Internationalization
Institutional Strategic Alignment and Program Planning
The PPGEC is strongly aligned with the Institutional Development Plan (PDI) of the Federal University of Viçosa (UFV), which establishes the internationalization of graduate programs as a strategic objective. Among the institutional goals are placing UFV among the top 1,000 universities in international rankings (THE and QS), increasing the number of graduate courses taught in English, encouraging double-degree programs, and strengthening joint programs. In line with these goals, the PPGEC has included internationalization as one of its main strategic objectives in its 2025–2029 Strategic Plan, aiming to enhance its visibility and international relevance.
Faculty Profile and International Engagement
The Program has a highly qualified faculty composed of 23 professors, 7 of whom have completed part or all of their academic training abroad (approximately 30%). Notably, Professor Ann Honor Mounteer is a foreign faculty member with a solid academic background from universities in Canada and the United States. Several professors maintain active collaborations with international institutions, which has facilitated co-advising, joint publications, and participation in thesis and dissertation committees with researchers from other countries.
International Students and Globally Engaged Alumni
PPGEC has been expanding its appeal to international students. By 2024, four international students were regularly enrolled in the program, coming from Colombia, Pakistan, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, and Venezuela. During the same period, three international students completed their degrees through the Program. Additionally, several Brazilian alumni are currently working abroad as researchers or pursuing doctoral studies in Germany, Portugal, and Austria. These trajectories demonstrate the reach of the training provided and the quality of the Program’s global integration.
International Academic Mobility and Sandwich Doctorates
The PPGEC actively participates in the “Sandwich Doctorate Program Abroad” (PDSE), having sent several students to prestigious international institutions. Research topics include sustainability, biofuels, structural safety, and geotechnics.
Courses Taught in Foreign Languages
The Program has made progress in offering courses in English, with four courses regularly available and two more in development. Course topics include construction materials, ecotoxicology, sanitation, eco-efficient construction, scientific writing, and technological entrepreneurship. Additional courses have been offered as special topics taught by visiting professors, such as the course on probabilistic modeling by Professor Xavier Romão. Furthermore, the required courses CIV 797 and CIV 799 are now offered in English, supporting the inclusion of students who are not Portuguese speakers.
Theses and Dissertations in Foreign Languages
The production of academic work in foreign languages has increased significantly. Between 2021 and 2024, more than 10% of theses and dissertations were written in English, covering a range of topics including sustainable materials, environmental sanitation, and geotechnics. This practice contributes to the international visibility of the Program and strengthens students’ ability to communicate science in global contexts.
Structural Actions and Bilingual Communication
PPGEC has implemented several structural actions to support its internationalization policy. A Permanent Internationalization Committee was established to propose and coordinate specific initiatives. A bilingual website (Portuguese-English) was developed, along with institutional profiles on social media platforms such as Instagram and LinkedIn. Selection calls for admissions have also begun to be published in three languages.
Agreements, Programs, and Participation in International Networks
The Program participates in institutional internationalization initiatives such as Move La America, GCUB, and the UNITA alliance. It has also offered remote and in-person courses in English, widely promoted through UFV’s Office of International Affairs (DRI). Coordination with DRI and the Office of Research and Graduate Studies has enabled the establishment of new agreements and the strengthening of ongoing initiatives.
Collaborations with International Researchers
PPGEC maintains partnerships with numerous international researchers involved in co-advising, thesis committees, scientific publications, and research projects. Collaborators include specialists from Germany, France, Spain, and Portugal in areas such as construction materials, geotechnics, sanitation, seismic modeling, and sustainability. These partnerships have also supported resource acquisition and the Program’s integration into international scientific networks.
Organization and Participation in International Events
Faculty members have participated in and helped organize international events, such as the Slope Stability 2024 conference held in Minas Gerais, with support from international institutions. The Program has also hosted technical and academic visits by international professors, including Professor Xavier Romão, who taught a course and delivered lectures at UFV, contributing to student training and the Program’s global promotion.
Evaluation and Future Perspectives
The results of PPGEC’s internationalization efforts are evident in the increased number of international students and alumni, the growing academic output in English, the strengthening of international partnerships, and the Program’s presence in global cooperation networks. Moving forward, PPGEC aims to consolidate this progress by expanding bilingual communication, increasing course offerings, promoting incentive policies, and boosting student mobility. With its strengthened laboratory infrastructure and high-quality scientific output, PPGEC is well-positioned to sustain and expand its international presence.