History

The Federal University of Itajubá (UNIFEI) was founded in November 23, 1913, as the
Electrotechnical and Mechanical Institute of Itajubá (Instituto Eletrotécnico e Mecânico de
Itajubá – IEMI) by the personal endeavor of lawyer Theodomiro Carneiro Santiago. It was
the tenth Engineering School in Brasil and soon it stood out for its formation of highly
qualified professionals, specialized in electrical systems, mostly in generation, transmission
and distribution of electric energy.
Initially, the course lasted three years, and four after 1923. In 1936, it became the
Electrotechnical Institute of Itajubá (Instituto Eletrotécnico de Itajubá – IEI) and in 1956, the
Institute became a Federal institution.
The institute was then renamed to Escola Federal de Engenharia de Itajubá – EFEI (Federal
Engineering School of Itajubá) in 1968 and the main course was divided into Electrical and
Mechanical Engineering undergraduate courses. Also, in 1968, it started its Masters in
Electrical and Mechanical Engineering.
In 1980, the courses of Industrial Engineering and Electronics Engineering were created.
Furthering its expansion policy, aiming to meet a broader and more diverse national and
regional demand of professionals in the technological area, the institution started five new
programs in 1998. Along with a new set of courses, it became a technological university in
2002.
Through a pioneering partnership between the local government (Municipal Government of
Itabira), the private sector (Vale Company), the Ministry of Education – MEC and the
Universidade Federal de Itajubá, it was created a new campus in Itabira, whose activities
started in 2008.