The Federal Rural University of the Semi-arid Region (Portuguese: Universidade Federal Rural do Semi-Árido, UFERSA) is a Brazilian federal university located in Mossoró, in the state of Rio Grande do Norte. It was created on August 1, 2005, by Law No 11.155, which transformed the Superior School of Agronomy of Mossoró (ESAM) into a federal university. ESAM was a municipal Higher Education Institution created on April 18, 1967, by Decree No 03/67 and incorporated to the federal educational system as a Governmental agency under special regime by Decree No 1036, on October 21, 1969. Nowadays, UFERSA has reached a 4 general index course (IGC), according to the Brazilian Ministry of Education. Throughout Higher Education specific activities, UFERSA seeks to contribute to regional development by creating alternatives and solutions for local problems, especially those affecting people and Caatinga ecosystem. Source: Wikipedia (en)