SUPERNOVA: academic excellence without borders

1 de August, 2025

There are moments that change everything. For many young people around the world, the SUPERNOVA Foundation Programme is that turning point: a unique opportunity to discover new paths, gain confidence and start designing their academic future with ambition and purpose.

Inspired by the cosmic phenomenon that transforms the universe around it, NOVA University Lisbon’s pre-university programme offers international students a transformative experience and solid preparation for higher education in Europe. Spanning two semesters (spring and fall), it combines academic excellence, career guidance and intercultural experience.

Since 2023, SUPERNOVA has opened doors to direct admission at NOVA and partner universities upon meeting the progression criteria. Students who successfully complete the programme can apply for their first year of studies at institutions such as Ca’ Foscari University (Venice), CY Cergy Paris Université, Lancaster University (UK), the University of Algarve or NOVA’s new campus in Cairo.

And long live the summer!

As a complement to the annual academic programme, NOVA launched the SUPERNOVA Summer School in 2022: an intensive, immersive programme for students wishing to experience the European university environment over a shorter period.

The most recent edition took place from 6th to 19th July 2025 in Lisbon and brought together thirteen students from seven different countries. During this time, they visited seven NOVA schools — ITQB NOVA, NOVA Medical School, ENSP NOVA, Nova SBE, IHMT NOVA, NOVA FCT and NOVA School of Law — gaining first-hand experience of the university’s academic diversity and reflecting on their own interests and aspirations.

However, SUPERNOVA’s Summer School extends beyond the classroom. Based at the Livensa Living – University City residence, participants shared cultural experiences and took part in activities such as surfing and paintballing.

Applications are open!

Now that the summer edition has concluded, the SUPERNOVA team is preparing for the next stages: the Fall Semester 2025, which is about to begin, and the spring 2026 semester, for which applications are open until 31 October.

With a flexible duration of between six months and one year, and courses taught in Portuguese and/or English by NOVA professors, the programme attracts students from an increasingly diverse range of countries (PALOP, Brazil, the USA, Russia, Morocco, Tunisia, Bangladesh and the United Kingdom), confirming with each new edition that academic excellence knows no borders.

NOVA Startup Competition 2025: GeoCura shines again and will represent the university at STAGE Two

1 de August, 2025

The Rectorate of NOVA University Lisbon celebrated innovation once again this Wednesday, the 30th, by hosting the final of the NOVA Startup Competition 2025, an initiative that brought together nine finalist startups in an environment marked by innovation and a competitive spirit.

In total, 20 applications were submitted, demonstrating the growing dynamism of NOVA’s entrepreneurial ecosystem. The overall winner was GeoCura, comprised of Huseyin Cetinkaya, Mavis Olorunyomi, Fabiola Dodaj, and Shah Saud. The team had already won an award this year at ImpACT! Challenges and once again stood out for its innovative proposal and the potential impact of its project.

The competition’s jury was comprised of three leading experts in the innovation and investment sector: Inês de Macedo Santos (Armilar Venture Partners), Pedro Telhado (Olisipo Way), and Sofia Jacob Soares (Lisboa Innovation). They evaluated the projects based on criteria such as feasibility, degree of innovation, and growth potential.

With this distinction, GeoCura secured access to the STAGE Two program, with travel and accommodation expenses covered. This represents a unique opportunity for international recognition and investment from venture capital funds.

Scientist Back to School: The program that inspires children across the country is now accepting applications for the next school year

30 de July, 2025

Five years on, scientists from a variety of research fields have once again accepted the challenge of inspiring future generations by spending a day at their former schools and sharing their passion for science with current pupils. As part of the ‘Scientist Returns to School’ programme, promoted by Native Scientists, creative and interactive workshops have been held for primary school children across the country. These workshops demonstrate that a passion for science can develop anywhere — even in the classroom where children learn to read and write.

Conceived by Joana Bordalo, a former student of NOVA FCSH and NOVA Impact’s Starters Academy, the initiative has attracted participants and schools from across the country, with significant involvement from NOVA’s research scientists.

This school year alone, participants included Lucas Sousa (Nova SBE), who visited his former school in Albufeira; António Granado (NOVA FCSH), who returned to his old school in Fundão; Inês Gomes (NOVA Medical School), who went back to her old school in Sintra; and Tiago Faria (NOVA FCSH), who visited his old school in Fafe. ; Ana Carolina Buga, a doctoral student at ITQB NOVA, who brought science to Sintra; Ana Raquel Barbosa (NOVA Medical School), who led a session in Ponta Delgada in the Azores; Filipa da Silva Lopes (NOVA FCSH), who debuted in Bagunte in Vila do Conde; and Raquel Viveiros (NOVA FCT), who brought science to Braga.

Since 2022, more than 160 researchers have participated, including those from beyond NOVA!

Call for applications for 2025/26

The Native Scientists team is currently preparing for the next academic year and has already opened applications for 2025/2026. Scientists and students who have attended public primary school in Portugal are eligible to apply, regardless of their field of study. Additionally, the program offers science communication training for children, support in designing workshops, and coverage of travel and materials expenses.

This time, and in the interest of being as inclusive as possible, we are particularly interested in participants who have studied in the following locations: Azores, Alentejo, and Algarve (all municipalities), Cartaxo, Freixo de Espada à Cinta, Idanha-a-Nova, Lagoa (Algarve), Mesão Frio, Murça, Pampilhosa da Serra, Peso da Régua, Ribeira de Pena, Sabrosa, and Vila Nova de Foz Côa.

Registration is simple and can be completed through the program’s official website. Participation is subject to school availability and funding raised; therefore, registration does not automatically guarantee the workshop.

