The Institute of Informatics (Instituto de Informática) is a world-class center of excellence in Computer Science and Computer Engineering research, teaching, and innovation. The Institute of Informatics has an infrastructure encompassing a number of networked teaching labs with over 510 computers, 35 research labs, 2 rooms of video and web conferences for defense presentations, meetings and classes, 4 lecture theaters, and a specialized library with over 22,000 titles.

The Institute has 75 faculty members, which makes it one of the largest Computer Science and Computer Engineering groups in the country. One of our main characteristics is a strong connections between hardware- and software-oriented research. The Institute also includes a team of 36 admin staff to provide support for a community of over 700 undergraduate and 250 graduate students.

Mission

The Informatics Institute (INF) is part of the Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul (UFRGS), a public institution with a strong sense of community service and committed to both high-quality education and world-leading scientific research.

Its mission is to prepare highly qualified professionals, to contribute to scientific knowledge and innovation, and to support technology transfer to Industry to the benefit of both university and community.

INF continuously seeks to consolidate itself as a center of excellence in undergraduate and postgraduate education, research in science and technology, with a realistic vision of the Brazilian society and future. INF also serves the community through extra-curricular activities and by fostering entrepreneurship, technology transfer, and regional economic development through CEI – Center for Entrepreneurship in Informatics.

INF maintains active collaborations with other units of the university, the industry, and other universities in Brazil and worldwide.

History

The Institute was founded in 1989 as one of the faculties of the Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul (UFRGS), the largest public university in southern Brazil. It is engaged in teaching, research, and other services to the community in the areas of Computer Science and Technology. It originated from the Academic Division of the Data Processing Center of UFRGS (later named Department of Informatics), which was in charge, since 1968, of the teaching and research in computer science activities at UFRGS.

INF is divided into two academic units – the Department of Applied Informatics and the Department of Theoretical Informatics – and offers degrees in Computer Science and Computer Engineering (an interdisciplinary program in cooperation with the Engineering School). MSc and PhD programs are offered by the PPGC – Graduate Program in Computing, PGMICRO – Graduate Program in Microelectronics, and PGIE – Graduate Program in Informatics in Education.