Universidade Federal de Santa Catarina

Luzia Maweza shares her experience with the project. Photo: UFSC

Difficulties with language, challenges adapting to the classroom and feelings of exclusion from her peers were some of the obstacles faced by Luzia Maweza, a migrant student from Angola, when she joined the Social Work program at UFSC and began her new life in Santa Catarina. Things began to change when she became involved with the UFSC sem Fronteiras [UFSC without Borders] project – an outreach initiative that promotes the integration and retention of international, migrant and refugee students at the university.

Like Luzia, many other students face similar struggles. According to a survey conducted by the Prorectorate for Undergraduate Studies and Basic Education (PROGRAD) on 13 May 2025, UFSC currently has around 73 undergraduate students enrolled through the Brazilian government’s mobility program Programa de Estudantes-Convênio de Graduação (PEC-G) along with 583 international undergraduate degree-seeking students. Many of these students arrive in Brazil without institutional support and experience difficulties adapting – challenges similar to those reported by Luzia.

Elisa Schemes, PEC-G representative at UFSC and a staff member at the Office of International Relations (SINTER), explained that the UFSC sem Fronteiras project originated from existing support initiatives for PEC-G students. The PEC-G is  a Brazilian government program that offers free places in undergraduate programs to students from developing countries that maintain educational and cultural agreements with Brazil. According to Schemes, the project aims to expand the support already provided by SINTER and the Institutional Program for Educational Support to Students (PIAPE) to include all international students at UFSC.

The project is coordinated by Janaina Santos, who also coordinates PIAPE. Santos holds a doctoral degree in the field of ​​migration and refuge and has collaborated with various groups and organizations that support migrants and refugees. She was part of the UFSC committee that implemented a specific undergraduate admission process for refugees, asylum seekers and humanitarian visa holders. This special admission process has been in place at UFSC since 2022 and offers 10 undergraduate seats per year.

According to Santos, UFSC sem Fronteiras brings together migrant, refugee, asylum-seeking, and international undergraduate and graduate students to carry out welcoming activities, support academic integration, monitor student trajectories, and promote cultural and artistic engagement.

How the project works

Discussion group with UFSC international, migrant and refugee students.

The project operates through two main branches: one focused on the internal university community and the other on external audiences.

For students already enrolled at UFSC, the project aims to build a support network and offer academic and pedagogical assistance. Activities include discussion groups with international, migrant and refugee students to hear their experiences, understand their backgrounds, and support their academic integration and retention.

These students also receive guidance on academic life, information about PIAPE’s educational support services and the university’s Psychological Care Service (Sapsi), as well as assistance on immigration procedures with the Federal Police. Additional support includes information on opening a bank account, accessing public healthcare, and navigating other UFSC services.

For the external audience, UFSC sem Fronteiras works to disseminate the specific admission processes for refugees and migrants. The project also seeks to raise awareness about human rights, the importance of inclusivity, and to combat misinformation around migration and refuge, making society more welcoming. It also aims to build connections with the students’ countries of origin, providing guidance on how to study at UFSC.

Janaína Santos presents the UFSC sem Fronteiras project during a tour through academic schools. Photo: UFSC

The implementation of the specific admission process for refugees and migrants in 2022, UFSC has opened 30 seats (10 per year), but only around 20 students are currently enrolled.  Santos explains that many dropped out due to a lack of academic and institutional support. “The project is precisely intended to combat this dropout, ensuring that students feel supported once they enroll”, she says.

According to Santos, international, migrant and refugee students face specific challenges that make support essential. These may include separation from family and country of origin, previous experiences of violence, language barriers, cultural differences, and academic difficulties stemming from different educational backgrounds. Many also struggle with organizing their studies, experience isolation, and have trouble understanding academic codes and integrating into university life.

Luzia Maweza now works as an intern with the UFSC sem Fronteiras project. She arrived in Brazil in 2022, first settling in the state of Bahia before moving to Santa Catarina. Luzia describes her own challenges in becoming a UFSC student and adapting to the new environment. She observed that African students tended to group together, while she often felt the need to “prove she was good enough” to be included in other groups. She also criticized some instructors for overlooking the language and integration difficulties faced by international students, often leaving them to manage group work on their own. In addition, she pointed out cultural differences in food and explained that the prejudice she experienced in Santa Catarina, though more subtle than in Bahia, ‘hurts more’ because it isn’t spoken aloud—but is still clearly felt.

