Federal University of Rio de Janeiro

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Not to be confused with  Federal University of the State of Rio de Janeiro,  Federal Rural University of Rio
de Janeiro, or  Rio de Janeiro State University.

Federal University of Rio de Janeiro

Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro

Other names UFRJ

Motto A Universidade do Brasil

Motto "The University of Brazil"

in English

Type Public research university

Established December 17, 1792
(228 years) (Royal Academy)
September 7, 1920
(101 years) (University)[1]

Budget R$3.8 billion (2020)[2]

Rector Denise Pires de Carvalho[3]

Academic staff ~4,200 (2020)[4]

Administrative ~9,000 (2020)[4]

staff

Students ~67,000 (2020)[4]

Location Rio de Janeiro

, 

Rio de Janeiro

, 

Brazil

22°51′45″S 43°13′26″WCoordinates: 
22°51′45″S 43°13′26″W

Campus University town

2,338 acres (946 ha)
(Main campus)

show

3 municipalities

Colors Yellow and White

   

Mascot Minerva

Website ufrj.br
The Federal University of Rio de Janeiro[5] or University of Brazil[6] (UFRJ; Portuguese: Universidade
Federal do Rio de Janeiro or Universidade do Brasil) is a public research university located in the state
of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. It is the largest federal university in the country and is one of the Brazilian
centers of excellence in teaching and research.[7] In terms of scientific, artistic and cultural productions it
is recognized nationally and internationally due to the great professors, researchers, reviews and
assessments made by international agencies.[8] In 2017 QS World University Rankings ranked UFRJ as the
best Brazilian federal university, as well as the third best university in the country occupying the seventh
position among institutions of Latin America.[9][10] In 2016 and 2017 the Ranking Universitário Folha (RUF)
ranked UFRJ as the best university in Brazil and the best Federal University in the country. [11] The Center
for World University Rankings (CWUR) published in 2017, rated UFRJ as the second best university in the
world in the Zoology field.[12]

Brazil's first official higher education institution,[13] it has operated continuously since 1792, when the
"Real Academia de Artilharia, Fortificação e Desenho" (Royal Academy of Artillery, Fortification and
Design, precursor to the university's current Polytechnic School) was founded, [14] and served as basis for
the country's college system since its officialization in 1920. [15] Besides its 157 undergraduate and
580 postgraduate courses, the UFRJ is responsible for seven museums, most notably the National
Museum, nine hospitals, hundreds of laboratories and research facilities and forty-three libraries. Its
history and identity are closely tied to the Brazilian ambitions of forging a modern, competitive and just
society.[16]

The university is located mainly in Rio de Janeiro, with satellites spreading to ten other cities. Its main
campuses are the historical campus of "Praia Vermelha" (Red Beach) and the newer "Cidade
Universitária" (College City), which houses the "Parque Tecnológico do Rio" (Technology Park of Rio) - a
science, technology and innovation development cluster. There are also several off-campus units
scattered in Rio de Janeiro: the School of Music, the College of Law Studies, the Institute of Philosophy
and Social Sciences and the Institute of History, in downtown Rio; the National Museum and the
Valongo Observatory (not to be confused with the National Observatory); and the high-school unit
"Colégio de Aplicação" (Application College) in Lagoa. To the city of Macaé, located in the State's
northern region, was dedicated a research and learning center focused on environmental issues and oil-
related matters, and the city of Duque de Caxias, in partnership with the National Institute of Metrics,
Normalization and Industrial Quality (Inmetro), saw the implementation of "Pólo Avançado de Xerém"
(Advanced Center of Xerém), aimed at boosting research in the fields
of biotechnology and nanotechnology.

