The University of Vale do Paraíba – Univap, recognized by the Ministry of Education (MEC) in 1992, is a non-profit community institution dedicated to education, research, and extension. Univap’s history began in 1954 with the establishment of the Vale do Paraíba Law School.

Over time, other faculties were created in response to regional needs, especially in São José dos Campos, a city that experienced rapid growth with the arrival of numerous industries. Today, the University offers more than 30 undergraduate programs across various fields of knowledge, organized under the Faculties of Law, Health Sciences, Engineering, Architecture and Urbanism, Education and Arts, Applied Social Sciences, and Communication. As a university, it also provides Continuing Education and Graduate Studies (Stricto Sensu), with four Master's and three Doctoral programs.