ABOUT THE EVENT

Foto de Praça do Marco Zero em Recife
Marco Zero Square in Recife (Photo: pxhere)

The General Assembly and the International Seminar of the Brazilian International Cooperation Group of Universities (GCUB) are events that bring togheter representatives of higher education institutions, diplomats, government authorities, and representatives of international organizations from approximately 40 countries across all five continents.

In addition to promoting new agreements between GCUB members and partners, the events aim to further expand the internationalization network of Brazilian higher education institutions and to strengthen Brazil’s position as a leading force in scientific production.

This year, the General Assembly and the International Seminar will be held in partnership with the Federal University of Pernambuco, and will have as their central theme: “Democracy, Geopolitics, and International University Cooperation: Building Bridges for Peace and Global Sustainability”.

ABOUT Recife

Marco Zero, Recife (Photo: pxhere)

Capital of the state of Pernambuco, Recife is a major metropolis located in northeastern Brazil, widely sought-after by tourists for its stunning landscapes — ranging from islands to its famous mangroves. With an estimated population of 1.6 million, it is the third-largest city in the Brazil’s Northeast and the ninth-largest in Brazil as a whole, serving as one of the region’s main economic and cultural hubs. Strategically located on the coast, Recife blends modern architecture with a rich historical heritage, attracting visitors from all across the country and abroad.

A place where the contemporary and the historical are intertwined, Recife — besides being the 3rd largest gastronomic hub in Brazil — is an excellent destination for those who want to enjoy a bit of everything. Its main tourist attractions include Recife Antigo, a historic district with well-preserved Portuguese and Dutch  architecture; Porto Digital — one of the country’s largest technology hubs — and stunning urban beaches such as Boa Viagem, known worldwide for its beauty and infrastructure. Recife offers one of the most extensive entertainment and cultural infrastructures in the Brazil’s Northeast, with museums, theaters, cultural centers, and an exceptionally diverse nightlife.

In its cultural aspects, Recife is also a city world-renowned for its Carnival, which welcomes millions of tourists every year. The event is marked by traditional street parades, frevo, maracatu, and other cultural expressions unique to Pernambuco. In addition, the city hosts a rich calendar of festivities, such as the Recife Film Festival (Cine Pernambuco), along with mqany others celebrations that reflects the cultural diversity of the Brazil’s Northeastern region.

Imagem de uma moça pulando segurando uma sombrinha colorida, tradicional do Frevo pernambucano
Frevo, a cultural expression from Pernambuco (Photo: Getty Images/Republished)

From a tourism standpoint, Recife offers a unique experience, combining historical heritage, technological modernity, rich culture, and natural lanscapes. Its indicators are impressive: the city receives over 2.5 million tourists annually, generating approximately R$ 1.5 billion in economic activity. Its hotel infrastructure includes more than 200 hotels and boasts one of the most extensive accessibility networks in the Brazil’s Northeast, making it an attractive destination for a wide range of travelers

ABOUT CAIS DO SERTÃO

Inaugurated in April 2014, Module 1 of the Cais do Sertão offers a permanent and interactive exhibition on the culture of the Brazilian sertão, with a special emphasis on celebrating the life and work of singer and composer Luiz Gonzaga, the ‘King of Baião’. The museum was conceived as part of the Porto Novo integration project, aimed at revitalizing Recife’s historic downtown through the redevelopment of spaces that formerly housed port-related activities.

The Cais do Sertão is a creative economy initiative that incorporates innovative technology, automation, and interactivity. Located in the former Warehouse 10 of the Port of Recife, near the Handicraft Center and the Marco Zero Square, it occupies a total area of 7,500 m². The project was funded with resources from the Ministry of Culture and the Government of the State of Pernambuco. The museum is part of the Porto Novo Recife project, which aims to transform the old port warehouses into a major hub for tourism, services, entertainment, and leisure.

With the goal of establishing a new model of cultural and educational museum, the Cais do Sertão seeks to become a center of reference by promoting partnerships and expanding a cultural and educational axis that connects the coastal and inland regions of the Brazilian Northeast. The museum’s activities are designed to offer visitors a unique experience with a strong intellectual and emotional impact, fostering a sense of belonging to Brazilian Northeastern culture.

ABOUT UFPE

Visão panorâmica da entrada da Universidade Federal de Pernambuco, Campus Recife (Foto: Acervo)

The Federal University of Pernambuco (UFPE) is one of Brazil’s leading universities, recognized for its excellence in teaching, research, and international presence. According to the 2025 edition of The World University Rankings, it holds the 13th position nationally. The university also performs strongly in national assessments, such as the National Student Performance Exam (Enade) and the evaluations conducted by CAPES (Brazilian Coordination for the Improvement of Higher Education Personnel).

Universidade Federal de Pernambuco, Campus Recife (Foto: Acervo)

UFPE has been expanding its presence through three campuses: Recife, Caruaru, and Vitória de Santo Antão. Between 2005 and 2016, the university created over 2,500 new vacancies in undergraduate programs and launched more than 30 new courses, derived from initiatives taken by the Brazilian Ministry of Education such as the Reuni and the Interiorização do Ensino Superior. The university currently holds more than 40,000 persons, among  students, faculty, and staff.

The main campus, located in Recife, has over than 40 buildings, including the Rectory and several Academic Centers. There are also off-campus units, such as the Recife Law School and the University Television and Radio Center. A new campus is soon to be inaugurated in Sertânia, in the sertão of Pernambuco region.

Universidade Federal de Pernambuco, Campus Recife (Foto: Acervo)

UFPE traces its origins back to the establishment of law courses in 1827, which gave rise to the Recife Law School. In 1946, the University of Recife was founded, later becoming the Federal University of Pernambuco in 1967. The establishment of the Recife campus began in 1948, in the Engenho do Meio neighborhood, which was chosen as the university’s site. The first building constructed was the vivarium, designed by architect Mário Russo.

In 2006, UFPE began a vigorous expansion into the countryside by simultaneously constructing two new campuses: one in the municipality of Caruaru, located 130 kilometers from Recife, and the other in Vitória de Santo Antão, 55 kilometers from the capital. These units were named the Academic Center of the Agreste (CAA) and the Academic Center of Vitória (CAV), respectively. Starting in 2025, UFPE will expand to Sertânia, in Pernambuco’ sertão region, offering six undergraduate courses.

Nowadays, UFPE comprises a community of approximately 35,000 undergraduate and graduate students, 3,000 faculty members, and 4,000 technical and administrative staff.

Universidade Federal de Pernambuco, Campus Recife (Foto: Acervo)

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REGISTRATION

Registration is free of charge and can be completed through the digital form available through the link below. Once you have registered, we kindly ask that you send us your flight information by July 31, 2025. This step will not only confirm your participation, but is also essential for the logistical organization of the events in Recife.

HOTELS

Nome do Hotel Nota Distância para o Cais do Sertão Endereço Link
Marante Plaza Hotel 8,5 6,8 km Av. Boa Viagem, 1070, Boa Viagem, Recife, CEP 51011000, Brazil Visitar site
Grand Mercure Boa Viagem 8,0 9,9 km Av. Boa Viagem, 4070, Boa Viagem, Recife, CEP 51021-000, Brasil Visitar site
Novotel Recife Marina 9,1 1,6 km Cais Santa Rita 46, Recife, CEP 50020455, Brasil Visitar site
Transamérica Prestige Recife 8,6 7,7 km Avenida Boa Viagem, 420, Recife, CEP 51011-000, Brasil Visitar site