The Federal University of Ouro Preto (Portuguese: Universidade Federal de Ouro Preto, UFOP) was established on August 21, 1969 in Ouro Preto, Minas Gerais. It resulted from the merger of two century-old higher education institutions: the School of Pharmacy of Ouro Preto, founded in 1839, and the School of Mines of Ouro Preto, founded in 1876. Today is one of the most important universities of Minas Gerais and also Brazil. The university is taken as a reference throughout the country by the School of Pharmacy and Engineering.