Facens at SXSW 2025:
Bringing Brazilian Innovation to a Global Stage!
We are finalist at SXSW Innovation Awards! 
Facens is a finalist at SXSW Innovation Awards at the Urban Experience category with the project From Smarty Campus to a Real Smart City.
Among 55 finalists in 11 categories, only two are Brazilian, which we are proudly one of them.
Representing Brazil and the future of learning 
Our multidisciplinary approach and tech-driven education promotes the integration between Academia, Private and Public sectors in order to develop solutions that will provide positive impact in society and the planet. Our presence at SXSW reinforces Brazil’s role as a leader in creating real-world solutions for a more connected society.
From Smart Campus to Real Smart Cities 
Our campus is a living lab where innovative solutions for smart cities are developed, tested, and implemented. Along with Splice Group and the city of Albertina, together we could deliver scalable impact for the city and its citizens and the 1st place at Band Excellent Cities Award for municipalities with less than 30 thousand inhabitants.
Meet Us at SXSW!
We are eager to exchange ideas and make connections! If you want to know more about solutions that will shape companies, cities and the future of education, contact us!
FROM A SMART CAMPUS TO A SMART CITY
Have you ever imagined living in a city where technology and innovation make life more efficient, connected and sustainable? This future is already happening in Brazil!
This is how Smart Cities are born, placing citizens at the center of decisions and implementing innovative solutions to improve the quality of life of the society.
From this concept, Smart Campus® Facens emerged — a University Campus that integrates knowledge and technology, becoming a center of excellence in the development of professionals prepared for the challenges of the present and the future.
Academia
Private Sector
Public Sector
Society
smart campus® fACENS
aN AWARD-WINNING INNOVATION HUB
The Smart Campus® Facens is much more than an academic environment – it is a living laboratory where innovate solutions for smart cities are developed, tested and implemented.
It is based on 9 strategic axes, which are the pillars of a Smart City, directing all of the Institution’s projects, connecting different areas of knowledge.
All Projects are aligned with the 17 SDGs (Sustainable Development Goals), bringing ESG solutions to every citizen.
Connection and development of partnerships between the academia, companies, government, and society.
More than 350 projects developed since 2014.
Everything managed through the Smart Campus Dashboard: control and operations center that manages all smart solutions applied within the Campus, in one place.
Case: A Smart City in Practice
The ideal model for transforming cities works through the connection between public authorities, private companies, educational institutions and the community.
In 2024, the Smart Campus® Facens has gone beyond the university and into a real city!
Facens, in partnership with GRUPO SPLICE, a private company that develops solutions for Smart Cities, with public and private partnerships within the country, implemented several innovative and intelligent solutions in the city of Albertina/MG, a small city of around 3,100 inhabitants (number 5,083 out of 5,570 cities throughout Brazil), making it a Smart City case, showing that the four columns composed of the academia, private initiative, public authorities and community can work together with intelligent solutions for the entire population.
Through solutions developed at Smart Campus® Facens together with the Splice Group’s SIIS integrated system, several actions were implemented in Albertina, including:
Remotely managed public lighting – greater efficiency and energy savings
Monitoring cameras – more security for the population
Weather station – real-time weather data collection and analysis
Free Internet – connectivity for all citizens
Educational and Health software solutions – areas that represent on average around half of the budget of Brazilian municipalities
Intelligent dashboard with integrated control and analysis systems for various data coming from solutions, generating intelligence in urban management
This initiative proves that innovation has no borders. With technology, knowledge and strategic partnerships, it is possible to transform spaces and impact people’s lives around the world.
Through the concept of a smart Campus, with the purposes of a smart city, the Smart Campus® Facens can be a replicable model for cities of the future, causing a huge transformation in society — and this change has already begun!
Explore Innovation:
Interactive Map of Case Studies
Explore Innovation:
Interactive Map of Case Studies
Facens: 48 years of innovative education!
Facens University is a not for profit center of excellence, where it combines knowledge, technology and innovation to prepare professional citizens prepared for life.
90%
student employability
Our 48 years of history has always been supported by the pillars of entrepreneurship, internationalization, innovation and sustainability, making the development of students and employees a priority.
Green and sustainable campus with over 1,076 sq. ft. of area.
12 Innovation Centers developing cutting-edge technologies for the market.
More than 40 strategic partnerships with renowned companies in the country and worldwide.
Cutting-edge technological infrastructure.
More than 60 specialized laboratories with cutting-edge insfrastructure.
Interactive and modern classrooms.
Modern and accessible library, in physical and digital version.
Well-being spaces and psycho-educational support for the entire Facens community.
Internationalization
Facens prepares global citizens with educational programs that develop international skills and global perspectives.
ESG
Facens is Brazil’s top private university in sustainability, recognized by UI Green Metrics 2024.
Innovation
A hub to develop innovation and smart solutions aligned with the needs of the market, society and the UN 2030 agenda.
Entrepreneurship
Fostering innovation by empowering students to create businesses and solve real-world challenges.
Around 4,700 students experience an innovative academic experience!
Facens offers undergraduate, graduate and extracurricular courses, in areas such as
Healthcare
Biomedicine
Nursing
Medicine
Veterinary Medicine
Dentistry
Psychology
Technology
Systems Analysis and Development
IT Management
Digital Games
Architecture
Architecture & Urban Planning
Engineering
Agricultural
Chemical
Civil
Computer
Electrical
Manufacturing
Mechatronics
Mechanical
More than 720 students in graduate programs
More than 4,000 students in undergraduate programs
More than 9,000 graduates
More than 9,000 alumni
More than 680 staff members in the campus
IP Facens connects companies, social organizations and public bodies to the future through research, development and innovation projects.
IP Facens connects companies, social organizations and public bodies to the future through research, development and innovation projects.
smart campus® fACENS
aN AWARD-WINNING INNOVATION HUB
With modern infrastructure and a highly qualified team, IP Facens works side by side with companies to develop:
Applied research and creation of new technologies
Testing and validation for innovative solutions
Technical training for professional qualification
Development of technological products and services
Promotion
Infrastructure and events
Business training
Consultancies
Technological testing
12 Innovation Centers
For over 50 years, Grupo Splice has been driving sustainable growth in Brazil, shaping the future across Education, Real Estate, Infrastructure, and Technology. Splice Smart Solutions takes this vision further, delivering cutting-edge solutions for Smart Cities, always aligned with the UN’s 2030 Agenda. Fueled by innovation and social impact, we turn challenges into opportunities for a smarter, more sustainable future.
Albertina, a city of the future
Albertina is a vibrant town in southern Minas Gerais, known for its strong sense of community, sustainable growth, and entrepreneurial spirit. With a population of around 3,000 people, it strikes the perfect balance between quality of life and business opportunities, standing out in agriculture, commerce, and innovation. A place where tradition meets progress, Albertina proves that small towns can make a big impact.
