In 1991, after many struggles, this great desire became reality, estadualizando up the Federation. On 5 December 1991, the then State Governor incorporated FESPI, private school, the frame Public Schools 3rd degree of Bahia, by Law 6344 of 06/12/91. The State University of Santa Cruz - UESC was founded in 1991, merging a variety of academic institutions located in the twin cities of Ilhéus and Itabuna. The university offers 30 undergraduation courses such as medicine, law, letters and sciences, and 13 graduate programs. It is a leading institution of higher education in south of Bahia.