Historical

The Universidade Federal de Viçosa (UFV) considers internationalization a matter of utmost importance for the institution. Part of this stems from the heritage of its founding process, which occurred through agreements and cooperation between the Brazilian and American governments. At the time, Dr. Peter Henry Rolfs, Director of the Florida Agricultural College at the University of Florida, was tasked with establishing, organizing, and leading the new institution of higher education in Brazil, which was inaugurated in 1926 as the Escola Superior de Agricultura e Veterinária (ESAV).

Another significant milestone for UFV’s internationalization process was the agreement signed with Purdue University, which enabled, from 1958, the arrival of a significant contingent of American experts. They provided significant assistance in setting up and operating postgraduate courses in the field of Agricultural Sciences. Through this cooperation, the university holds the title of being a pioneer in offering stricto sensu postgraduate programs in Brazil, following the American model of Magister Scientiae (MS), which was later adopted throughout the country with some modifications.

Since 2010, UFV has had a dedicated body, with the status of a Directorate, focused on the institution’s internationalization: the Office of International Affairs (DRI). Among the responsibilities of this body are the coordination of international mobility and the establishment of agreements with foreign institutions.

Currently, UFV has active agreements with more than 150 international educational institutions, with representatives from all continents. Additionally, starting in 2020, UFV began offering individual courses in a virtual format, taught in English. Alongside other forms of academic mobility and complete undergraduate and postgraduate programs, UFV had, in 2023, over 500 international students enrolled at the University.