, or inquiries can be made to the Proapa department via email [email protected].