Participating in UFSC initiatives such as the Antiracist Praxis Project and the UFSC sem Fronteiras, was a transformative experience for Luzia. Initially hesitant to express her knowledge, she gained confidence and visibility through these projects, which helped her better understand Brazilian society and race relations, and develop a more critical perspective. This shift helped challenge the prejudices held by some classmates—such as the belief that she lacked the ability to contribute academically—and changed the way she was perceived.

One of the key points emphasized by both Santos and Luzia is the need for wider dissemination of the project. Many migrant and refugee students are unaware of where to seek support within the university. Luzia, who felt lost when she first arrived on campus, underscores the importance of informing other students about the project, which exists to ensure they don’t feel alone—and to help them realize that their challenges are shared, and that there is a welcoming space for them at UFSC.

Learn more about the project in their official website.

Translated by SINTER/UFSC.

Read the original article here. 

The Universidade Federal de Santa Catarina is ranked as the 8^th best university in Brazil in the QS World University Rankings 2026, released on 19 June. The University rose two positions compared to last year’s edition.

The ranking evaluated 1,501 institutions across 106 countries and territories, including 32 Brazilian universities. In the overall ranking, UFSC is placed in the 801-850 range. The exact position of universities within the range is not specified.

Published annually by Quacquarelli Symonds (QS), the ranking uses the following indicators:

• Academic reputation (30% of the final score) – based on a global survey of academics;
• Citations per Faculty (20%) – measures the impact of scientific research;
• Employer Reputation (15%) – measures the job market’s perception of the institution’s graduates;
• Faculty Student Ratio (10%) – evaluates teaching capacity;
• International Research Network (5%) – measures international collaboration in research;
• Sustainability (5%) – evaluates institutional efforts related to social and environmental sustainability;
• Employment Outcomes (5%) – considers the impact and success of graduates;
• International Faculty Ratio (5%) and International Student Ratio (5%) – reflect the ability to attract global talent and foster an international academic environment.

UFSC has also performed well in other international rankings, such as the THE World University Rankings and the THE Impact Rankings.

Access the full ranking results at the QS official website.

Translated by SINTER/UFSC.

Read the original article here.

The Times Higher Education (THE), a British magazine specializing in higher education, released the results of the Impact Rankings 2025 on 18 June. The ranking evaluated 2,526 universities from 130 countries or territories based on their progress towards the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

According to the ranking, the Universidade Federal de Santa Catarina (UFSC) outperformed more than half of the institutions evaluated worldwide in eight SDGs. THE lists the top 100 universities with the highest scores for each goal, and then groups the remaining institutions into bands according to their scores.

UFSC ranked in the third range (positions 201–300) in the following goals:

• SDG 3 – Good health and well-being (among 1,788 universities evaluated).
• SDG 7 – Affordable and clean energy (among 1,181 universities evaluated).

In six other SDGs, UFSC was placed in the fourth range (positions 301-400):

• SDG 2 – Zero Hunger (among 955 universities evaluated)
• SDG 6 – Clean Water and Sanitation (among 1,042 universities evaluated)
• SDG 9 – Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure (among 1,156 universities evaluated)
• SDG 12 – Responsible Consumption and Production (among 973 universities evaluated)
• SDG 14 – Life Below Water (among 711 universities evaluated)
• SDG 16 – Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions (among 1,256 universities evaluated)

Research on health and well-being was considered as part of the ranking methodology. Photo: Mateus Mendonça/Agecom/UFSC

In the overall ranking, UFSC is placed in the 601-800 range, with a score of 66.4. The Impact Rankings methodology considers factors such as: research in the areas indicated by the UN; staff and resource management; local, regional and global reach; teacher training and graduate career outcomes.

THE is a British magazine that publishes news and articles on higher education. It annually produces a set of rankings considered among the most comprehensive, balanced and reliable in the world.

According to the official website of the United Nations (UN) in Brazil, the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) are a universal call to action to end poverty, protect the planet, and ensure that all people enjoy peace and prosperity by 2030. The 17 goals are ambitious and interconnected, addressing the most pressing development challenges in Brazil and around the world.

