The Federal Rural University of Pernambuco (UFRPE) has been investing and standing out in recent years in the strategic axis of Internationalization, recognizing its relevance to the quality of Graduate Programs. To this end, the university has established an Internationalization Center (NINTER) within its organizational structure, responsible for implementing the Institutional Internationalization Policy across Undergraduate and Graduate Programs. NINTER plays a key role in managing international cooperation, assisting in securing external funding, organizing internationalization-related events and training, supporting international academic mobility, welcoming foreign students and researchers, translating official documents, and facilitating linguistic activities.
To further strengthen and implement internationalization initiatives directly within the Graduate Programs, UFRPE’s Graduate Studies Office created a specialized coordination unit known as the Internationalization Coordination for Graduate Programs (CIPPG). This unit collaborates with NINTER in managing internationalization efforts with a specific focus on Graduate Education. The CIPPG oversees Internationalization Programs supported by Brazilian research funding agencies (CNPq and CAPES), the Foundation for the Support of Science and Technology of the State of Pernambuco (FACEPE), and other organizations that promote internationalization initiatives of interest to UFRPE. As a result, every year, PPEAMB’s doctoral students have the opportunity to pursue doctoral research abroad, participating in an internal selection process at UFRPE for institutional scholarships available through CAPES’ Sandwich PhD Program (PDSE).
UFRPE was one of 36 institutions approved in the CAPES/Print Institutional Internationalization Program. The project, implemented between 2019 and 2024, enabled 25% of PPEAMB’s faculty members to undertake postdoctoral research abroad, deepening their expertise within the program’s research lines, enhancing their international experience, and building collaborative networks for future bilateral research funding opportunities.
Beyond sending students and faculty abroad, PPEAMB has also invested in Home Internationalization by attracting students from foreign universities to pursue full-time master's and doctoral degrees in Brazil. To achieve this, PPEAMB offers scholarships through the Brazilian Universities International Cooperation Group (GCUB), enabling the admission of international students every semester.
UFRPE’s Graduate Programs also benefit from the Language Center, affiliated with NINTER, which offers free language courses (English, French, Spanish, and Portuguese for foreigners) every semester to graduate students and faculty, covering basic, intermediate, and advanced levels.
PPEAMB has been continuously improving its structure to provide a welcoming and inclusive environment for international students. The Program Coordination is responsible for establishing direct contact with new international students, providing all necessary documentation for visa processing, and offering support upon their arrival, including airport reception. Additionally, if needed, the Coordination assists students in enrolling in Portuguese language courses offered by UFRPE’s Language Center.
Beyond these initiatives, PPEAMB’s Coordination Team is also available to assist international students with any needs, ensuring a supportive environment until they feel fully integrated into UFRPE and Brazil.
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