University of Passo Fundo (UPF)

The University of Passo Fundo (UPF) was established in 1968. Since then it has contributed to the cultural, economic, scientific, and social development of more than 100 Brazilian cities. It has therefore become one of the leading universities in the north of Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil’s southernmost state.

The university consists of three campuses spread across the city of Passo Fundo. The first campus is located in the São José neighbourhood and is home to the UPF Parque, the state’s first technological park. The second campus is situated in the centre of Passo Fundo appropriately opposite the main hospital as it houses the faculty of medicine. The third campus is also in the centre of the city, based in front of the Municipal Theatre Múcio de Castro, and is suitably home to the university’s choirs.

Divided into 12 academic units, the university offers over 60 undergraduate courses, 53 specialised courses, 15 masters, and seven doctorate programmes. These units include the faculty of arts and communication, the Institute of Biological Sciences, and the faculty of physical education and physiotherapy.

At the heart of the university is its mission to create and disseminate knowledge so as to enhance the quality of life for the local community. This is achieved through the research that the university carries out in its technological park. This helps the university to produce innovative scientific research and technological developments. These are then used to improve the region of Passo Fundo and contribute to the overall transformation of Brazilian society.