Federal Center for Technological Education of Rio de Janeiro facts for kids
Centro Federal de Educação Tecnológica Celso Suckow da Fonseca
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Other name
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Federal Center for Technological Education of Rio de Janeiro |
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Former name
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Escola Técnica Nacional; Escola Normal de Artes e Ofícios Wenceslau Brás |
Motto | Um olhar para o futuro: Universidade Tecnológica Federal do Rio de Janeiro |
Motto in English
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A look to the future: Federal Technological University of Rio de Janeiro |
Type | Public university system, Federal |
Established | 1917 |
Affiliation | Ministry of Education |
Endowment | 321.044.301,00 (Treasure Union in 2016) |
Chancellor | Carlos Henrique Figueiredo Alves |
Vice-Chancellor | Mauricio Motta |
Students | 10 523 |
Location |
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22°54′44″S 43°13′28″W / 22.91222°S 43.22444°W |
Campus | 8 campuses: Maracanã, Maria da Graça, Nova Iguaçu, Valença, Petrópolis, Itaguaí, Angra dos Reis and Nova Friburgo |
Colors | Blue, White and Gray (yellow occasionally) |
Website | www.cefet-rj.br |
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The Federal Center for Technological Education "Celso Suckow da Fonseca", often called CEFET/RJ, is a well-known school in Brazil. It is managed by the Brazilian Ministry of Education. CEFET/RJ offers many types of courses. These include technical high school programs, university degrees, and even advanced studies for adults.
The school focuses on engineering fields. These include mechanics, information technology, electronics, telecommunications, metallurgy, petrochemicals, and electrical studies. CEFET/RJ has its main campus in Maracanã, a neighborhood in Rio de Janeiro. It also has other campuses in different cities across the state of Rio de Janeiro. Some of these cities are Petrópolis, Nova Friburgo, and Nova Iguaçu.
Contents
History of CEFET/RJ
Early Beginnings of Vocational Education
In Brazil, schools like CEFET/RJ have grown over time. They helped the country become more industrial in the 20th century. Their story is linked to the start of vocational education. This type of education teaches practical skills for jobs. It began in 1909 when President Nilo Peçanha created schools for apprentices. These schools taught basic and free job skills in state capitals.
Founding and Early Names
The school now known as CEFET/RJ started in Rio de Janeiro in 1917. At that time, Rio de Janeiro was Brazil's capital. It was first called the Normal School of Arts and Crafts Wenceslau Braz. Its job was to train teachers and supervisors for vocational education.
In 1919, the federal government took over the school. It was reorganized in 1937. The school became a lyceum for vocational education. This meant it offered many types of job-focused training. It was similar to other apprentice schools run by the government.
Becoming a National Technical School
In 1937, plans were approved to build a new vocational lyceum. But before it opened, its name changed again. It became the National Technical School in 1942. This change followed a new law about industrial education.
This school was set up to offer different levels of technical courses. It helped organize the federal network of industrial education schools.

Focus on Technical Training
In 1959, the National Technical School gained more freedom to manage itself. It slowly stopped offering basic courses. Instead, it focused only on training technicians. In 1966, new higher education courses were added. These courses trained professionals for industries quickly. They worked with the Federal University of Rio de Janeiro (UFRJ) for teachers and diplomas.
To train teachers for these technical courses, a special center was created in 1971.
Name Changes and Growth
The school changed its name a few times. In 1965, it became the Federal Technical School of Guanabara. In 1967, it was renamed the Federal Technical School Celso Suckow da Fonseca. This was to honor its first director, Celso Suckow da Fonseca, after he passed away.
Finally, in 1978, a new law changed it into a Federal Center for Technological Education. This is how it got its current name, CEFET/RJ.
Since 1978, CEFET/RJ has grown a lot. It now offers university degrees and advanced studies. It also does research and community projects in technology. The school is known for its strong technical programs.
CEFET/RJ has expanded its campuses. It has a main campus in Maracanã. It also has seven other campuses in different cities. These include Maria da Graça (also in Rio de Janeiro), Nova Iguaçu, Petrópolis, Nova Friburgo, Itaguaí, Valença, and Angra dos Reis.
The school aims to help the state of Rio de Janeiro grow. It trains professionals for many important industries. These include metalworking, petrochemicals, electricity, electronics, telecommunications, and information technology. CEFET/RJ wants to keep training skilled people for Brazil's future.
The school was also known as:
- Escola Tecnica Nacional
- Escola Tecnica Federal da Guanabara (from 1965)
- Escola Tecnica Federal Celso Suckow da Fonseca (from 1967)
- Centro Federal de Educação Tecnológica Celso Suckow da Fonseca (from 1978)
Academic Programs
CEFET/RJ offers many different courses. These programs help students learn skills for various jobs and careers.
Technical Courses
These courses are usually part of high school education. They teach specific job skills.
Undergraduate Courses
As of 2020, CEFET/RJ offers 20 different university-level courses. These lead to bachelor's degrees.
- Computer Science
- Information Systems
- Computer Engineering
- Internet Services Technology
- Physics
- Civil Engineering
- Electrical Engineering
- Electronic Engineering
- Environmental Engineering
- Metallurgical Engineering
- Control Engineering
- Telecommunications Engineering
- Mechanical Engineering
- Production Engineering
- Food Engineering
- Administration
- Workplace safety
- Tourism Management
- Environmental Management
- Applied Foreign Languages for International Negotiations
Post-Graduation Courses
CEFET/RJ also has 15 advanced study programs. These include 7 specialization courses and 8 master's and doctoral degrees. These programs are for students who want to study even further after their first university degree.
Campuses of CEFET/RJ
CEFET/RJ has 8 campuses in 7 different cities in the Rio de Janeiro State. A campus is a school's main area, including its buildings and grounds.
- Maracanã: This is the main campus. It is located in the Maracanã neighborhood of Rio de Janeiro City.
- Maria da Graça: This is the second campus in Rio de Janeiro City. It is in the Maria da Graça neighborhood.
- Angra dos Reis: Located in the city of Angra dos Reis.
- Itaguaí: Located in the city of Itaguaí.
- Nova Friburgo: Located in the city of Nova Friburgo.
- Nova Iguaçu: Located in the city of Nova Iguaçu.
- Petrópolis: Located in the city of Petrópolis.
- Valença: Located in the city of Valença.
See also
In Spanish: Centro Federal de Educação Tecnológica Celso Suckow da Fonseca para niños
- CEFET