NOVA IMS and the Municipality of Oeiras launch Ocean Innovation Lab at Expo Osaka 2025

Diretor da NOVA IMS, Professor Miguel de Castro Neto durante a apresentação oficial do NOVA Oeiras Ocean Analytics Lab, um laboratório de investigação e inovação que visa aplicar Ciência de Dados e Inteligência Artificial (IA) à gestão sustentável dos oceanos.

28 de July, 2025

Using the latest developments in data science and artificial intelligence, the NOVA Oeiras Ocean Analytics Lab puts Portugal at the forefront of analytics applied to the blue economy and ocean sustainability. This directly contributes to Sustainable Development Goal 14: Life Below Water.

The Portuguese Pavilion at Expo Osaka 2025, whose motto is ‘The Ocean as a Global Dialogue’, hosted the official launch of the NOVA Oeiras Ocean Analytics Lab on Sunday 27th. This research and innovation laboratory aims to apply data science and artificial intelligence to sustainable ocean management.

This initiative is the result of a partnership between NOVA Information Management School (NOVA IMS) and the Municipality of Oeiras within the scope of the Oeiras Mar 2030 programme. It already has the support of the Ocean Forum, the Port of Lisbon Administration and the Infante D. Henrique Higher Nautical School, and is currently expanding to include other national and international entities.

Based at NOVA IMS — the only higher education institution in Portugal dedicated solely to data science and AI — the laboratory is provided with scientific coordination and its mission is to develop advanced technological solutions to address critical challenges in the maritime domain, including:

– Environmental monitoring: conservation and health of ecosystems;
– Digital twins of the ocean: modelling and scenario simulation;
– Predictive risk analysis: safety in navigation and on beaches;
– Smart ports: logistics and operational optimisation;
– Sustainable fishing: monitoring and management of marine resources;
– Combating illegal activities: the detection and prevention of maritime crimes.

The laboratory also aims to foster collaboration between academia, government and industry, particularly with regard to training qualified talent, bringing academia and industry closer together, and promoting applied research.

Signing this protocol in Osaka, at an Expo dedicated to building the society of the future, is deeply symbolic. Portugal now has its first data analytics laboratory for the oceans, uniting data science, AI, and ocean sustainability. The NOVA Oeiras Ocean Analytics Lab embodies our commitment to transforming data into knowledge with global impact and providing practical solutions to today’s major challenges,” says Miguel de Castro Neto, Director of NOVA IMS.

The Mayor of Oeiras, Isaltino Morais, says that this initiative “is further proof of the Municipality’s strategy to establish the region as a centre of innovation and excellence”.

‘It had to be a project bearing the stamp of the Oeiras Valley because our goal is to be at the forefront of major technological and scientific projects, promoting innovation and sustainability,’ the mayor emphasised.

This initiative reinforces Portugal’s position at the forefront of ocean innovation, promoting sustainable solutions with global relevance.

NOVA at Expo Osaka 2025: strengthening strategic partnerships with Asian universities

26 de July, 2025

NOVA University Lisbon took part in Expo 2025 Osaka with a strong focus on international cooperation and the promotion of academic excellence. At the Portuguese Pavilion, the Memorandum of Understanding with Nagasaki University was renewed, reinforcing a partnership centred on the fields of History and Art History, as well as Global Health and Tropical Medicine. “This collaboration is not only about shared knowledge—it is about building bridges between cultures and turning research into real-world impact,” said the Rector of NOVA, João Sàágua, during the ceremony. The partnership involves NOVA’s School of Social Sciences and Humanities (NOVA FCSH) and the Institute of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine (IHMT NOVA), and aims to deepen joint research, academic mobility, and cultural initiatives between Portugal and Japan.

NOVA also formalised a new agreement with Tokyo University of Foreign Studies, consolidating an existing relationship through student exchange programmes and Erasmus+ cooperation. The new Memorandum of Understanding expands the scope of collaboration to include cultural and literary studies, with a particular focus on the historical interactions between the two countries. The initiative foresees student and staff mobility, the organisation of joint workshops, and collaborative research projects, further strengthening academic and cultural ties between Portugal and Japan.

At Osaka University, a new agreement was signed, marking the beginning of a more dynamic phase in the partnership between the two institutions. Following mutual institutional visits, NOVA and Osaka University committed to developing projects in the areas of Portuguese cultural studies, life sciences, and data science. NOVA expressed its enthusiasm for working with the university’s new leadership, highlighting the importance of an active, dynamic, and impactful collaboration that promotes academic exchange, joint events, and applied research.

As part of its visit to Asia, NOVA will also take part this Sunday in the inauguration of the Sino-European Institute of Artificial Intelligence in Medicine (SEAM), at Nanjing University of Information, Science and Technology, in China. This new research facility results from a partnership between LIBPhys-NOVA and IMIC and aims to drive innovation in artificial intelligence applied to medicine.

Also on Sunday, at the Osaka Expo, NOVA IMS and the Municipality of Oeiras officially launched an ocean innovation laboratory.: NOVA Oeiras Ocean Analytics Lab.

NOVA University Lisbon officially launches its participation in Expo 2025 in Osaka.

26 de July, 2025

This Saturday, 26 July, NOVA University Lisbon marks the official start of its participation in the World Expo 2025 in Osaka, Japan – a significant milestone in affirming its international presence.

The opening ceremony took place this morning and was attended by the Rector of NOVA, João Sàágua, Vice-Rector João Amaro de Matos, and Pro-Rector José Branco. The occasion was highlighted by the signing of a cooperation agreement with the Tokyo University of Foreign Studies (TUFS), further strengthening ties between Portugal and Japan.

