On 20 October, NOVA University Lisbon received a report from the Inspectorate-General for Education and Science (IGEC), resulting from an anonymous complaint, regarding the existence of 31 lecturers from the Faculty of Science and Technology (NOVA FCT) who, between 2020 and 2024, accumulated salaries with remuneration arising from their work at UNINOVA – Institute for the Development of New Technologies, a private non-profit association based on the NOVA FCT campus in Almada and owned by NOVA University Lisbon.
This remuneration was associated with scientific research projects funded by international agencies and organisations.
The report concludes that, at least between 2020 and 2024, there were payments made directly by UNINOVA to NOVA FCT lecturers, which, according to IGEC, may violate the legal regime of exclusivity and the Regulations of NOVA University Lisbon, which stipulate that all additional remuneration arising from research projects must be processed by the institution to which the lecturer is affiliated, and not by external entities.
Although a collaboration protocol between UNINOVA and FCT has been in place since 2006, which served as the basis for financing the activities in question, IGEC considers that this framework does not invalidate the application of the exclusivity regime for teachers, reaffirming that any additional remuneration must be previously authorised and processed through the University.
The document, which has already been sent to the Court of Auditors and the Director of NOVA FCT, received the utmost attention from the Rector’s Office.
As soon as he became aware of its conclusions, Rector Paulo Pereira, who took office on 7 October, ordered the immediate adoption of the following measures:
- Temporary freeze on all requests for accumulation of functions until clarification of the applicable legal framework and review of internal procedures;
- Creation of the Institutional Integrity and Compliance Office, with the aim of strengthening mechanisms for the prevention and control of conflicts of interest;
He also ordered an audit of the associated companies that are outside the University’s perimeter, to investigate any situations that may constitute a breach of the law or the University’s internal regulations.
Within the scope of its autonomy enshrined in law, NOVA is analysing the conclusions and recommendations of the IGEC and will always act to ensure compliance with the law and to ensure that all organisational units comply with the university’s internal regulations.
NOVA University Lisbon reaffirms its commitment to transparency, integrity and rigour in the management of the university, ensuring that all situations identified will be analysed and dealt with in the most responsible manner.