Unigranrio

Established in 1970, Unigranrio stands as a testament to the vision of Professor José de Souza Herdy. He founded the Associação Fluminense de Educação (AFE), which laid the foundation for what would become this esteemed university. Unigranrio initially started as Faculdades Unidas Grande Rio. Its first courses, launched in 1972, focused on Accounting and Administration, followed by Pedagogy and Literature in the subsequent year. In 1974, the Centro Educacional de Duque de Caxias (CEDUC) was established to serve as a training school, further expanding the institution’s reach. The 1980s marked Unigranrio’s foray into healthcare education with the introduction of Dentistry, Nursing, and Pharmacy programs. These were complemented by courses in Biological Sciences, Mathematics, and Chemistry, broadening the university’s academic portfolio. Upon the passing of José Herdy, his son, Arody Cordeiro Herdy, took the helm. He steered Unigranrio through a significant transformation, culminating in its recognition as a private university in 1994. This recognition paved the way for the establishment of Law, Computer Science, and Executive Secretarial programs. In 1995, Veterinary Medicine and a Portuguese-Spanish specialization for the Literature course were added. The 1990s also witnessed the introduction of Medicine and Physiotherapy programs, strengthening Unigranrio’s commitment to healthcare education. Unigranrio continued to expand its offerings in the 2000s with Physical Education, Social Work, and Nutrition programs. It also added degrees in Artistic Education (Visual Arts) and History, along with several technology-focused higher education courses. Today, Unigranrio boasts a main campus in Duque de Caxias and other locations in Rio de Janeiro and Nova Iguaçu. It offers a wide range of undergraduate, graduate, and postgraduate programs across various disciplines. The university also has several master’s and doctoral programs in fields like Dentistry, Administration, Biomedicine, and Humanities. Unigranrio’s medical program is particularly sought after, making it one of the most competitive private universities in the state of Rio de Janeiro. While it achieved recognition as the second-best private university in Rio de Janeiro in 2009, Unigranrio continues to strive for excellence.