Translated by SINTER/UFSC.

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Professor Michelle Fossati receives SDG Education Seal at the Museum of Tomorrow in Rio de Janeiro. Photo: Environmental Management Coordination Office/UFSC

The Universidade Federal de Santa Catarina (UFSC) has been awarded the SDG Education Seal, in recognition of its commitment to advancing the United Nations (UN) 2030 Agenda in Brazil. The award ceremony took place on 20 March at the Museum of Tomorrow in Rio de Janeiro, bringing together representatives from 74 Brazilian educational institutions honored for their contributions to social impact in ​​education. Organized by Instituto Selo Social, 2030 Agenda Working Group, UNB 2030 and UFRJ, the event highlighted initiatives aligned with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and fostered discussions on education, sustainability, and SDG 18: Ethnic-Racial Equality.

Representing UFSC at the ceremony was Professor Michele Fossati, from the Department of Architecture, who registered one of the recognized projects. UFSC received the seal for five initiatives promoting environmental management, education for sustainability, art, and conscious consumption – aligned with SDG 4 (Quality Education), SDG 12 (Responsible Consumption and Production), and SDG 17 (Partnerships for the Goal). The awarded initiatives were:

• Sustentabilidade é coisa de criança:  abordagem da sustentabilidade com escolas públicas do ensino fundamental [Sustainability is a child’s thing: approach to sustainability in public primary and lower secondary schools] – Coordinated by Professor Michele Fossati;
• Disseminação de conhecimentos sobre sustentabilidade [Dissemination of knowledge on sustainability] – Coordinated by Professor Michele Fossati;
• Semana de Arte com Educação Ambiental [Art Week with Environmental Education] – Coordinated by UFSC Sala Verde [Green Room];
• Semana de Acolhimento da Comunidade [Community Welcoming Week] – Coordinated by UFSC Sala Verde [Green Room];
• Trabalhando a cultura popular com educação ambiental através do folclore catarinense: “O Boi de Mamão” [Popular culture and environmental education through Santa Catarina folklore: “O Boi de Mamão”] – Coordinated by UFSC Sala Verde [Green Room].

For more information about the award, visit seloods.org.

Read the original article here.

Translated by SINTER/UFSC. 

International Community Welcome Day. Photo by: Gustavo Diehl/Agecom/UFSC

On Monday, 10 March, the Universidade Federal de Santa Catarina (UFSC) hosted a Welcome Day for international students joining the institution in the first semester of 2025. Organized to welcome both degree-seeking and exchange students, the event featured a diverse program focused on integration and cultural exchange.

The International Community Welcome Day targeted undergraduate students arriving through programs managed by the Office of International Relations (SINTER): the Incoming and AUGM Escala Grado exchange programs, as well as the Programa Estudantes-Convênio de Graduação (PEC-G) for international degree-seeking students. Additionally, study buddies who assist with their adaptation to university life also took part in the activities.

Welcome Day program

The Rector of UFSC and the Secretary for International Relations at the welcome ceremony for international students. Photo by: Gustavo Diehl/Agecom/UFSC

The Welcome Day began with specific orientation sessions at 9 am, at the School of Philosophy and Human Sciences (CFH). In the afternoon, at 1:30 pm, students gathered for a welcome ceremony, which featured an address by Rector Irineu Manoel de Souza.

During the ceremony, the Secretary for International Relations at UFSC, Luiz Carlos Pinheiro Machado Filho, provided an overview of the university’s structure and the services available to the international community.

Every year, UFSC expands its international student community. Today, there are nearly 4,000 students coming to the University through different admission pathways, including the Entrance Exam. This “makes us very happy, because our university is recognized both nationally and internationally. In some rankings, it is the fourth-best university in Brazil. In Santa Catarina state, it is the top-ranked university, and in Latin America, it receives strong evaluations. This reflects our commitment to internationalization and to welcoming students from all around the world”, said the Rector.

