History 

In 1979, during the administration of Provost José Cruciano de Araújo (1978-1981), the Office of Extension was established at the Federal University of Goiás (UFG). The purpose of this office was to coordinate outreach service activities, with Professor Maria do Rosário Cassimiro serving as the Dean.

During that period, the university adopted a policy of internalization. This approach, aligned with the directives of the Ministry of Education and the Ministry of the Interior, involved initiatives associated with the Rondon project and the Rural University Center for Training and Community Action (Crutac). The goal was to facilitate direct experiences for university students and civil servants, enabling them to immerse themselves in the realities of the interior of Brazil.

The experience of internalization was both controversial and diverse in its impact. Throughout its existence, it elicited a range of reactions within the academic community in Goiânia. Some individuals discovered a renewed sense of purpose to carry on in their university journey, while others met it with apathy. Certain individuals chose to overlook it entirely, while some outright rejected it, viewing it as yet another authoritarian decision by the university administration. The responses to this initiative were multifaceted and often polarized.

Simultaneously, in Jataí, a demand emerged from the local community directed towards the then-mayor, Mauro Antônio Bento. The community sought initiatives to introduce higher education programs to the city, addressing the municipality's internal educational needs. This was framed within the context of promoting progress and advancing the development of the area.

In July 1979, the Pro-Higher Course Commission of the Lions Club of Jataí took the initiative to draft a letter along with a petition. This correspondence was intended for delivery to Professor Cruciano, the dean of UFG. The purpose behind the letter was to formally request the establishment of higher education programs within the city. A dedicated group from the Jataí community formed a commission and personally handed over this document to convey their plea for higher education courses to be established in the area.

Despite facing resistance from various segments of the university community in Goiânia, the policy of expanding higher education to different regions, along with the allocated resources, persisted. Additionally, there was a significant demand from the community in Jataí. As a result, the municipality was granted the opportunity to establish an advanced campus. This decision came with a caveat: Jataí had to provide both the physical space and the building required for the campus installation. In return, UFG committed to supplying the necessary technical-administrative and teaching staff to facilitate the operation of courses within the city.

The internalization of UFG was realized through the establishment of four advanced campuses in different regions of the state. These campuses were located in Porto Nacional and Firminópolis (1975), Jataí (1980), and Catalão (1983).

Playing a pivotal role in the UFG internalization initiative was Professor Maria do Rosário Cassimiro, who held the position of Dean of Extension during that period. Cassimiro recognized the potential of extension activities as a means to intimately understand rural realities. She promoted the exchange of experiences and fostered a stronger connection between the university and the local communities. Throughout her tenure, she consistently advocated for the concept of public interiorization, emphasizing the importance of involving the community in these efforts.

March 10, 1980, marked a significant milestone with the signing of Resolution 145/1980, which led to the establishment of the Advanced Campus of Jataí (CAJ). The primary goal at the outset was to establish a space that would serve as both an internship site and an extension of the university's activities. This space was intended to foster an environment conducive to regional development. The overarching objective was to facilitate the expansion of teacher training courses as part of the broader effort to achieve the internalization of educational opportunities.

 

Works on Riachuelo Campus in the 1980s  

 

The establishment of the UFG Advanced Campus brought about a significant triumph, not just for the local community but for the broader Southwest region of Goiás. This campus was dedicated to providing accessible and tuition-free higher education. On December 19, 1980, the inauguration of the building designated for the campus took place, sparking considerable attention and enthusiasm across the region. As an initial step, the first course introduced was the Full Degree in Sciences, offering specialization options in Mathematics, Chemistry, and Physics. The academic activities for this course commenced in March 1981, albeit on an experimental basis. This marked an important milestone in the ongoing effort to broaden educational opportunities in the area.

[...]

In 1985, the Pedagogy course was introduced, with professors who were hired under a contract signed between the university and the municipality via the Educational Foundation of Jataí (FEJ). Following that, Language courses were established in 1990, Geography and a Bachelor's Degree program in Physical Education in 1994, and Mathematics and Biological Sciences (Bachelor's Degree) in 1996. Subsequently, in 1997, programs in Agronomy and Veterinary Science were inaugurated.

However, after over a decade of functioning under the internalization model that began in the 1980s, the CAJ encountered challenges. The growth of the campus resulted in the Educational Foundation of Jataí (FEJ) struggling to uphold the commitments made in contracts with the university, leading to disruptions in the campus's operations.

Amidst various hardships, particularly those related to the university budget, the 1990s witnessed a collaborative effort. Professors and the campus administration, with support from the State government of Goiás, the municipal government of Jataí, and FEJ, initiated a movement advocating for the federalization of CAJ. This movement gained traction and resonated within the university's central administration, while also garnering support from diverse segments of society.

In July 1995, a significant document titled "Political-Pedagogical Proposal for the Federalization of the Advanced Campus of the Federal University of Goiás in Jataí (GO)" was submitted to the Ministry of Education. This comprehensive document outlined the campus's physical facilities, the activities conducted by its professionals, and the historical, geographical, and socioeconomic significance of the municipality. Despite the project not receiving approval, the campus persevered and continued its expansion efforts.

