Lucas Passos Santana

Infrastructure Engineer – Unicom Engenharia

My name is Lucas, and I am from Brazil, born and raised in Baependi, a small town of approximately 18,000 inhabitants in the state of Minas Gerais. From 2017 to 2019, I had the privilege of fulfilling a long-held dream: completing a Master’s degree in Infrastructure Engineering at Széchenyi István University in Győr, Hungary, through the Stipendium Hungaricum scholarship.

My academic journey

I am from Brazil, born and raised in Baependi, a small town of approximately 18,000 inhabitants in the state of Minas Gerais. Coming from a humble background, studying abroad once felt unattainable, but from 2017 to 2019 I had the privilege of fulfilling a long-held dream: completing a Master’s degree in Infrastructure Engineering at Széchenyi István University in Győr, Hungary, through the Stipendium Hungaricum scholarship. Being part of Széchenyi was not only a personal achievement but an opportunity to join a community thriving on academic excellence and cultural diversity. Engaging with this environment challenged me to grow beyond the classroom. Graduating with an excellent grade was a testament to the support I received from faculty staff, colleagues and the community. One of the most enriching aspects of my time at Széchenyi was meeting colleagues from all corners of the world. The exchange of ideas and cultures broadened my worldview and deepened my appreciation for cross-border collaboration. These interactions continue to shape my understanding of the value of diversity in addressing global challenges.

Beyond academic growth, I had the opportunity to engage with the Hungarian community. As a volunteer with Christian Ministries, I had the chance to contribute to a charity mission in Arad, Romania, where we provided meals to children in extreme poverty. This experience was transformative, reinforcing my commitment to using my skills to support vulnerable communities. In Győr, I also visited an orphanage, where I engaged with children, an experience that planted in me the hope of one day adopting a child.

My degree opened doors for new achievements

Returning to Brazil, my Széchenyi degree opened doors that might have remained closed. I was hired by Unicom Engenharia, one of Brazil’s leading geotechnical and shotcrete companies, and applied the knowledge and values cultivated in Hungary. Working on projects across several regions, I was proud to play a role in contributing to the development of communities. In 2023, thanks to the foundation built at Széchenyi, I was given the responsibility of leading Unicom’s bid for the American Shotcrete Association’s Outstanding Project Award. My contributions in both technical aspects and the overall application were crucial in securing the award, making Unicom the first Brazilian company to earn this honour. I was invited to Austin, Texas, to accept the award and co-authored an article on the project, published in Shotcrete Magazine. This achievement represents my most significant career achievement to date, and the knowledge and experiences I gained at Széchenyi were instrumental in making it possible.

My heritage

I am deeply grateful to be part of the alumni community of Széchenyi István University. A Hungarian colleague once shared that Széchenyi István is remembered as the „Greatest Hungarian” for his contributions to society. The seeds of learning, empathy, and collaboration planted at Széchenyi have continued to grow, and I hope that the spirit of charity and hope will flourish in the lives of those I encountered. With this vision, I aspire to continue spreading messages of progress and social transformation worldwide.