The Rector of UFSC presents an undergraduate diploma in Medicine to Richardson Yonel Civil, a PEC-G graduate from Haiti. Photo by: Gustavo Diehl/Agecom/UFSC

A highlight of the ceremony was the presentation, by the Rector, of an undergraduate diploma in Medicine to Richardson Yonel Civil, a PEC-G graduate from Haiti. On the occasion, the Secretary for International Relations addressed the audience, emphasizing that this long-standing program, run by the Brazilian government, enables international students from participating countries in the Americas, Africa, and Asia to earn their degrees at UFSC free of charge. “It is a form of cooperation and solidarity that Brazil maintains with countries facing similar socioeconomic challenges to ours,” explained the Secretary.

Following the ceremony, participants enjoyed a welcome coffee and two cultural performances: Angolan dances Kizomba and Semba, performed by members of ASSAF; and a percussion show by the student band Devassa, organized by members of the Medicine Student Athletic Association.

After the cultural performances, students who registered for integration activities took part in various experiences, including: a visit to the São José da Ponta Grossa Fortress; dance workshops with the Samba Manezinho Group and ASSAF; and a guided campus tour led by the SINTEGRA project, a partnership between SINTER and the Department of Psychology at UFSC.

Diversity among international students

This semester, UFSC is welcoming 88 undergraduate students from 15 countries through academic mobility programs. Among them, 69 students are part of the Incoming Program, coming from partner universities, primarily in France (24 students), Portugal (9) and Italy (7). Other students are part of the AUGM Escala Grado Program, coming from member universities of the Association of Montevideo Group Universities (AUGM), specifically in Argentina (6) and Uruguay (2).

Additionally, 15 international degree-seeking students were admitted through the PEC-G program. On the Florianópolis campus, eight students joined programs such as Chemical Engineering, Medicine, Administration and International Relations. Their countries of origin include Angola, Cape Verde, Guinea-Bissau and Paraguay.

On the Joinville campus, four PEC-G students began their studies in Aerospace Engineering, Railway and Metro Engineering, and Naval Engineering, coming from Mozambique, Honduras, Angola and Equatorial Guinea. On the Araranguá campus, three PEC-G students enrolled in Computer Engineering, Energy Engineering, and Medicine, representing Angola, Mozambique and Equatorial Guinea.

Institutional Welcome and Support

The International Community Welcome Day was organized by SINTER, with support from the Institutional Program for Educational Support to Students (PIAPE) of the Prorectorate for Undergraduate Studies and Basic Education (PROGRAD); the Department of Culture, Art and Sports (SecArte); the SINTEGRA outreach project, which seeks to promote the integration of international students into campus life; ASSAF; and the Samba Manezinho dance group.

In addition to students in mobility programs, UFSC also welcomes international degree-seeking students admitted through external transfer or the university entrance exam, reinforcing its commitment to internationalization and academic diversity.

With the arrival of students from different countries and cultures, UFSC strengthens its mission to promote the internationalization of higher education. This diversity enriches academic and cultural experiences, fosters mutual learning and strengthens ties between nations.

For more information about mobility programs and support for international students, visit the SINTER website.

See more photos of the event on the UFSC Rectorate website.

Written by Rosiani Bion de Almeida, SECOM/UFSC, with information from SINTER.

Translated by SINTER/UFSC

Read the original article here. 

The Universidade Federal de Santa Catarina (UFSC) has been ranked among the top five best federal university in Brazil, according to the latest edition of the Webometrics Ranking of World Universities. Conducted by the Spanish National Research Council (CSIC) – Spain’s largest public research institution – the ranking evaluates approximately 32,000 higher education institutions worldwide, focusing on open access to the knowledge they produce.

UFSC secured 4^{th place} among Brazilian federal universities and 438^th in the overall ranking.

Below is the list of the top 10 federal universities in Brazil according to the ranking. The full list of Brazilian federal universities is available on the Ministry of Education’s website, and the Webometrics Ranking data can be accessed here.

About the Ranking

The Webometrics Ranking of World Universities, also known as the Ranking Web of Universities, evaluates institutions from more than 200 countries based on bibliometric data from 2019 to 2023. Established in 2004, it is not a ranking of university websites but rather an institutional ranking, based on both webometric and bibliometric indicators. Its primary objective is to promote Open Access to academic knowledge. It assesses universities through three key indicators: visibility (web contents impact); excellence (top cited papers); and transparency or openness (top cited researchers).