As the Rector emphasised, “this moment symbolises a new chapter in Portuguese-Japanese academic cooperation, paving the way for research networks, student exchanges, and joint projects that will benefit the entire academic community.”

Also present at the ceremony were the Portuguese Ambassador to Japan, Gilberto Jerónimo, the Commissioner-General for Portugal’s participation in Expo 2025 Osaka, Joana Gomes Cardoso, and the Director of the Portugal Pavilion, Bernardo Amaral.

Through this participation, NOVA reaffirms its role as a global and civic university, committed to knowledge, innovation, and the future.

Follow NOVA and Portugal on this journey into the future!
More information at expo2025.unl.pt

NOVA student-athletes shine at the 2025 World University Games

25 de July, 2025

NOVA University Lisbon returned to the World University Games in 2025, with four of its student-athletes representing Portugal in various sports. Their performances filled the academic community with pride, including an historic medal win in university tennis.

Pedro Araújo won bronze in mixed doubles tennis

Pedro Araújo, a Business Administration student at Nova SBE, was the standout performer among the NOVA delegation. As a member of the National University Tennis Team (SNU), he placed 17th in both men’s singles and doubles. However, it was in the mixed doubles event, alongside Maria Garcia of Auburn University in the USA, that he won the bronze medal — only the third in the history of Portuguese university tennis, following Nuno Borges’s achievement in 2017.

Clara Judas Paiva delivered a promising performance in rhythmic gymnastics

The 19-year-old bachelor’s degree in Agroindustrial Technology student at NOVA FCT participated in the individual all-around event, finishing 40th out of 49 athletes. Her best result was 34th in the ribbon event, demonstrating her great potential for future international competitions.

Rafaela Gomes Azevedo competed in the swimming semifinals

A master’s student in Medicine at NOVA Medical School, Rafaela competed in the 100-metre and 50-metre backstroke events. She achieved her best result in the latter, reaching the semifinals and finishing 10th out of 33 swimmers — a high-level performance in a demanding competition.

Filipe Almeida contributed to the team’s artistic gymnastics results

Undergraduate student on the Business Administration programme at Nova SBE, Filipe Almeida performed well in artistic gymnastics. His individual results included 49^(th) place on the horizontal bar, 60^(th) on the parallel bars, 19^(th) on the vault, 49^(th) on the rings and 53^(rd) on the floor. His performance helped Portugal achieve 16th place in the team standings.

These appearances bring the total number of NOVA students who have competed in the World University Games to 35, which further reinforces the university’s commitment to academic and athletic excellence.

More information here!

EUTOPIA Doctoral Summer School 2025: Sustainability and Innovation in an International Context

grupo de participantes na edição de 2025 na escadaria no exterior da reitoria da Universidade

24 de July, 2025

Imagine a week dedicated to international collaboration, critical reflection, and the development of solutions to global challenges — all within an inspiring and unconventional environment. This was the spirit of the 3rd edition of the EUTOPIA Doctoral Summer School, organised by the NOVA Doctoral School of NOVA University Lisbon, which took place from 18 to 22 July 2025, with sustainability as its central theme.

The initiative brought together 27 doctoral students from 14 universities, representing 15 nationalities and 27 research programmes. The aim was to bring together different fields of knowledge to collectively reflect on current scientific challenges and develop solutions as a team.

Paradise, just around the corner!

The programme began, just like in previous editions, with four residential days at the Convento da Arrábida, a site of great historical and natural value, which inspired group project development, working sessions and debates, all within a co-creation dynamic — a format widely praised by the students, who highlighted the setting as a key element of the experience.

The final day took place at the Rectorate of NOVA, where the groups publicly presented their final projects. The session was attended by Vice-Rector João Amaro de Matos, responsible for Education and International Development, who awarded the participation certificates.

On the road to Brussels

The highlight of this last session was the announcement of the winning project: “CertifAI – Sustainable LLMs in Healthcare”, an innovative proposal applying state-of-the-art language models (LLMs) to the healthcare sector.

The project explores the potential of artificial intelligence to interpret, understand and generate text that meets sustainability goals while improving the quality of care provided.

The team, composed of students from Vilnius Tech, Göteborgs Universitet, Universitat Pompeu Fabra, NOVA IMS and NMS, secured a place at the upcoming edition of the Responsible Internationalisation Summit, an event focused on promoting ethical, sustainable and socially responsible internationalisation practices in higher education, to be held in Brussels.

Celebrating diversity

This edition also stood out for its institutional and geographical diversity, with participants from eight academic units of NOVA, four partner universities of the EUTOPIA Alliance, one European university outside the network, and one Brazilian university.

The programme was further enriched by contributions from distinguished speakers:

Antonio Luna García (Universitat Pompeu Fabra), who discussed success and failure cases in urban sustainability;
Karen François (Vrije Universiteit Brussel), who reflected on the challenges of interdisciplinarity and the use of artificial intelligence in doctoral research;
Júlia Seixas, NOVA’s Pro-Rector for Sustainability, who offered a broad perspective on the topic;
António Granado (NOVA FCSH), who explored effective strategies for science communication.

Organised by Professors Paula Macedo (ENSP-NOVA), Iva Miranda Pires (NOVA FCSH) and Kevin Gallagher (FCT NOVA), the Summer School also benefited from the guidance of three mentors: Ana Nuno, Luísa Santos and Tomás Pinheiro.

NOVA and the Royal Academy of Science International Trust have signed a collaboration agreement

23 de July, 2025

NOVA University Lisbon and the Royal Academy of Science International Trust (RASIT) signed, on Tuesday 22nd, a general cooperation agreement, reinforcing their shared commitment to science, education, and sustainable development.