A pivotal development occurred on November 11, 2005, through Consuni Resolution 20/2005, when the Jataí Advanced Campus was renamed the Jataí Campus, while retaining its acronym CAJ. Although this might seem like a mere name change, it signified a shift in the campus's activities. With this change, the CAJ established its own administrative structure, which comprised a dedicated team in Jataí responsible for devising and suggesting strategies to enhance the institution's overall functioning and teaching-learning experiences.

Under the umbrella of the Expansion Plan, the campus introduced a series of new undergraduate courses. In 2006, programs in Animal Science, Chemistry (degree), Physics, and History were launched. The momentum continued in 2007 with the introduction of Psychology and Biomedicine courses, followed by Nursing and Computer Science in 2008.

With the implementation of the Reuni (Program to Support Restructuring and Expansion Plans for Federal Universities), the campus added five more undergraduate courses: Law (2009), Forestry Engineering (2009), Physical Education (bachelor's degree) (2010), Physiotherapy (2010), and Chemistry (Bachelor's Degree) (2012). Furthermore, in 2013, as part of the Medical Education Expansion Program, the campus introduced the Medicine course, rounding out its ever-expanding offerings.

 

 

Construction of Jatobá Campus portal in the year 2011.

 

In January 2014, with the approval of the University's new statute, the Jataí Campus underwent a name change and was rebranded as the Regional Jataí (REJ).

Over the course of its existence, the campus has continually expanded its range of offerings, leading to a diverse array of courses. Presently, it provides 25 undergraduate programs spanning multiple disciplines including Agrarian Sciences, Biological and Health Sciences, Exact Sciences, Humanities, and Linguistics, as well as Letters and Arts. In addition to its undergraduate curriculum, the campus extends its educational reach by offering both lato sensu (specializations) and stricto sensu (master's and doctoral) postgraduate programs.

Among its postgraduate offerings, the campus boasts five master's degree programs: Agronomy (with a focus on plant production), Geography, Applied Health Sciences, Professional Master's in Mathematics (Profmat), and Education. Furthermore, the campus takes pride in hosting a PhD program in Geography, showcasing the institution's commitment to advanced academic pursuits. The expansion and diversification of course offerings underscore the evolution and growth of the Regional Jataí, reflecting its dedication to providing quality education across a spectrum of disciplines.

[...] 

Source: History, memory and affections: 40 years of the Federal University in Jataí, 2018. 

 

Today and tomorrow 

In October 2015, after a series of negotiations, the land on which the Jatobá Campus stands was formally transferred from the Goiás State Government to UFG. During this time, the Regional administration took steps to engage the State Governor, seeking intervention from the federal government to establish UFG's autonomy in Jataí. This pursuit would only be possible through the dismemberment of UFG.

Subsequently, on May 9, 2016, the executive branch introduced a bill to create the Federal University of Jataí. The bill underwent deliberation in the Federal Chamber and received approval on December 19, 2017. Soon after, it progressed through the Senate, ultimately gaining approval on February 21, 2018.

Following its endorsement in the Federal Senate, the bill moved on for presidential sanction. The Government Secretariat received the bill on February 28, 2018, and it was formally sanctioned on March 20, 2018, with its official publication taking place on March 21, 2018.

Through PLC 7/2018, the Federal University of Jataí (UFJ) was established. The university's headquarters and jurisdiction were designated to be within the municipality of Jataí itself. The legislation also mandated the automatic transfer of courses, students, and positions. The UFJ campus was formed by the combination of Riachuelo and Jatobá units, collectively known as Cidade Universitária José Cruciano de Araújo. This marked the culmination of efforts to create a distinct institution dedicated to higher education in Jataí.

 

Dawn of March 21, 2018 - the establishment of UFJ 

 

In addition to taking advantage of the existing structure of UFG, the text foresaw the creation of 67 permanent positions within the career plan for technical-administrative positions in education and 40 leadership positions. Today, UFJ offers 25 undergraduate courses, 4 lato sensu postgraduate courses (specializations), and 10 stricto sensu courses (master's and doctoral), including 9 master's programs in Agronomy (vegetal production), Geography, Applied Sciences in Health, Education, Animal Bioscience, Chemistry, Biodiversity, and Law (under implementation-2024). It also offers a Professional Master's in Mathematics (Profmat) and in Education, along with a Ph.D. program in Geography.

 

Appointment of the provost

On December 11, 2019, through Ordinance No. 2,121 dated December 10, 2019, Professor Américo Nunes da Silveira Neto was appointed provost pro-tempore of the Federal University of Jataí, taking office on December 12.
Between the years 2020 and 2023, guiding documents for institutional management, such as the Statute, Regulations, and various internal regulations, were developed, discussed, and approved.
The management continued until January 2024 when the first elected Provost was appointed.

 

The First Elected Administration

After conducting the first consultative process to choose the Provost and vice in September 2023, the University Council endorsed the tripartite list with the rector's recommendation, which was appointed by the Ministry of Education on January 30, 2024.

Professor Christiano Peres Coelho, from the Institute of Biosciences, and Professor Alana Flávia Romani, from the Institute of Agricultural Sciences, took over as the provost and vice-provost for the quadrennium 2024-2027, becoming the first leaders chosen by the university community of UFJ.