The University of São Paulo is the largest higher education and research institution in Brazil. It has outstanding projection around the world, especially in Latin America, and develops a large number of Brazilian masters and doctors who work in higher education and research institutes. It is a public and free university, with open access for students selected by the 'vestibular' (Brazilian entrance exam for universities). Many of these students, after graduation, hold strategic and leading functions in different segments of public and private industries.