The signing ceremony was attended by NOVA’s Rector, João Sàágua, and Her Highness Princess Nisreen El-Hashemite, Executive Director of RASIT, laying the groundwork for future collaborative initiatives between the two institutions.

RASIT is an international non-governmental organisation with consultative status at the United Nations, dedicated to promoting science, education, culture, equity, social justice, and sustainable development. It is particularly recognised for supporting the empowerment of women in academia and research, and for the global initiative Science In Braille, which fosters the inclusion of blind and visually impaired individuals in STEMM fields through equitable and sustainable programmes.

Founder of the Women in Science International League and driving force behind the UN resolution establishing the International Day of Women and Girls in Science (celebrated on 11 February), Princess Nisreen El-Hashemite is an internationally acclaimed scientist and activist, with a background in human genetics and academic experience at institutions such as University College London and Harvard Medical School.

The newly signed agreement aims to promote synergies in areas such as entrepreneurship, peace through culture, and the empowerment of vulnerable groups, further aligning NOVA’s mission with the Sustainable Development Goals.

NOVA approves commitment to net-zero target by 2040

22 de July, 2025

NOVA University Lisbon has officially approved its commitment to achieving net-zero emissions by 2040. In practice, this commitment involves making decisions, taking action and arranging financing to reduce greenhouse gas emissions (scopes 1 and 2), so that by 2040 at the latest, NOVA will no longer contribute to the increase in atmospheric emissions. This decision follows two years of collaborative work between NOVA’s various schools, the Rector’s Office and Social Action Services, and has been co-financed by the Environmental Fund.

This decision comes at a time when the impacts of climate change are becoming increasingly evident, and the associated costs are rising. NOVA recognises the essential role of universities in the transition to a carbon-neutral economy, whether through the scientific research it promotes, its teaching and training activities, or above all, the example it sets for its community and society.

The newly adopted commitment establishes concrete targets for 2030 and 2040 to reduce greenhouse gases, based on the Science-Based Targets initiative’s (SBTi) best practices. One of the main mechanisms developed is the InNOVA system, which enables the institution’s emissions to be monitored annually.

Priorities include establishing a team dedicated to NOVA’s energy transition, with the aim of eliminating the use of fossil fuels, maximising the potential for generating its own electricity (with a particular focus on solar energy) and exploring financing models and options for purchasing zero-emission electricity. Measures are underway to incorporate environmental criteria, including CO₂ emissions, into public procurement procedures, as well as to encourage more sustainable commuting and community service options.

InNOVA: NOVA’s new tool for evidence-based sustainability

21 de July, 2025

NOVA University Lisbon introduces InNOVA, the Environmental and Sustainability Information System, developed under the NOVA Route Zero project. This digital platform consolidates, in a structured way, a set of environmental and sustainability indicators across the university.

Currently, InNOVA is responsible for producing the annual greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions inventories for Universidade NOVA, as well as disaggregated data for its organisational units. The implementation process involved active collaboration from NOVA’s nine Schools, the Welfare Services, and several Rectorate divisions. In the medium term, the system is expected to expand to include additional environmental indicators.

The platform offers two levels of access: one for the general public, providing access to the latest inventory data and the methodology used; and another for the NOVA community, granting access to disaggregated data by School, emission types, indicators, emission factors, and supporting files.

With this initiative, NOVA strengthens its commitment to sustainability, ensuring the annual monitoring of its carbon footprint and enabling more informed decision-making.

Find out more at the platform website

Pedagogical Innovation Award 2025: Applications open until 26 September

18 de July, 2025

The NOVA Pedagogical Innovation Award is back – celebrating and recognising transformative, creative teaching practices that make a real impact on learning. Created with the mission of promoting excellence in teaching across all study cycles, the award now enters its fourth edition, continuing to value pedagogical approaches that challenge convention and inspire the academic community.

Previous editions have highlighted projects that reimagined the way we teach and learn from participatory models in science education, to the creation of mock trials as a method of assessment in undergraduate courses, and the use of flipped classroom methodology to make bioenergy teaching more engaging and effective.

This year, applications are open until 26 September and are open to career-track teaching staff and researchers at NOVA University Lisbon, as set out in the Award Regulations.

The evaluation criteria include, among others, the relevance and originality of the practices implemented (compared to conventional approaches), as well as teaching excellence, considering the impact and reach of the pedagogical practices.

Application Procedure

Applications must be submitted electronically to nova.inov.ped@unl.pt.

Required documentation:

(a) A completed application form, including a justification for the application, and supporting documents demonstrating the information provided in Article 3(3) (items a and b) and the evidence required in Article 5(2).
(b) A declaration of consent from the proposed professor(s) or researcher(s), which can be downloaded via the link in the announcement;
(c) A simplified CV of the candidate(s);
(d) The email address of the person responsible for the application, to which appropriate electronic notifications will be sent.

For more information, please consult the Pedagogical Innovation Award Regulations.

NOVA FCSH: Professor Alexandra Curvelo takes office as Head of the Faculty

Diretora da Faculdade de Ciências Sociais e Humanas da Universidade NOVA de Lisboa, Alexandra Curvelo, na tomada de posse.

17 de July, 2025

“The inauguration of a new director is always a festive and expectant moment, and it is with particular satisfaction that we witness the renewal of leadership”, said João Sàágua, Rector of NOVA University Lisbon. Congratulating the newly appointed director, he highlighted the symbolic milestone of her becoming the first woman to lead the institution, and expressed hope that, “with everyone’s commitment, she will be able to take the school to a new level of excellence.”

