Portal UFLA :: Universidade Federal de Lavras

Established in 1908, under the theme of the Gammon Institute: "Dedicated
to the glory of God and Human Progress”. At first UFLA was founded as the state's land-grant Lavras Agricultural College. In 1994 the Agricultural State College was federalized and became a university. UFLA has an extraordinary pool of scientific and technological knowledge and the quality of education in the training of their students over 100 years has given UFLA recognition as one of Brazil’s best agricultural university.

The University of Lavras (UFLA) has a tradition of ethical conduct spanning its history as a land-grant research university. UFLA’s philosophy is based upon a shared commitment to excellence in teaching, research, public service and economic development. UFLA is a one of the nation’s major national research agricultural universities, located on a 600-acre campus with more than 250 major buildings (including 100 with classrooms and 170 thematic laboratories and one central library), most within walking distance of one another. UFLA is located in Lavras in the south of the state of Minas Gerais, Brazil, 220km from the capital, Belo Horizonte. UFLA is composed of 16 departments (Agronomy, Agricultural Engineering, Medicine Veterinary, Biology, Exact Sciences, Computer Science, Animal Science, Chemistry, Food Engineering, Science of Soils, Science of Forest, Entomology, Phytopathology, Physical Education and Business Management). The Agriculture Department has the highest undergraduate enrollment of all. A total of 13 courses are offered at the undergraduate level, with more than 3,000 students. UFLA also provides 19 Master and 15 Doctorate (PhD) programs with more than 1,000 students enrolled in 2008.

Currently (in 2008) a total of nearly 4,000 students are enrolled at UFLA campus and 8,000 more are on the 54-courses continuing education program. Our faculty, staff and students share their knowledge and expertise and the resources of the University with citizens from all over Brazil. More than 800 students enroll at UFLA each year. Some Usually 60 percent come from Minas Gerais and 40 percent from out of state. International students from varying countries make up 0.1 percent of the University's enrollment. Faculty has 356 professors and 850 staff members.

The Lavras City community has a total population of about 85,000. The University both provides and attracts a wide variety of cultural opportunities and a number of business endeavors resulting result from scientific and educational research originated at UFLA.

The University has nationally renowned research programs in the Agricultural field and has provided major agricultural innovations. Our Discovery Park, with more than 16 Departments, offers interdisciplinary opportunities ranging from the study of learning to biosciences and information technology. Our land grant mission goes beyond agriculture. It is a spirit of giving back to communities in which every department at our university transfers its learning and discoveries to improve the economy, quality of life, and culture for Brazilians. The University has many reasons to be proud of its past and present, and feels strong and prepared for the future, ready to offer Brazilian made solutions to the world scientific development.

The UFLA not only has a great history, but, more important, it is preparing in this millennium to advance the teaching, research and provision of public services in one of the nation’s most strategic fields - –that of Agricultural Sciences. This deals with the includes food production of food, timber, drugs, biotechnology and renewable energy (Bioenergy), with the constant challenge of developing natural resources in an environmentally friendly and sustainable manner.. In 2007 UFLA won national recognition for its agricultural research excellence.