With information from the MEC Social Communication Office and the Higher Education Secretariat (Sesu)

Translated by SINTER/UFSC.

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Global Alliance Against Hunger and Poverty Cultural Festival. (Photo by Ricardo Stuckert/PR)

The Universidade Federal de Santa Catarina (UFSC) has become the first public educational institution to join the task force for the Global Alliance against Hunger and Poverty, a key topic at the last G20 summit held in Brazil in November 2024. By signing the declaration of commitment, Rector Irineu Manoel de Souza formalized UFSC’s commitment to implementing domestic policies, fostering and supporting public policy development, and advancing knowledge, an area where the university excels.

Professor Cristiane Derani, from UFSC’s Department of Law, was invited by the Ministry of Social Development to contribute as an expert in a working group focused on food security and fighting global hunger. Renowned for her research in environmental, international and economic law, she played a key role in UFSC being invited to join the iniative, which recognizes the university’s expertise in agriculture, sustainability and biotechnology.

UFSC’s next steps within the alliance involve meetings with a group that includes Universidade Federal de Goiás (UFG) and Universidade do Rio Grande do Sul (UFRGS). As activities progress, participating researchers will engage with specialists from diverse fields. “The goal is to bring together experts from multiple disciplines to support the Global Alliance Against Hunger,” explains Professor Derani.

A leading voice in food security studies, Derani examines sustainable food production within a framework of ecological restoration and environmental conservation, emphasizing biodiversity protection and climate action. “The alliance signed by G20 countries is built on three pillars: financial, technical, and political. UFSC contributes to the technical pillar,” she states.

In her article Sustainable Global Food System, published by Springer Nature, Derani explores the United Nations’ goal of ending hunger by 2030. She argues that decisions on food production—what, where, how, and for whom—must align with ecological principles to ensure ecological justice, which she describes as the foundation of social, economic, and food justice.

The Task Force for the Global Alliance against Hunger and Poverty seeks to mobilize resources and knowledge for implementing public policies and social technologies aimed at reducing hunger and poverty worldwide. Membership in the alliance is open not only to G20 countries but to all nations willing to contribute to the cause.

Translated by SINTER/UFSC.

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The Universidade Federal de Santa Catarina (UFSC) has been ranked 5th among the most sustainable universities in Brazil in the QS World University Rankings: Sustainability 2025. The ranking, released on 10 December, evaluates higher education institutions worldwide based on three key categories: environmental impact, social impact, and governance.

UFSC excelled particularly in the Environmental Education and Environmental Research lenses, highlighting its dedication to sustainability and the preparation of professionals committed to environmental preservation. Additionally, the University performed notably in the Equality and Health and Wellbeing lenses, underscoring its commitment to fostering social values ​​through academic and institutional practices.

The 2025 rankings evaluated 1,744 universities, marking a 25% increase from the previous year’s 1,397 universities. Among Brazilian universities, participation grew by 23.5%, rising from 34 institutions in the previous year to 42 in 2025. The four best universities in Brazil are Universidade de São Paulo (USP), Universidade Estadual de Campinas (Unicamp), Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro (UFRJ), and Universidade de Brasília (UnB).

While the methodology underwent minor adjustments in specific indicators, the performance lenses, indicators, and weightings remained consistent with the previous year.

The QS Sustainability Rankings are globally recognized for highlighting institutions that integrate sustainable practices into their activities and curricula. UFSC’s achievement reinforces its international relevance in higher education and its leadership in promoting a sustainable future.

To view the full ranking, visit the official QS page.

Get to know the UFSC Sustentável [Sustainable UFSC] program run by the Environmental Management office at UFSC.

Translated by SINTER/UFSC

Read the original article here: https://noticias.ufsc.br/2024/12/ufsc-esta-entre-as-5-universidades-mais-sustentaveis-do-brasil-no-qs-world-university-rankings-sustainability-2025/ 

Photo by Caetano Machado/Agecom/UFSC.

The Universidade Federal de Santa Catarina (UFSC) achieved the 4th position among the best universities in Brazil in the Times Higher Education (THE) Interdisciplinary Science Rankings 2025. The ranking, which is in its first edition, measures the contribution and commitment of global universities to interdisciplinary science.