Elected on 24 June, Alexandra Curvelo is now beginning a four-year term (2025–2029) during which she will prioritise strengthening the connection between teaching and research, promoting critical thinking and implementing a governance model guided by transparency and ongoing dialogue with the entire NOVA FCSH academic community.

At the ceremony held on Thursday, the 17th, at the Avenida de Berna campus, she emphasised, “We will do everything we can to ensure that NOVA FCSH becomes an even more socially committed and responsible faculty, with a national and international strategy, attentive to the debates and divisive issues of our times, inclusive and proactive.”

This was also the occasion when she presented her team: José Viegas Neves (Planning and Infrastructure), Carla Baptista (Culture), Helena Serra (Teaching and Students), Sónia de Almeida (Research), Madalena Resende (Internationalisation), Ricardo Campos (Communication and Society), and Leonor Medeiros (Curriculum Management).

A Full Professor in the Department of Art History, Alexandra Curvelo is a researcher at the Institute of Art History (IHA), which she directed from 2023 to 2025. Her research focuses on museology and modern art history, particularly the Portuguese presence in Asia, especially Japan.

NOVA student-athletes at the World University Games

16 de July, 2025

Taking place in Germany until 27th July, the event is led by Olympic runner-up Patrícia Mamona and boasts the largest ever contingent of Portuguese participants.

A total of 82 Portuguese student-athletes are participating in the World University Games, which began on Wednesday, 16th July, in Rhine-Ruhr, Germany.

Four students from NOVA University Lisbon are among them:

Filipe Almeida is an undergraduate student on the Administration programme at Nova SBE and an artistic gymnast.

Clara Judas Paiva, an Agroindustrial Technology student at NOVA FCT, will represent Portugal in rhythmic gymnastics.

Pedro Vasconcelos Araújo, a Management student at Nova SBE, is competing in tennis.

Rafaela Gomes Azevedo is also a Master’s student in Medicine at NOVA Medical School, in swimming.

“As the head of the mission, I want to apply some pressure, but as an athlete, I want to alleviate that same pressure, which is not good for athletes. The only thing I ask of them is to do their best,” said Patrícia Mamona, who was a NOVA student before going to the USA, emphasising that “expectations are quite high.”

Following their historic participation in Chengdu, China, in 2023, where Portugal won seven medals, the Portuguese delegation is seeking to repeat or surpass that achievement in Germany.

Composed of 125 members, including athletes, coaches, officials and medical staff, the Portuguese delegation will be distributed across six host cities: Bochum, Duisburg, Essen, Mülheim, Berlin and Hagen. Competitions are planned in 18 sports, with approximately 8,500 participants from over 150 countries.

Portugal will compete in individual events like athletics, artistic and rhythmic gymnastics, judo, swimming, taekwondo, tennis, table tennis, and archery. They will also participate in team events such as women’s basketball and men’s volleyball. In the group stage, the women’s basketball team will play against Chile, China, and Romania, while the men’s volleyball team will face Chinese Taipei, Brazil, and Australia.

Demo Day NOVA impACT! Challenges: Meet the winning teams with ideas aiming to change the world

vencedores do impact challenges 2025. grupo vencedor com o diploma no auditório da reitoria

15 de July, 2025

The future, or at least a glimpse of it, made its way through the Rectorate of NOVA this Monday, the 14th, during the Demo Day of NOVA impACT! Challenges. This initiative, led by the NOVA Impact Office, supports innovative projects aligned with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), the set of 17 global targets designed to ensure a fairer and more sustainable future to all by 2030.

After three weeks of workshops, mentoring and prototype development, 10 finalist teams pitched their solutions to a jury composed of Hélder Lopes (NOVA), Manuel Gaspar (Casa do Impacto) and Inês Petrucci (3xP Global).

Among the standout projects was GeoCura, a team of four Erasmus Mundus students from NOVA FCT — Huseyin Cetinkaya, Mavis Olorunyomi, Fabiola Dodaj and Shah Saud — who secured first place with a proposal combining environmental impact and social relevance.

GeoCura developed a self-healing concrete capable of autonomously repairing cracks and structural damage over time. Designed for the construction sector, this solution aims to reduce CO₂ emissions linked to cement production and maintenance, cut repair costs, and extend the lifespan of infrastructure.

Targeting a market valued at €14 billion, GeoCura contributes to SDG 9 (Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure), SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities) and SDG 13 (Climate Action), promoting more resilient and eco-friendly construction.

The project was awarded € 2,000 to support its development and was mentored by Professor Fernanda Lussá. It also received technical support from Luís Baltazar, an associate professor in the Department of Civil Engineering. His contribution was particularly crucial in granting access to the NOVA FCT Civil Engineering Department’s laboratory facilities and ensuring technical and scientific monitoring throughout the project’s development.

The jury also awarded an honourable mention to the team EcoSeal, composed of Afonso Mendes (NOVA FCT), Selina Hartmann and Paula Reimold (Nova SBE), who presented a DIY Energy Saving Kit designed to help households identify and address energy inefficiencies.

Available for free two-week loans through community partnerships, the kit includes tools and educational materials that enable users to monitor energy use, reduce waste, improve thermal comfort, and lower energy bills.

Guided by mentor Rafael Rodrigues, the project encourages sustainable habits and energy literacy, contributing to SDG 7 (Affordable and Clean Energy), SDG 11, SDG 12 (Responsible Consumption and Production) and SDG 13.

In total, 33 students took part, organised into 10 multidisciplinary teams, and over the course of three weeks benefited from specialised training, dedicated mentoring, and an initial grant of €500 to support prototype development.