UFRJ is one of the main actors in the formation of the Brazilian intellectual elite, contributing
significantly to build not only the history of Rio de Janeiro but also of Brazil. Some of its former students
include renowned economists Carlos Lessa and Mario Henrique Simonsen; Minister Marco Aurélio
Mello; the architect Oscar Niemeyer; the philosopher and politician Roberto Mangabeira Unger; the
educator Anísio Teixeira; the engineer Benjamin Constant; writers Clarice Lispector, Jorge
Amado and Vinicius de Moraes; politicians Francisco Pereira Passos, Osvaldo Aranha and Pedro Calmon,
besides the great physicians Carlos Chagas, Oswaldo Cruz and Vital Brazil.

Contents

 1History

o 1.1Creation

o 1.2Restructuring

o 1.3Present day

 2Organization

o 2.1Administration

 3Notable Rectors

o 3.1Statistics & Heritage

 4Structure

o 4.1University Centers

o 4.2Units and supplementary organs

o 4.3Libraries and museums

o 4.4Health complex

 5Campuses

o 5.1Rio de Janeiro

o 5.2Duque de Caxias

o 5.3Macaé

o 5.4E-learning poles

 6Academics

o 6.1Undergraduate courses

o 6.2Postgraduate courses

 7Students

o 7.1Admissions

o 7.2Notable alumni

o 7.3Student unions
  8Technological Park of Rio

 9Projects

o 9.1UFRJ Newspaper

o 9.2UFRJ Sea

o 9.3Getting to Know UFRJ

o 9.4Plant Waves

o 9.5MagLev Cobra

o 9.6LabOceano

 10Institutions

 11See also

 12References

 13External links

History[edit]

Creation[edit]

University Palace in the 19th century, when it functioned as a hospice. The building was given to
University of Brazil only in 1949.

The Federal University of Rio de Janeiro is a direct descendant of Brazil's first higher education courses.
Created on September 7, 1920 (Brazilian Independence Day) by president Epitácio Pessoa through the
Law Decree 14343, the institution was initially named "University of Rio de Janeiro". [17] Its history,
however, is much vaster and parallel to that of the country's cultural, economic and social development
(many of its courses trace back to the very foundations of Brazilian higher education system). [18]

In its inception, the university was composed by the "Escola Politécnica" (Polytechnic School, founded
on December 17, 1792 as Royal Academy of Artillery, Fortification and Design, during the reign of
Portuguese Queen Maria I),[19] the "Faculdade Nacional de Medicina" (National College of Medicine,
founded on April 2, 1808, by Dom João VI under the name of Academy of Medicine and Surgery) [20] and
by the "Faculdade Nacional de Direito" (National College of Law, which came to exist after the fusion
between the College of Legal and Social Sciences and the Free College of Law - both recognized by the
Law Decree 693 of October 1, 1891).[21][22]

1928 diploma certificated by then-University of Rio de Janeiro

To these initial units many others were progressively added, such as the "Escola Nacional de Belas Artes"
(National School of Fine Arts) and the "Faculdade Nacional de Filosofia" (National College of Philosophy).
Thanks to such achievements, the UFRJ toke crucial role in the implantation of Brazilian higher
education,[23] which was in fact an aspiration from Brazilian intellectual elite since the country's colonial
era.[24] Due to the longstanding tradition of its pioneering courses, the university functioned as the
"scholar mill" upon which most of Brazil's subsequent higher education institutions were molded. [25]

Restructuring[edit]

University Palace, neoclassical building finished in 1842. In the foreground, the Charity Statue, symbol of

piety towards the ill (the facility originally functioned as a hospice).

