# Franciscan University

> private non-profit catholic university in Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil

**Wikidata**: [Q5062888](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q5062888)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Universidade_Franciscana)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/franciscan-university

## Summary
Franciscan University (UFN) is a private, non-profit Catholic university located in Santa Maria, in the state of Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil. Founded in 1951, it operates as a higher education institution and an open-access publisher. It was formerly known as Centro Universitário Franciscano (Unifra).

## Key Facts
- **Full Name**: Universidade Franciscana (Franciscan University).
- **Short Name**: UFN.
- **Former Names**: Centro Universitário Franciscano, Unifra, Centro Universitario Franciscano.
- **Location**: Santa Maria, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil.
- **Founded**: 1951.
- **Type**: Private, non-profit, Catholic university.
- **Industry**: Higher education.
- **Website**: http://www.ufn.edu.br
- **Institutional Classifications**: University, private educational institution, private not-for-profit educational institution, higher education institution, open-access publisher.
- **Logo Timeline**: Used a transitional "Unifra" logo until March 22, 2018; adopted the current "Universidade Franciscana" logo on March 23, 2018.
- **Wikipedia Presence**: Available in English, Spanish, and Portuguese.

## FAQs
### Q: When was Franciscan University founded?
The university was established in 1951.

### Q: Where is Franciscan University located?
The institution is located in the city of Santa Maria, within the state of Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil.

### Q: What was Franciscan University previously called?
It was previously known as Centro Universitário Franciscano, often referred to by the acronym Unifra. A rebranding occurred in March 2018.

### Q: Is Franciscan University a public or private institution?
It is a private, non-profit Catholic educational institution.

### Q: besides education, does the university engage in other activities?
Yes, the university is also classified as an open-access publisher.

## Why It Matters
Franciscan University serves as a significant center for higher education in the southern region of Brazil. Its classification as a private, non-profit Catholic institution highlights its role in providing values-based education and professional training. By transitioning from a University Center (Unifra) to a full University (UFN), the institution expanded its academic authority and research capabilities. Furthermore, its function as an open-access publisher contributes to the dissemination of knowledge and academic research within the global scientific community.

## Notable For
- **Status Transition**: Successfully transitioned from "Centro Universitário" (University Center) to "Universidade" (University), reflected in its branding change in March 2018.
- **Non-Profit Model**: Operates as a private not-for-profit entity, distinguishing it from purely commercial educational ventures.
- **Open Access Publishing**: Holds a specific classification as an open-access publisher, facilitating the free availability of academic research.
- **International Identifiers**: Maintains a robust presence in global academic databases, including GRID, ROR, and VIAF.

## Body

### Identity and Mission
Franciscan University (Universidade Franciscana), commonly abbreviated as UFN, is a multidisciplinary academic institution. It is legally structured as a private, non-profit educational institution affiliated with the Catholic Church. The university focuses on the industry of higher education, serving the community of Rio Grande do Sul. In addition to its educational role, the institution is recognized as an open-access publisher, contributing to scholarly communication.

### History and Rebranding
The university was founded in 1951. For a significant portion of its history, it operated under the name Centro Universitário Franciscano (Franciscan University Center), using the acronyms Unifra or CUF. A major rebranding initiative took place in late March 2018. The "Unifra" transitional logo was utilized until March 22, 2018. On the following day, March 23, 2018, the institution officially adopted its current branding and name, Universidade Franciscana, to reflect its new status as a university.

### Location and Geography
The university's physical campus is situated in Santa Maria, a key city in the central region of the state of Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil. Its geographic and administrative context is defined by its location within Brazil.

### Global Databases and Identifiers
Franciscan University is indexed in numerous international academic and authority databases, reflecting its legitimacy and global reach:
- **GRID ID**: grid.411132.4
- **ROR ID**: 00wbge811
- **ISNI**: 0000000406030788
- **VIAF ID**: 308717597
- **Ringgold ID**: 42510 (listed as Universidade Franciscana)
- **Library of Congress Authority ID**: no2016171049
- **Yale LUX ID**: group/50f57a1d-f9d5-43da-8ba1-b0b31f58bb40
- **Microsoft Academic ID**: 226123470 (discontinued service)
- **Freebase ID**: /m/050s5b

### Digital Presence
The university maintains a digital footprint across various platforms:
- **Official Website**: http://www.ufn.edu.br
- **Wikimedia**: The institution has a sitelink count of 3 and is listed on the focus list for the "WikiProject Academic Publisher" on Wikidata.
- **Wikipedia**: Articles about the university exist in English, Spanish, and Portuguese, titled "Universidade Franciscana."
- **Quora**: It has a dedicated topic page under "Centro-Universitário-Franciscano."
- **Visuals**: An image of the institution is hosted on Wikimedia Commons under the filename "Centro_Universitário_Franciscano.JPG".

## References

1. list of Higher Education Institutions of Brazil
2. Directory of Open Access Journals
3. GRID Release 2017-01-10
4. Virtual International Authority File
5. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013
6. GRID Release 2015-12-14
7. Quora
8. Microsoft Academic Knowledge Graph