The federal university, known in academic circles as a “supernova” and founded in 2018, recorded significant progress in the RUF 2025 overall ranking compared to the previous year’s survey. Two of the five institutions rose by more than 20 places. UFDPar (Federal University of Delta do Parnaíba) improved by 35 places in the general classification.
In addition to them, a sixth federal university, dubbed “Supernova”, will debut in the RUF this year. It is the Federal University of Northern Tocantins (UFNT) since 2019.
“Supernova” is part of a movement to expand and internalize higher education that began in 2008 and shares a very similar trajectory.
This somewhat winding path begins with the fact that all this is the result of the dismantling of existing federal universities, and passes through various obstacles such as financial constraints and the COVID-19 pandemic.
Only recently have these institutions acquired the necessary human and material resources to carry out their academic activities, enabling them to offer new courses, expand research, establish partnerships, and raise internal and external recognition.
“It was only at the end of 2023 that we were able to at least partly rely on the necessary technical staff and put the university in place,” said Roselma Lucchese, dean of the Federal University of Catalonia (UFCat) in Goiás.
This paved the way for the agency to take action and achieve results that help explain the overall ranking growth for 12 positions (out of 184 categories).th 172nd place in 2024 and 172nd place in 2025).
Roselma highlights research that contributes to the conservation of local biomes, for example monitoring jaguars in northern Goias and studying the endangered mountain fox. Part of this research was funded by mining companies that have a strong presence in the Goiás economy.
On another front, universities are strengthening their health courses. In addition to medicine, whose first class will graduate this year, a bachelor’s degree and degree in psychology and a professional master’s degree in health have been launched. And in the first quarter of next year, UFCat is scheduled to open its first university hospital outside the state capital.
Aylon de Melo, Rector of the Federal University of Agreste de Pernambuco (Ufape), also points out that 2024 is a milestone in the university’s integration, allowing it to move up from 183rd to 23rd place.of 160 placementof. “This was a turning point because I was able to actually take on the functions and duties of the university,” he says.
The Rector said Ufape is part of Garanhun’s tradition as a regional educational hub, initially for secondary education and now for higher education, offering courses intrinsically related to the economic mission of the region, such as agriculture, veterinary medicine and animal husbandry, alongside new developments such as management and accountancy.
“Our annual investment is around R$100 million, which goes towards the education costs and science production of around 2,600 students,” says Ailon.
“Most of the young people who graduate with us remain in the region and often become entrepreneurs, which is an important impact for the community.”
Along the same lines, the Federal University of Delta do Parnaiba (UFDPar) sees itself as a driver of socio-economic development by providing opportunities for young people, including those who ultimately failed to take the Enem (National High School Examination), both in the city of Piauí, where the university is located, and in neighboring municipalities.
To achieve this objective, public schools conducted their own selection process outside the unified selection system (Sisu) and in some cases without examinations, based on school performance.
As a result, the number of vacancies in undergraduate courses increased from 87% to 94%. Its main focus is on teacher training, social sciences, and careers in health.
“We are changing the university culture that has always been associated with the capital, bringing this culture to a new audience and changing society’s view of the role of higher education institutions,” explains João Paulo Macedo, Rector of UFDPar, which rose 35 places to reach 140th place in the RUF’s overall ranking.
In 2018, three of the five universities were established in the Midwest region. There were previously four federal universities, all founded in the 1960s and 1970s and based in the capital.
In addition to UFCAT, the Federal University of Jatai (UFJ), also in Goiás, and the Federal University of Rondonopolis (UFR) in Mato Grosso are also part of the “Supernova”.
“One of our priorities is to keep students and researchers in the region so that they do not have to look abroad for master’s and doctoral opportunities, and to expand scientific production at a level of quality that makes a difference,” says UFJ Rector Cristiano Coelho, who moved up seven places in the RUF ranking.
Last year, the university’s graduate courses increased from 10 to 15, with the addition of three master’s degrees and two doctoral degrees. As a result, all departments now offer at least one postgraduate degree.
This increase was accompanied by a 50% increase in the number of scholarships from the Educational Initiation Scholarship Program for Educational Institutions (Pibid), an investment of R$4.3 million in student support (including scholarships, housing, food and health), and the awarding of more than 500 MEC permanent scholarships to indigenous and quilombola students.
In addition to education, research and dissemination, the Federal University of Rondonopolis (UFR) also has innovation as a strategic pillar, which has resulted in the establishment, for example, of the Innovation and Entrepreneurship Secretariat.
“We open our doors, break down barriers, and seek feedback from businesses on how we can support them,” said Dean Annalee Polisel, highlighting the award as the most entrepreneurial university in Mato Grosso in 2024. UFR moved up 11 places to rank 186th in the 2025 RUF.th place.
This type of initiative is not limited to the private sector. The dean said the UFR is currently committed to federal and provincial investment in the construction of a university hospital, which is expected to have 250 beds and cover an area dedicated to burn care and an area dedicated to Indigenous communities. “University ends up being a catalyst for effort and action.”
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