Demo Day NOVA impACT! Challenges 2025 10

Demo Day NOVA impACT! Challenges 2025 11

Demo Day NOVA impACT! Challenges 2025 12

Demo Day NOVA impACT! Challenges 2025 13

Demo Day NOVA impACT! Challenges 2025 14

Application process for the position of Rector of NOVA

15 de July, 2025

On 24 June, NOVA University Lisbon was notified of a lawsuit and a precautionary measure relating to the rejection of a rectorial candidacy due to failure to meet statutory requirements. Following notification of the precautionary measure, the rectorial election process was suspended.

On 30 June, the university filed a reasoned resolution and opposition to the precautionary measure, as well as a response to the lawsuit.

According to doctoral and case law, submitting a reasoned resolution has the effect of lifting the suspension imposed by the precautionary measure, allowing the electoral process to resume before a final court decision is reached.

The Electoral Commission proceeded with the process and the General Council approved a new electoral calendar setting 16 September 2025 as the election date.

More information

Applications accepted

NOVA University Lisbon announces the opening of the application process for the position of Rector, which will take place between 1 April and 2 May 2025.

Call: Electoral Commission meeting

For more information, please see:

SUPERNOVA Spring 2026: Applications open until 31 October!

grupo de estudantes de uma edição anterior do SUPERNOVA, junto ao edificio da NOVA IMS, no campus de campolide

14 de July, 2025

As it prepares to welcome students for the Fall Semester of 2025 in September, the SUPERNOVA Foundation Program team announces that applications are now open for the February edition and will be accepted until 31 October.

SUPERNOVA is a unique programme in Portugal, designed to support international students in their transition to European higher education. It provides a solid academic and linguistic foundation, with courses taught in Portuguese and/or English by various NOVA University Lisbon schools. The programme can be completed in six months to a year.

Beyond academic preparation, SUPERNOVA opens doors to higher education: students who successfully complete the programme can apply to NOVA and its partner universities, including Ca’ Foscari (Venice), CY Cergy (Paris), Lancaster University (UK), the University of Algarve and NOVA’s new campus in Cairo.

The most recent edition (Spring Semester) had 87 students from 31 different countries, with participants from Iran, the USA, China, Russia and Angola particularly well represented – reflecting the programme’s diversity and global reach.

Find out more about the programme on the brand-new SUPERNOVA website

Application form available here!

The European Research Council has granted funding to a project that will study the impact of algorithms on political information during election periods

14 de July, 2025

The European Research Council (ERC) has awarded a prestigious Proof of Concept (PoC) grant to Joana Gonçalves-Sá, a researcher at NOVA LINCS, the research centre of NOVA School of Science and Technology, NOVA University Lisbon, and at LIP (Laboratory for Instrumentation and Experimental Particle Physics), to lead the FARE_DSA project – A Framework for Auditing Recommendation Engines under the DSA.

FARE_DSA will develop and test an innovative methodology for auditing algorithmic platforms that play a growing role in how citizens access information online – in particular, search engines and large language models (LLMs). This will be the first project to offer a concrete and policy-aligned tool for implementing Article 40 of the European Union’s Digital Services Act, which grants accredited researchers access to non-public platform data in order to assess systemic risks to the EU, such as electoral interference or political manipulation.

“Platforms like Google or ChatGPT have become key gateways to information,” says Joana Gonçalves-Sá. “But we are far from understanding how their algorithms influence public opinion. During the 2024 European Parliament elections, we observed that both search engines and LLMs systematically displayed content biased towards one side of the political spectrum. With this project, we aim to test whether such bias is widespread and, if so, why. This can only be done in collaboration with both regulators and platforms themselves, to identify causes and examine implications.”

Research into algorithmic transfer

The project builds on previous ERC-funded research, notably the ERC Starting Grant project FARE – Fake News and Real People (launched in 2020 with €1.5 million), and the PoC grant FARE_Audit, which enabled the development of customisable “online robots” (or webcrawlers) capable of mimicking human behaviour and simulating different characteristics (e.g. country, age, gender). These bots interact with search engines and LLMs to gather data on how platforms respond to user queries. Analyses from this approach show that minor variations in browsing history or user profile can lead to significantly different – and sometimes biased – results. FARE_DSA will deepen this methodology with access to real platform data under the DSA, offering new insights into how personalisation and monetisation may distort access to information, particularly during critical periods such as elections.

“Our team has spent years developing ethical, privacy-preserving tools to audit algorithmic systems without collecting personal data,” adds Joana Gonçalves-Sá. “But to truly understand what happens behind the scenes – for example, how online search results are ranked, or why certain links appear first – we need access to non-public data. Article 40 enables just that. It’s a unique moment for research into algorithmic transparency. This funding will help us open that door – and, we hope, help others follow through.”

The project will also clarify what data is available, in what formats, and under what conditions it can be accessed via Article 40 – aiming to end a longstanding deadlock between algorithmic transparency researchers and online platforms. FARE_DSA will also generate public policy recommendations, organise training for academics and NGOs, and contribute to broader audits of Very Large Online Platforms and Search Engines (VLOPs and VLOSEs).

Although ERC Proof of Concept grants are often associated with commercial innovation, FARE_DSA demonstrates their potential as high-impact social innovation tools, bridging world-class science, digital transparency, and public policy implementation.

FARE_DSA has received €150,000 in funding and will be implemented over one year.

Biographical Note

Joana Gonçalves-Sá is a researcher at NOVA LINCS – NOVA School of Science and Technology, NOVA University Lisbon – and at LIP (Laboratory for Instrumentation and Experimental Particle Physics), where she leads the Social Physics and Complexity (SPAC) research group. Since 2025, she has also been External Faculty at the Complexity Science Hub in Vienna. She holds a degree in Engineering Physics from Instituto Superior Técnico – University of Lisbon, and a PhD in Systems Biology from NOVA ITQB, having completed her thesis at Harvard University (USA).

