Federal University of Rio Grande Do Sul

The Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul (UFRGS), originating from the Escola de Farmácia e Química in 1895, merged with several other higher education institutions to form the Universidade de Porto Alegre in 1934. It acquired its current name in 1947 and federal university status in 1950. As one of Brazil's largest federal universities, UFRGS boasts over 27,000 undergraduate students, 9,300 graduate students, and a faculty of over 2,500 professors. Renowned for its academic excellence, the university produces a multitude of prominent scientific publications. Situated primarily in Porto Alegre, UFRGS comprises four campuses—Centro, Saúde, Olímpico, and Vale—alongside various off-campus buildings and units in other cities, housing a total of more than 300 buildings across 29 colleges and 94 departments. The university's extensive facilities include 500 laboratories, 33 libraries, 37 lecture halls, UFRGS Press, UFRGS Museum, Botanical Garden, broadcasting center, observatory, campus accommodations, refectories, summer camps, and the nationally prominent Hospital de Clínicas de Porto Alegre. Notable alumni include several of Brazil's prominent politicians and civil servants, including former presidents Getúlio Vargas and João Goulart. UFRGS has a rich political history, evidenced by the elimination of 33 professors and numerous students during the darkest years of the military dictatorship from 1964 to 1969.