The Federal University of Juiz de Fora (UFJF) was established in 1960 as Brazil’s second federal university to be built in a rural area. It has become a leading university in business, design, innovation, science, and technology. The university is frequently ranked among the best universities in Latin America.
UFJF’s main campus is located in Juiz de Fora, a city in the state of Minas Gerais. The city sits deep in the Paraibuna River valley and is the centre of a highly developed agricultural region producing bananas, coffee, rice, sugarcane and other crops and livestock. Juiz de Fora is also known for manufacturing plastics and textiles. UFJF has a second campus in the city of Governador Valadares, another agricultural trade hub.
There are currently 93 undergraduate courses available at the university, as well as 36 masters programmes and 17 doctorate degrees. According to the General Index of Courses published by the Ministry of Education in 2015, UFJF’s undergraduate courses are among the top eight in Brazil. Some of these include architecture and urban planning, biological sciences, and electrical engineering.
For students seeking to take a break from their studies, the university offers several leisure areas. UFJF’s Sensorial Garden allows visitors to escape their ordinary routine in favour of relaxation. The garden is divided into four parts, air, earth, fire, and water, so that visitors can enjoy a variety of flowers and plants. The university’s Botanic Garden is located in the Atlantic Forest, providing an authentic experience for visitors to truly immerse themselves in nature.
