Federal University of Rio de Janeiro

The Federal University of Rio de Janeiro or University of Brazil is a public university in the state of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. UFRJ is the largest federal university in the country and is one of the Brazilian centers of excellence in teaching and research. In terms of scientific, artistic and cultural productions it is recognized nationally and internationally due to the great teachers, researchers, reviews and assessments made by international agencies. In 2014 QS World University Rankings ranked UFRJ as the best Brazilian federal university, as well as the third best university in the country occupying the fourth position among institutions of Latin America. In 2013 the Ranking Universitário Folha (RUF) ranked UFRJ as the second best university in Brazil and the best Federal University in the country.

The university is located mainly in Rio de Janeiro, with ramifications spreading to other ten 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.

UFRJ is one of the main culprits 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 educator Anísio Teixeira; the engineer Benjamin Constant Botelho; 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.

Official web-site: www.ufrj.br