In 1937, Getúlio Vargas's minister of education, Gustavo Capanema [pt], announced a reform of the

education system, under which the institution changed its name to the "University of Brazil". The change
reflected the government's aim of controlling the quality of the national higher education system -
mainly by setting a standard by which all other universities would have to conform. Such decision was
strongly influenced by the French concept of university - that in which component schools are isolated in
order to assume a specific professionalizing teaching method under strong state control -, which
contrasted to the German model seen, for example, in the University of São Paulo, founded in 1934. [26]

The early 1950s marked the institutionalization of research in the university, which consequentially led
to the implementation of research institutes, full-time academic staff, instruction of highly specialized
professors and the establishment of partnership with national and international financing agencies.
In 1958, occasion for the 150-year anniversary of UFRJ's medicine school, the university was faced by
the urgent needs of a structural reform that stimulated deeper participation and cooperation among
professors and students with college affairs and a more rational, efficiency-based use of public
resources. After an ample sequence of debates and public consultations, the resulting plans for reforms
in University of Brazil were quickly absorbed by the scientific community, set a new standard for
national college planning and influenced even, among others, Brazilian communication industries and
government's decisional spheres.[27]

In 1965, under the government of general Castelo Branco, the university would achieve plain financial,
didactic and academic autonomy - a condition called, according to Brazilian legislature, "autarchy" - and
acquire its current name, which followed the still-active standard for federal university naming (i.e.:
Federal University of name of State or region).[28][29]

After the reformation process, the university was propelled into a deeper and riskier restructuring phase
that aimed to make the institution fit for the recently approved Law Decree of March 13, 1967 [30] - a
situation widely regarded as too bold for a nation with recent history as an independent territory and a
culture that, inheriting traits from the Portuguese colonial rule, heavily emphasized tradition and
stability.[31]

Present day[edit]

Ponte do Saber ("Knowledge Bridge") is one of the main access points to the campus at Ilha do
Fundão ("Backyard Island").

The UFRJ keeps an "open-doors policy" regarding foreigners who arrive at it to disseminate or
accumulate expertise; this also allows for internship or job opportunities for its teaching staff in different
institutions and areas of research. International interexchange and partnerships are profuse, leading to
reformist tendencies that most of times successfully coexist with the university's strong traditional ties.
[32]

The UFRJ adopts the Roman goddess Minerva - patroness of the Arts and all professions; also associated
with knowledge and intellectuality - as its mascot, [33] and many sculptures depicting the goddess are
seem scattered throughout the institution. [34] In 2000, the rectory requested to the Federal Justice that
the university's name was changed back to "University of Brazil", as the old name has been changed by
an arbitrary decree during the country's years of military dictatorship. The request was deferred, so it is
correct to address the university by either names. [6]

The university manages an ambitious program for extension courses, consisting mostly in providing full-
time education to financially debilitated non-students of varying education backgrounds. [35] Besides, the
UFRJ contributes heavily to Rio de Janeiro's public health with its nine college hospitals, providing for
over one thousand vacancies, and its deep integration with the State's health treatment network. [36] In
2010, the institution achieved a "very good" evaluation and a maximum score in the Ministry of
Education's General Index of College Courses ("Índice Geral de Cursos", or IGC in Portuguese). [37][38] Its
clear emphasis on research alludes to the personal motto of one of its most famous and distinguished
scientists:[39]

In a university, one teaches because one researches.

— Carlos Chagas Filho

Organization[edit]

The Rectory building, designed by architect Jorge Machado Moreira and finished in 1957, was awarded
in the same year at the IV Bienal Internacional de Arte de São Paulo. Its gardens were designed
by Roberto Burle Marx.

Administration[edit]

The Federal University of Rio de Janeiro is an autarchy and a public institution linked to the Ministry of
Education (MEC).[40] Its administration is commanded by the superior councils: the "Conselho
Universitário" (University Council), the highest decisional authority, presided by the "reitor" (rector); the
"Conselho de Curadores" (Curators Council), responsible for the financial books and budgetary matters,
also under rectorship rule; the "Conselho de Ensino de Graduação" (Undergraduate Council),
responsible for admission to undergraduate course and other undergraduate affairs, presided by the
pro-rector of graduation; and the "Conselho de Ensino para Graduados" (Graduate Council), responsible
for research activities and post-graduation courses, presided by the pro-rector of post-graduation and
research.[41]

