Federal University of Sergipe (UFS)

The Federal University of Sergipe (UFS) was founded in 1968. It was the first public university in Sergipe, Brazil’s smallest state. UFS has five campuses spread across Sergipe, with its main one located in the city of São Cristóvão. The other campuses can be found in the cities of Aracaju, Itabaiana, Lagarto, and Laranjeiras. There are two hospitals affiliated with the university, the University Hospital of Aracaju and the Lizard University Hospital. Both hospitals provide quality healthcare to the local community while offering medical students practical experience. The university offers both undergraduate and graduate degrees. There are over 100 undergraduate courses and 46 graduate courses, including nine PhD programmes and 37 Masters programmes. The university’s main mission is to contribute to the progress of the state through the dissemination of knowledge. UFS encourages its students to help with the sustainable development of the region by participating in projects and programmes within the local community. Recent federal policies have focused on the internationalisation of Brazilian universities. As such, UFS has developed partnerships with foreign universities to exchange academic and scientific knowledge, as well as provide their students with the opportunity to study abroad. The exchange programme plays an important role in enriching the student experience as it opens the door to different cultures. Sergipe lies on the northeast region’s Atlantic coast and is therefore known for its picturesque beaches just south of its capital Aracaju. It is also home to the colonial towns of Laranjeiras and São Cristóvão, both of which boast historic 17th century buildings and churches.