Located in Blumenau in the state of Santa Catarina, southern Brazil, the Universidade Regional de Blumenau (FURB) is a public university with a strong commitment to academic excellence, innovation and regional development.
Founded in 1964 as a higher education institution through a community-driven initiative in order to enable the children of local workers to have access to such education, FURB offers a wide range of academic choices characterized by multiple undergraduate programmes, alongside 11 master’s degree programmes, 6 doctoral programmes and various specialisation courses. Its academic portfolio spans diverse fields, including engineering, computer science, environmental sciences, health sciences, business, law, education and the arts. This multidisciplinary approach fosters research, innovation and connections between the University and the social, cultural and economic development of the Itajaí Valley.
Beyond its teaching activities, FURB stands out for its contribution to biodiversity research. Its Dr. Roberto Miguel Klein Herbarium houses more than 70,000 preserved plant specimens, making it the largest herbarium in the Brazilian state of Santa Catarina. The collection, which is digitally accessible through online databases, supports scientific research and the study of the region’s rich plant diversity. This commitment to scientific knowledge and environmental conservation reflects FURB’s broader role in addressing regional and global challenges.
With an international outlook, the Universidade Regional de Blumenau has progressively expanded its connections with universities and research institutions worldwide across Europe, the Americas, Asia and Africa. These relationships create opportunities for academic exchange, joint research projects and the sharing of knowledge across different cultural and educational contexts.
Through its participation in the GEMINAE network, part of the UNITA Alliance, FURB is able to develop new forms of cooperation with European universities and education institutions building lasting partnerships and fostering a more interconnected academic community.
By combining strong regional roots with an international outlook, the Universidade Regional de Blumenau represents a valuable partner for the UNITA community, contributing to a more connected, inclusive and collaborative European and global landscape.
