Internationalizing the extension and extending the internationalization: a case study of the 3rd and 4th missions of the university

Abstract This article analyzes partial results of an outreach project offered by a higher education institution in southeastern Brazil that aimed to internationalize the outreach mission and extend the internationalization mission of the university through the support to small and medium-sized companies, thus focusing on the 3rd (outreach) and 4th (internationalization) missions of the university. To this end, a study was carried out in a small coffee-producing company participating in the project. The methodological approach adopted was that of a case study used to analyze the data collected through observations made during technical visits that involved capacity building and conversations with the owners and employees, in addition to a questionnaire answered by the company manager. The results of the study analysis highlighted the relevance of the university’s third and fourth missions through this project and its contribution to society. The study concludes with the suggestion of integrating the outreach and internationalization missions in projects like the one described here to bring the university closer to the community, fostering human, social, and economic development of society at its various levels, local, national, and global.