AEAV Leadership Pays Institutional Visit to the UFV Rector
4 de August de 2025
On Tuesday, July 29, 2025, the board of the African Students Association of Viçosa (AEAV) paid a courtesy visit to the Rector of the Federal University of Viçosa (UFV). The meeting was also attended by Professors Vladimir Oliveira Di Iorio, Director of the Office of International Relations (DRI), and José do Carmo de Araújo, both long-standing supporters of the association and of African student initiatives at the university.
Throughout the meeting, several important topics concerning the African student community at UFV were addressed. AEAV President Samuel Famuyiwa presented the rector with an overview of the association’s current structure — which includes over 100 students from 15 African countries — as well as its institutional goals, current action plans, and the main achievements of both past and current leaderships. He also highlighted the association’s partnerships with Black collectives, Afro-Brazilian groups, and the Viçosa City Hall, particularly in initiatives focused on the well-being of AEAV members and their children.
Professor Vladimir emphasized the significant growth in the number of African students at UFV in recent years. He attributed this trend to the university’s expanding offer of courses in English, which has attracted students especially from Anglophone countries such as Nigeria, Ghana, and Uganda, in addition to Portuguese-speaking nations.
At the end of the meeting, the AEAV representatives expressed their gratitude for the warm reception and institutional support — especially during Africa Week — and formally submitted two requests: the allocation of a physical space on campus to serve as the association’s headquarters, and official recognition of AEAV as a UFV student organization.
The Rector praised the association’s work, acknowledged its importance in the university’s efforts to promote diversity and internationalization, and committed to reviewing the proposals presented, aiming to identify feasible solutions.
In addition to President Samuel Famuyiwa, the following AEAV board members were present:
- Jamila Aboobacar – Vice President
- Innocent Unzimai
- Miraine Kapeua
- José Enrique Boya Mebulo