Between 2018 and 2020, she was Associate Professor at Nova School of Business and Economics and previously Principal Investigator at the Gulbenkian Institute of Science, where she led the Science for Society initiative and founded and directed the PhD programme PGCD – Science for Development, aimed at promoting scientific research in Africa.

She has received two ERC grants (StG_2019 and PoC_2022) to study human and algorithmic biases, using misinformation as a model system.

NOVA Showcased at Ciência 2025: ‘Without scientific research, there would be no transformative progress — the driving force behind so many economic and social changes.’

10 de July, 2025

‘Hosting this national meeting of Portuguese science at our institution is both a source of pride and a responsibility. Science, innovation and education are the foundations on which we build excellent universities and more just and sustainable societies that are better prepared for the challenges of the future,” said Isabel Rocha, NOVA’s Vice-Rector for Research and Value Creation, as she welcomed the Science 2025 event. Held at the Nova School of Business and Economics in Carcavelos, the event was dedicated to the theme of “Science, Innovation and Society”.

‘This theme invites deep reflection on the structuring role of science in the development of contemporary societies. Without science, there is no disruptive innovation, which is responsible for so many economic and societal transformations,’ she concluded, noting that ‘scientists have a duty to bring science to society and assist in the processes of informed choice and decision-making, including in politics.’

Organised by the Foundation for Science and Technology and Ciência Viva in collaboration with NOVA, the meeting brought together over 200 speakers and featured dozens of scientific sessions. It also saw a prominent presence from the European Commission, thus underscoring the central role Portugal continues to play in building the European Research Area.

The event began with a welcome address from Cascais City Councillor Alexandre Faria. Soon after, Vera Aldeias, a University of Algarve researcher and meeting curator, joined Nova SBE professor Pedro Pita Barros. ‘Portugal has been an example of innovation, resilience, and science,’ she said, adding that there is a need for ‘the courage to discuss the challenges we face in our country’.

Rosalia Vargas, president of the Ciência Viva Centres network, which has just launched another ‘Ciência Viva no Verão’ (Living Science in the Summer), emphasised the importance of the scientific community: ‘Without science, there is no future, so we must nurture these ideas.’

Madalena Alves, head of the Foundation for Science and Technology, then took to the stage to emphasise her unquestionable support for all research, whether it has immediate or future applications.

The opening session was closed by Helena Canhão, former director of NOVA Medical School and current Secretary of State for Science and Innovation. After announcing the review of legislation in this area, she emphasised: ‘It is of the utmost importance that, as a state, we contribute to a Europe that remains solid and supportive as a beacon of democracy and freedom in times of uncertainty.’

The proceedings began with an inspiring address by Nuno Prego Ramos, founder and CEO of Valvian — the new name for CellmAbs, a NOVA spin-off that brokered the agreement with BioNTech to license NOVA technology for cancer treatment.

Under the title ‘Portuguese Scientific Innovation in the International Sphere: From Research to Application’, the first guest speaker emphasised the importance of ambition in science and revealed how laboratory knowledge is converted into high-value solutions, as exemplified by what is considered the most successful Portuguese spin-off in the field of biotechnology and life sciences, which has achieved worldwide recognition.

Disruptive Innovation and Transdisciplinary Dialogues

Isabel Rocha also featured in two parallel sessions on the other days of the event. The first, “Deeptech – from Science to Deeptech Startups”, addressed the role of science-based emerging companies in creating radical innovation, with contributions from António Teixeira (PICadvanced) and Alexandra Santos (Alea Capital Partners). The second, “Transdisciplinary Dialogues in Times of Uncertainty”, featured Verónica Policarpo (ICS – University of Lisbon) and Carlos Santos Silva (LARSyS and IST – University of Lisbon), and reflected on the importance of collaboration across fields of knowledge in complex and uncertain contexts.

Throughout the three-day event, NOVA’s stand showcased a diverse selection of research projects developed across its academic units, demonstrating the breadth and impact of the university’s scientific work:

Intelligent Olfaction – NOVA FCT (Ana Cecília Roque, Carina Esteves, Susana Palma)
NOVA Cidade – NOVA IMS (Miguel de Castro Neto, Duarte Rodrigues)
Cultural Heritage 360º – NOVA FCT (Sara Sá, Kiara Ventura)
Medieval – NOVA FCSH (Carlos Filipe Alves)
Haddad – Nova SBE (Euclides Major)
COPE – ITQB NOVA (Carlos J. S. Moreira, Catarina Araújo)
ColorAmp – ITQB NOVA (Catarina Amaral, Catarina Pimentel)
NOVA Skin – NOVA Medical School (Duarte Barral, Inês Fonseca)
BLOODless – IHMT NOVA (Henrique Silveira, Joana Marques)
Social Prescribing Portugal – ENSP NOVA (Alan Assunção, Margarida Pereira)
Mosquito WEB – IHMT NOVA (Carla A. Sousa, Filipe Lopes, Teresa Novo)

Registration is now open for the third EUTOPIA Ideas Club session: “Asylum, Migration, Inclusion, and Solidarity Policies in the EU”. Sign up by 20 July.

9 de July, 2025

Call for NOVA students: The next Ideas Club will be held at the University of Ljubljana, one of NOVA’s EUTOPIA partners, on 9 and 10 October 2025. It will address the urgent issues of asylum, migration, inclusion and solidarity policies in the European Union.