The institution is also directed by a vice-rector and six other pro-rectors. The rectors are nominated and
chosen by the Ministry of Education (MEC) from a three-candidate list formed by a general election
every four years. In general, the MEC respects the electoral decision, choosing the most voted
candidate. The current rector (2014) is Carlos Antônio Levi da Conceição, with Antônio José Ledo Alves
da Cunha as vice-rector.[42]

The academic pro-rectories are as follows: "Pró-reitoria de Graduação" (Pro-Rectory of Undergraduate

Studies), "Pró-reitoria de Pós-Graduação e Pesquisa" (Pro-Rectory of Research and Post-Graduate
Studies), "Pró-reitoria de Planejamento e Desenvolvimento" (Pro-Rectory of Planning and
Development), "Pró-reitoria de Pessoal" (Pro-Rectory of Human Resources), "Pró-reitoria de Extensão"
(Pro-Rectory of Extension) e a Pró-reitoria de Gestão e Governança" (Pro-Rectory of Management and
Governance).[43]

"Salão Dourado"

"Capela de São Pedro de Alcântara"

The University Pallace

Serving as executive institutions are a total of eleven superintendencies: "Superintendência Geral de

Graduação" (General Superintendency of Undergraduate Studies), "Superintendência Geral de Pós-
Graduação e Pesquisa" (General Superintendency of Research and Post-Graduate Studies),
"Superintendência Geral de Planejamento e Desenvolvimento" (General Superintendency of Planning
and Development), "Superintendência Geral de Finanças" (General Superintendency of Finances),
"Superintendência Geral de Pessoal" (General Superintendency of Human Resources),
"Superintendência Geral de Extensão" (General Superintendency of Extension), "Superintendência Geral
de Gestão e Controle" (General Superintendency of Management and Control), "Superintendência Geral
de Governança" (General Superintendency of Governance), "Superintendência Geral de Tecnologia da
Informação e Comunicação Gerencial" (General Superintendency of Information Technology and
Managerial Communication), "Superintendência Geral de Políticas Estudantis" (General Superintendency
of Student Policies) e a "Superintendência Geral de Atividades Fora da Sede" (General Superintendency
of Non-Campus Activities).[44]

Notable Rectors[edit]
Night view of the University City: highlighted Saber bridge supported by 21 you are tied to a pylon.

Some of the famous figures[45] that have held the post of rector in UFRJ are: Benjamin Franklin Ramiz
Galvão, doctor, first-ever rector and former member of the Brazilian Academy of Literature(ABL);[46] Raul
Leitão da Cunha, doctor;[47] Pedro Calmon, former minister of Education and Health; [48] Deolindo Couto,
former member of the ABL;[49] Raymundo Augustto de Castro Moniz de Aragão, former minister of
Education;[50] Carlos Lessa, economist and former president of "Banco Nacional de Desenvolvimento
Econômico e Social" (National Bank of Economic and Social Development, BNDS). [51]

Statistics & Heritage[edit]

According to its yearly statistical report (2013), the university controls 52 units and supplementary
departments, each linked to one of six academic centers. It has a total of 48 454 active undergraduate
students plus 7 333 students in undergraduate online courses, and a yearly graduation rate of 5 381
students. As of post-graduation studies, there are 5 389 individuals undergoing master's degree and 5
5382 candidates for doctor's degree.[52] Of its 3 821 professors, 3 068 hold a doctor degree, 618 are
masters and 61 are specialists.[53] In addition, its high-school unit ("Colégio de Aplicação", or Application
School) accounts for 760 enrolled students. [54]

