The Autonomous University was created by the Cooperativa de Ensino Universitário (CEU) on December 13, 1985, which is responsible for the economic and financial management of the University, as a center for the creation, transmission, criticism and dissemination of culture, science and technology.

It is today a flexible structure, which makes it possible to rationalize, at each moment, the structure
organizational structure, with a view to achieving harmony between the various academic bodies.

CEU's Governing Bodies are the Board of Directors, the General Assembly and the
Supervisory Board, whose members are elected for four-year terms.