The Interdisciplinary Science Rankings 2025 evaluated 749 universities from 92 countries and is currently led by the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. In the overall ranking, UFSC is in the 136^th position. As for Brazil, the leading institution is the Universidade de São Paulo (USP).

The ranking is based on 11 indicators evaluating institutions in three main areas, each representing a stage in the life cycle of research projects: Inputs (funding); Process (measures of success, facilities, administrative support and promotion); and Outputs (publications, research quality and reputation). UFSC stood out in Inputs, with a grade of 57.5 (out of 100), behind only the Universidade Estadual Paulista (Unesp), ranked 2^nd among Brazilian institutions, in this area.

According to the Office of International Relations (SINTER) at UFSC, the interdisciplinary approach evaluated by the ranking is a growing trend, seen as a solution to complex problems that require the integration of different academic perspectives. Learn more about the methodology here.

Visit the THE website to find out more about the ranking and the position of the participating universities.

Translated by SINTER/UFSC.

Read the original article here: https://noticias.ufsc.br/2024/11/ufsc-e-a-quarta-melhor-universidade-do-brasil-em-ranking-de-ciencia-interdisciplinar/

The Universidade Federal de Santa Catarina (UFSC) received from the Ministry of Education (MEC) the maximum grade in its institutional reaccreditation process, recently completed. The final grade for UFSC was in the range of 5, and the final continuous grade was 4.96. With this result, the University is among the institutions with level of excellence in the evaluation of the Anísio Teixeira National Institute for Educational Studies and Research (Inep). The last UFSC reaccreditation process was carried out in 2013.

The reaccreditation evaluation process began in September 2024, with the constitution of a committee of three evaluators appointed by Inep. From then on, UFSC began to file a series of documents in the e-MEC system, including the Institutional Development Plan (PDI), Risk Management Plan, evaluation reports, ordinances, resolutions, regulations, reports and institutional policies.

Between 11 and 13 November, members of the committee carried out an on-site visit to the University – in fact, a virtual visit. On the first day of the visit, the committee was welcomed by the rector Irineu Manoel de Souza, the vice-rector Joana Célia dos Passos, pro-rectors, secretaries, the Institutional Attorney of UFSC and president of the Institutional Evaluation Commission (CPA), in addition to other university leaders. Subsequently, the committee virtually visited part of the premises of UFSC campus in Florianópolis. The visit lasted four hours and presented the University Library, the Culture and Events Center and their living areas, areas for sports such as gymnasium and swimming pool, Museum of Archaeology and Ethnology (Marque), University Restaurant, practical class environments, classrooms, laboratories and living places of the School of Health Sciences (CCS), School of Biological Sciences (CCB), School of Technology (CTC), School of Sports (CDS); School of Education (CED) and School of Philosophy and Human Sciences (CFH). Other Education Centers that didn’t receive the virtual tour sent in videos, including the Student Housing and the Planetarium.

The committee also had access to institutional videos and held meetings with faculty, students, technical-administrative staff (TAEs) and the Institutional Evaluation Commission itself. In these meetings with members of the categories, there was representation of the entire UFSC community.

The institutional evaluation for reaccreditation took into account aspects such as accessibility, position and career plans for faculty and TAEs, Faculty Qualification Index (IQCD), degree, number of foreign faculty and students and socio-environmental sustainability, among others.

In the report prepared by the committee, UFSC scored 5 in all items of Axis 1 – Institutional Planning and Evaluation; in all items of Axis 2 – Institutional Development; Axis 3 – Academic Policies; and Axis 4 – Management Policies. In Axis 5 – Infrastructure, the grade was 4.88, with grade 4 in only two out of 17 items evaluated (Sanitary facilities and Technological infrastructure). In the qualitative analysis of Axis 5, however, the committee stated that “the University’s infrastructure is robust and up to date, fully meeting institutional needs”.

Rector Irineu Manoel de Souza stated that the maximum grade obtained by UFSC in the institutional reaccreditation process is a collective achievement of the university community. He highlighted the maximum grades obtained in the dimensions of planning, evaluation and institutional development, in addition to academic and management policies. “We would like thank everyone who was involved in this process, especially the School Deans and everyone who contributed showing our facilities to the MEC evaluation committee”.

Translated by SINTER/UFSC.

Read the original article here.