Pontifical Catholic University of Rio Grande do Sul (PUCRS)

The Pontifical Catholic University of Rio Grande do Sul (PUCRS) is a private non-profit Catholic university located in Porto Alegre, capital city of the state of Rio Grande do Sul in Eastern Brazil. Established in 1948 by members of the Marist Brothers Catholic community, the university’s mission is to create a better society through education, based on human rights and Christian principles. In 1950, Pope Pius XII, by request of the Marist Brothers and Archbishop Dom Vicente Scherer, granted the title of "Pontifical" to the university. Today it offers about 50 undergraduate degrees, 30 master’s and 20 doctoral courses. Tecnopuc, the university’s science and technology park, works with about 100 companies including Microsoft, HP and Dell to encourage innovation and entrepreneurship in electronics, information and communication technologies, biotechnology, health sciences, energy, and the environment. Each year, several hundred PUCRS technology and business students get to study at this facility. A wide range of sports take place on campus. The gymnasium offers classes in ballroom dance, bodybuilding, pilates and many other activities. A swimming pool and courts for basketball, handball, football and volleyball are available. The Pontifical Catholic University of Rio Grande do Sul's main campus in Porto Alegre is a spacious complex with green trees and amenities. The Biblioteca Central Irmão José Otão, one of Brazil’s largest and most advanced libraries, can be found here. The campus is also home to the world’s fifth largest Science and Technology Museum. Porto Alegre’s historic centre lies a short distance from the campus. It is known as one of Brazil’s most liberal cities, and is known for its lively nightlife and music scene.