While the first higher learning education centre in the Brazilian state of Minas Gerais was created in 1839, the modern day Federal University of Minas Gerais was founded in 1927. Upon its inception UMG combined a number of schools in the area in fields of law, medicine and engineering.
More recently established courses are agronomy, performing arts, computational mathematics, and automation.
UMG is located in the east Brazilian city of Belo Horizonte, a marvel of urban planning modelled around Washington D.C. The city also has a strong footballing culture, having been a host city in the 1950 and 2014 World Cups. A key conduit for travel in and out of the city is Confins International Airport, located on the city outskirts.
Sitting below the equator, the UMG holds its winter festival every July. The celebration brings together artists from across Brazil and the world to engage in courses, workshops and street exhibitions.
Every year there is also a "Knowledge Week" on campus, with the aim of sharing information and developments across different academic branches at the university. Graduates can also sign up to Academic Enrichment activities which can help them broaden their educational horizons outside a specialised area of study.
UMG also recognises the need for the university to communicate and foster the opportunities of students across economic and ethnic backgrounds, and is committed to this goal with scholarship programmes and outreach initiatives.
Notable alumni of UMG include former Brazilian prime minister Tancredo Neves, president Dilma Rousseff, and musician Samuel Rosa. Strong connections with former students are maintained through the Always UFMG Program.