The university's main buildings are located at "Cidade Universitária" (College City, with 5.2 million m 2) in
"Ilha do Fundão" (Backward Island), but the campus at "Praia Vermelha" (Red Beach, with 100 thousand
m2) still gathers a plethora of units and supplementary departments. Additionally, there are the Institute
of Philosophy and Social Sciences, the Institute of History, the College of Law Studies, the Valongo
Observatory, the School of Music, the Residence of College Students and the National Museum (53 276
40 m2). Among the isolated health buildings there are the Maternity School, the São Francisco School-
Hospital and the Anna Nery Nursery Schools. The UFRJ possesses additional campuses in Rio de Janeiro's
Chile Avenue (8 550 m2), in the cities of Macaé and Duque de Caxias (149 869,18 m2), Jacarepaguá (10
000 m2), Arraial do Cabo and in Santa Teresa (a 1.5 million m2 research-only wildlife reserve).[55]
The National Museum is among the most important architectural heritages not only of the university,
but of Brazilian society as a whole

Structure[edit]

It is in the Center of Technology's Block A where the Institute of Chemistry and the Institute of Physics
are housed.

The university's modern-architecture City Hall is home of, besides the central bureau, the College of Fine
Arts and the College of Architecture and Urbanism.

Garden in front of the Center of Technology

Students at the Center of Technology's Library

UFRJ can be divided into six university centers plus the "Escritório Técnico da Universidade" (University
Technical Department), the "Fórum da Ciência e Cultura" (Forum of Science and Culture, FCC) and the
University City Hall.[56] Each center is made of dozens of units and supplementary organs responsible for
education, research and extension in their respective areas of knowledge. [57]

University Centers[edit]

 Center of Health Sciences  (CCS): the university's largest, involved in activities and research
related to biosciences. As a whole, it gathers ten units and fourteen supplementary organs:
three hospitals, three "nuclei" (headquarters), two schools, three colleges and thirteen
institutes. Activities are developed mostly at CCS's main building at College City, but there are
also units at Praia Vermelha, in downtown Rio, in Macaé and in Xerém. [58]

 Center of Technology  (CT): the university's second largest center, it manages two sprawling
engineering schools and two high-tech research institutes, all located at College City. The CT also
controls two business incubators and one foundation focused at technological studies. These
units were all previous to the center's foundation, each with a unique history, and their
performance is crucial to the national technological environment, given that together they form
one of the country's most influential tech-poles. [59]

 Center of Mathematical and Natural Sciences   (CCMN): originated from the traditional and
influential National School of Philosophy, it is made of five institutes and one observatory. Its
main infrastructure is located at College City. The Institute of Chemistry and the Institute of
Physics are located at Center of Technology's Block A and the Institute of Mathematics, at its
Block C, but both are units of CCMN. The Valongo Observatory is placed near the Mauá Park, at
the top of Morro da Conceição, and it is the country's only federal institution to offer
undergraduate course in Astronomy.[60]

 Center of Law and Economic Sciences  (CCJE): responsible for activities concerning applied social
sciences: administration, economics, law and urban planning. It gathers three units (schools) and
two supplementary organs (institutes) scattered throughout College CIty, Praia Vermelha and
downtown Rio.[61]

 Center of Philosophy and Human Sciences  (CFHC): encompasses interdisciplinary academic

activities regarding social sciences, especially those with theoretical focus on society formation.
The CFCH is made of six units (two schools, one college and three institutes) and two
supplementary organs (one headquarter and the Application College, which supports professor-
training courses). The CFHC is locates mainly at the campus of Praia Vermelha, though some
minor buildings are found in the regions of Largo do São Francisco and Lagoa. [62]

 Center of Literature and Arts  (CLA): similar to the other centers, it was founded in 1967. It
currently comprises four traditional units of UFRJ: two schools and two colleges focused on the
arts, language and architecture. Its main buildings are placed at College City, except for the
School of Music, which is located at downtown Rio. [63]

 COPPEAD Graduate School of Business (COPPEAD): The UFRJ School of the Business founded in
1973, located in its own building on the campus of UFRJ Fundão Island is the only business
school associated with a Brazilian public university that has international certification, whose is
the only of Latin America listed among the 100 best in the world by the prestigious Financial
Times ranking.