Staff Member of the International at UniFAJ is a nominee for the “Global BEEHIVE Teacher of Excellence Awards,” alongside representatives from countries such as the United States, France, and Poland

Ana Carolina Faustini, a member of the International Department at the University Center of Jaguariúna (UniFAJ), was announced as a finalist for the international “Global BEEHIVE Teacher of Excellence Awards,” organized by Global Partners in Education (GPE).

In addition to working in the International Department, Ana Carolina serves as coordinator of the institutions’ Bilingual Program and as an English language instructor, developing initiatives focused on global education, intercultural communication, and international academic experiences for students.

She is representing Brazil among the six finalists in the Global BEEHIVE category, alongside participants from countries such as Colombia, Mexico, France, the United States, and Poland. The awards ceremony is part of the program for the 19th Annual GPE Conference, which will be held online from May 18 to 21, 2026, bringing together institutions and professionals from various countries to discuss new directions in global collaborative education, international projects, and COIL (Collaborative Online International Learning) initiatives.

For Ana Carolina, this international recognition symbolizes not only a personal achievement but also the strengthening of the work carried out by Brazilian institutions in the context of the internationalization of higher education. “As an internationalist, and as the only Brazilian nominated for this award, being among the finalists feels incredibly surreal. I was nominated by other professors from the GPE network who have worked with me, so this is an award based on the evaluation of professionals who are also dedicated to education and connecting people from all over the world,” she says.

Currently, UniFAJ is the only Brazilian institution that is a member of the GPE, a network comprising 49 higher education institutions from 31 countries that has been dedicated to fostering global academic connections for more than 15 years.

Ana Carolina’s nomination is related to her work on the Global Business project, an initiative that fostered interaction between Brazilian students and students from Colombia, Mexico, and The Gambia through discussions on leadership, work culture, market trends, and global citizenship. “We worked to ensure that our students engaged meaningfully with students from other countries and could discuss how our nations can strengthen one another and how they can establish themselves as global citizens,” she explains.

For the professor, UniFAJ’s institutional support was essential for the consolidation of international initiatives. She points out that institutions have been investing in initiatives aimed at academic internationalization, such as the Bilingual Program and COIL projects. “UniFAJ is very open to the concept of internationalization in higher education. The Bilingual Program is an effort to break down cultural barriers and empower the academic community through foreign languages, while COIL has been gaining international recognition as a modern form of scientific diplomacy,” she notes.

Ana Carolina also emphasizes that internationalization goes beyond traditional exchange programs and should be accessible to the entire academic community. “The internationalization of higher education is more than just an expensive two-week exchange program to learn English. It is the driving force behind a more connected and more human academic community, and it can take place through research, lectures, digital exchanges, and academic collaborations. We believe in internationalization for everyone: staff, faculty, and students,” she concludes.

Participation in the leading event in the field in Latin America fosters new partnerships, facilitates the exchange of experiences, and paves the way for future institutional advancements

The Jaguariúna University Center (UniFAJ) participated in FAUBAI 2026, an annual fair organized by the Brazilian Association for International Education, held April 12–15 in Florianópolis, Santa Catarina. The institutions’ participation reinforced their commitment to the internationalization of higher education and opened doors to new academic connections around the world.

Considered the largest event on the internationalization of higher education in Latin America, the conference brought together universities, consulates, organizations, and experts from various countries to discuss trends, challenges, and opportunities in the global landscape.

For Ana Carolina Faustini, coordinator of the institutions’ Bilingual Program, participation was strategic both for institutional strengthening and for staff development. “Attending this event was very positive—an excellent opportunity for professional development—because, in addition to strengthening our network, we had the chance to engage with researchers and global leaders discussing trends, science diplomacy, and paths to internationalization,” she notes.

Global connections and new opportunities

During the fair, UniFAJ established and strengthened ties with institutions from various countries, including Canada, Chile, Peru, France, the United States, Russia, and Australia. Among the highlights were international interest in innovative initiatives developed by the institutions, such as digital exchange programs and the COIL (Collaborative Online International Learning) model, as well as recognition for being part of Global Partners in Education, as the only Brazilian representatives in the network.

Another key development was the establishment of ties with leading universities and organizations, such as U.S. institutions with a high degree of international diversity, European business schools, and globally renowned digital universities. There were also advances in institutional partnerships, including connections with Study Australia and initiatives linked to the University of Sydney. “Internationalization goes far beyond mobility. It connects teaching, research, and outreach, strengthens the academic community, and can transform life trajectories,” emphasizes Ana Carolina.

Another highlight of the university’s participation in FAUBAI 2026 was the presentation of the Bilingual Program and the institutions’ language policy to the international academic community, underscoring the commitment to training professionals prepared for global contexts. The initiative was presented as an innovative project, based on the integration of language, content, and culture in higher education, aligned with active methodologies, Content and Language Integrated Learning (CLIL), and the development of intercultural competencies.

Fundación Universia, in partnership with HORSE Technologies and supported by the Santander Open Academy platform, has opened applications for the international program Becas Tech Her Future, offering 50 scholarships, each valued at up to €2,500. This initiative is aimed at unemployed women or women with disabilities who are enrolled in undergraduate, master's, or doctoral programs in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) for the 2025–2026 academic year.

Applications can be submitted until January 19, 2026, directly through the Santander Open Academy platform. For students from UniMAX and UNIFAJ, it is essential that registration and login are completed exclusively using the institutional email address of their respective institution, ensuring proper academic affiliation during the selection process.

Candidates residing in Brazil, Argentina, Chile, Portugal, or Spain are eligible to participate, provided they meet the criteria outlined in the public notice, including proof of enrollment in technology-related courses. The program also reaffirms its commitment to inclusion by allocating at least 15% of the scholarships to women with disabilities.

Candidate selection will be based on an analysis of academic profile, socioeconomic status, and the motivation presented in their personal project. The final results are expected to be announced in early February 2026.

Through this initiative, Fundación Universia and HORSE Technologies reaffirm their commitment to promoting gender equality, social inclusion, and strengthening the presence of women in the technology sector, contributing to the development of qualified professionals in strategic and high-demand areas within the global market.