Cefet-MG and Cefet-RJ transformed into federal universities

President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva has sanctioned Law 15.521/26, officially transforming the Federal Centers for Technological Education (Cefets) of Minas Gerais and Rio de Janeiro into federal universities. The new institutions are named the Universidade Federal de Ciência e Inovação de Minas Gerais (UFCI-MG) and the Universidade Federal de Ciência e Inovação do Rio de Janeiro (UFCI-RJ).

Under the new legal structure, both institutions will operate as autarchies linked to the Ministry of Education, granting them increased administrative, financial, and academic autonomy. This change allows for expanded research, extension, and postgraduate activities. The law ensures that the historical mission of providing technical secondary education is maintained, and all currently enrolled students, faculty, and assets will be automatically transferred to the new universities.

UFCI-MG will be headquartered in Belo Horizonte and manages 11 campuses, while UFCI-RJ will manage eight campuses, including units in Rio de Janeiro, Petrópolis, and Nova Iguaçu. The implementation of these universities is subject to federal budget provisions, though the transition is not expected to cause an immediate increase in personnel expenses.