The federal universities created in 2018, known in academic circles as “supernovas”, registered significant progress in the RUF 2025 overall rankings, compared to the previous year’s survey. Out of 5 institutions, 2 rose more than 20 positions. UFDPar (Universidade Federal delta do Barníba) moved up 35 places in the overall rankings.
In addition, the sixth Federal University called “Supernova” made its debut this year in the RUF – Federal University of Northern Tocantins (UFNT), as of 2019.
Supernovas are part of the higher education expansion and absorption movement, which began in 2008, and share a very similar trajectory.
The somewhat winding path begins with the fact that they are all the result of the dismemberment of existing federal universities, and are going through various financial constraints and obstacles, such as the Covid-19 pandemic.
Only recently have these institutions obtained the necessary human and material resources to implement their academic activities, enabling them to offer new courses, expand the scope of research, establish partnerships, and improve internal and external perception.
“Only from the end of 2023 have we been able to structure the university administratively and been able to rely, at least in part, on the technical staff we need,” says Roselma Lucches, rector of the Federal University of Catalao (UFCat) in Goiás.
Thus, the Foundation paved the way for work and achievements that help explain the growth in the general classification, by 12 places (out of 184).y position in 2024 to 172nd in 2025).
Rozelma highlights, for example, research that contributes to the conservation of the region’s biomes, such as the monitoring of the brown jaguar in the northern part of the state of Goiás, and studies on the field fox, which is threatened with extinction. Some of this research is funded by mining companies, which have a strong presence in the Goiás economy.
On another level, the university is working to strengthen health courses. In addition to medicine, which will graduate its first class this year, a bachelor’s degree program in psychology and a professional master’s degree in health have been launched. In the first quarter of next year, UFCat will have its first university hospital outside the state capital.
Irón de Mello, rector of the Universidade Federal Agreste de Pernambuco (Ufape), also points to 2024 as a milestone in the consolidation of the institution, allowing it to jump 23 places, from 183.the Place for 160the. He says: “It was a turning point, as we were actually able to carry out the university’s tasks and obligations.”
The university’s rector says Ovapi is part of Jaranhun’s tradition as an educational center in the region, first at the secondary level and now in higher education, with courses intrinsically linked to the economic mission of the region, such as agronomy, veterinary science and animal husbandry, along with new developments such as management sciences and accounting.
“Our annual investment is about R$100 million, to cover the teaching costs of about 2,600 students and also to produce science,” says Iron.
“Most of the young people who graduate with us stay in the area and often become entrepreneurs. This is an important impact for the community.”
In the same vein, the Federal University of Delta do Parnaiba (UFDPar) sees its role as an engine of social and economic development, by providing opportunities for young people, including those who, in Piauí, where the institution is located, and in neighboring municipalities, end up not passing the Enem (National High School Examination).
To this end, it carried out its own selection processes, outside the Common Selection System (SESU), targeting public schools, in some cases, without examination, based on school records.
As a result, the number of vacancies for university courses increased from 87% to 94%, mainly focusing on teacher training, social sciences and careers in the health sector.
“We are working to change the university culture, always associated with the capitals, and transmit this culture to new audiences, changing society’s perception of the role of higher education institutions,” explains João Paulo Macedo, rector of UFDPar, which moved up 35 places in the overall rankings of the United Front, reaching 140th place.
Of the five universities in 2018, three were established in the Central-West region, which until then included four federal universities, all from the 1960s and 1970s and based in the capital cities.
In addition to UFCAT, the Federal University of Jatay (UFJ), also in Goiás, and the Federal University of Rondonópolis (UFR), in Mato Grosso, are part of the “Supernovas”.
“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 our scientific production, with a level of quality that makes a difference,” says Cristiano Coelho, Dean of UFJ, which has risen seven places in the RUF rankings.
Last year, the university moved from 10 to 15 postgraduate courses, in addition to 3 master’s degrees and 2 doctorate degrees. As a result, all departments now have at least one graduate degree.
This increase was accompanied by a 50% increase in the number of scholarships offered by the Institutional Initiation Scholarship Program (Pibid), investments of R$ 4.3 million in student assistance (including scholarships, housing, food and health) and the award of more than 500 permanent scholarships from the Middle East College to indigenous and quilombola students.
In addition to teaching, research and extension, the Federal University of Rondonópolis (UFR) also relies on innovation as a strategic pillar, resulting, for example, in the creation of a Secretariat for Innovation and Entrepreneurship.
“We work with open doors, breaking down walls and seeking to hear from companies how we can help them,” says Dean Annalie Polisil, highlighting the award as the most entrepreneurial university in the state of Mato Grosso in 2024. At RUF 2025, UFR moved up 11 places and ranked 186th.y place.
This type of work is not limited to the private sector. The dean says UFR is currently articulating federal and state investments to build the university hospital, with expectations for 250 beds, covering an area dedicated to burn care and another dedicated to Indigenous communities. “The university ends up being a catalyst for efforts and actions.”
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