« Best Universities 2009 » Prize

The « Pontifícia Universidade Católica do Rio Grande do Sul » (PUCRS) is the best private University of the Year in Brazil, according to the « Best Universities 2009 » Prize, of the Student Guide and the « Banco Real ? Grupo Santander ». The presentation of the prize took place in the « Teatro Memorial da América Latina », in São Paulo. At the same function, the University of São Paulo, USP, was recognized as the best public University in the country. The prize was presented officially to the Rector, Br. Joaquim Clotet, on 27 October 2009. In his words of acceptance, Br. Joachim stated that « the prize recognizes the quality of the PUCRS, a University open to society, Catholic, directed and administered by the Marist Brothers. Based on respect for the rights of the person, the Institution directs its efforts to teaching, research, and promotion, always committed to the integral formation of the person in the religious, human, and professional dimensions. »

The University today counts 51 licentiate courses, 23 masters and 19 doctoral, as well as 70 specialist courses and a significant number of finishing courses. With 26,000 students preparing for their licentiates and 3,000 for post-licentiate, the PUCRS, which has already trained more than133, 000 professionals, offers a formation for a constantly changing world of work and for the acquiring of the skills necessary for citizenship. Br. Joaquim continued: « such is the distinction coming from the effort, the labour, and the quality of the work started by Brother Afonso in the rooms of the Colégio Rosário, in 1931, and which a significant number of qualified Brothers and collaborators have contributed to down to our time. To them, in the name of the Institute of the Marist Brothers and of the Brazilian Nation, our recognition and gratitude.

Department of Communications, PUCRS