This student-led programme aims to raise awareness of European values through knowledge of, and reflection on, local, regional and national identity differences. The event will be held in a hybrid format, comprising an online activity in September and two in-person days in Ljubljana.

The call aims to select three students from each of the following EUTOPIA Alliance partner universities: Universitat Pompeu Fabra (Spain); Universitatea Babeș-Bolyai (Romania); Vrije Universiteit Brussels (Belgium); Ca’ Foscari University of Venice (Italy); CY Cergy Université Paris (France); Technische Universität Dresden (Germany); Göteborgs Universitet (Sweden); NOVA University Lisbon (Portugal); and Univerza v Ljubljana (Slovenia). The University of Warwick (UK) and EUTOPIA’s global partners will also be able to select three students each.

Application requirements

We are looking for undergraduate (preferably) or master’s degree students from NOVA, from any discipline.
Please submit a CV accompanied by a cover letter in English containing a personal introduction and a critical reflection on contemporary social challenges.
The evaluation will focus on knowledge of the EUTOPIA Alliance and how relevant the topic is to personal development, among other things.
English proficiency will be assessed based on the CV and cover letter.

Selection process

The NOVA jury will comprise: João Amaro de Matos, Vice-Rector of NOVA; Ana Santos Pinto, professor at NOVA FCSH; and Carlotta Pisano, Ideas Club professor of the SUPERNOVA Foundation Programme.
The selection process may include an online interview. Results will be communicated individually by 4 August. Successful candidates must confirm their participation by 18 August.

Support

Travel, accommodation and meals will be covered for selected students from EU partner universities by the EUTOPIA MORE project, and for associated and global partners by institutional funds.

Schedule

Deadline for applications: 20 July 2025
Results announced: 4 August 2025
Deadline for appeals: 11 August 2025
Deadline for acceptance and confirmation of participation: 18 August 2025

Register and find more information here: eutopia@unl.pt

The terms and conditions are available here

Route Zero Conference: ‘Sustainability is not a peripheral concern — it is central, foundational and urgent.’

9 de July, 2025

The Rectorate Auditorium at NOVA University Lisbon played host to the Route Zero Conference, a landmark event at which the institution publicly presented its Roadmap for Climate Neutrality and Resilience. The result of two years of collaborative work, the roadmap demonstrates NOVA’s commitment to sustainability and encourages the entire academic community to work towards a more responsible and resilient future.

During the opening session, Rector João Sáágua emphasised that ‘this moment comes with great responsibility: to make decisions that will shape the next 50 years and beyond’. He also emphasised that sustainability ‘is not a peripheral concern — it is central, foundational, and urgent.’

Júlia Seixas, the Pro-Rector responsible for Sustainability, then took to the stage to present the pillars of the Route Zero project. She explained that ‘sustainability is not a static destination; it is a dynamic process’. NOVA has set itself ambitious decarbonisation goals, including reducing Scope 1 emissions by 95% by 2040, as well as taking concrete action in Scopes 2 and 3. This includes producing solar energy, certifying sustainable laboratories, and implementing green mobility and procurement policies. ‘We decided to move forward with this project because it requires us to understand, be aware and act,’ she said, adding that ‘everything is being done with the entire NOVA community’.

The following session featured international representatives such as Stephanie Panichelli-Batalla and Parvez Islam from the University of Warwick and Stefan Gumhold from the Technical University of Dresden — all of which are partner universities of NOVA in the EUTOPIA alliance — who shared their experiences and strategies for achieving carbon neutrality.

The conference also included a roundtable discussion with guests from the “Inquietos por Natureza” podcast – available to listen here – moderated by environmental journalist Ricardo Garcia. Garcia noted that “the only year we managed to reduce global emissions was during the pandemic, when the world stopped. Now, we don’t want to stop the world; we want to change the way we live.”

This was followed by a presentation by Marco Neves, a professor at NOVA FCSH, who explored the origins of five challenging terms related to climate change, such as “transition,” “mitigation,” and “resilience,” and reflected on the significance of language in conveying sustainability. Regarding the word “resilience,” he explained: “Resilience is the ability to bounce back and recover after something negative. It’s more related to the term ‘recovery’ than ‘resistance.'” He concluded that “sustainability is also a matter of communication, language, imagination, and our desire to keep talking.”

As reducing the ecological footprint of laboratories is one of the measures covered by the current agenda, the following panel, ‘Sustainability in Research Practice’, led by Júlia Seixas, reflected on the issue. Speaking remotely, Aaron Desmond (MyGreen Lab) recalled how his laboratory’s mission is to ‘create a global culture of sustainability in science and transform the industry into a global leader in the field’. Cristina Branquinho (CE3C-FCUL/CHANGE) shared her experience at the University of Lisbon and Margarida Prado (FC&T) explained how the process works within the European working group.

Ana Teresa Perez, President of the Climate Agency, delivered the closing remarks, presenting NOVA’s roadmap as “a concrete example of how knowledge is transformed into commitment and commitment into action,” emphasizing that “this type of initiative can make all the difference.”

More information about Route Zero

The full event is available here

NOVA at EUTOPIA Week in Warwick: Innovation, AI and Global Networks

7 de July, 2025

NOVA University Lisbon attended EUTOPIA Week 2025, held at the University of Warwick in the United Kingdom from 30 June to 4 July. The meeting, which took place under the theme of ‘Creating Global Connections’, brought together the ten European universities of the EUTOPIA alliance and six global partners. The aim was to promote international collaboration, student engagement, and the sharing of good practices between institutions.

Several activities were held during the week, including debate sessions, student-led workshops and cultural events. A particular highlight was the official dinner held at Coventry Cathedral, where British MP Taiwo Owatemi delivered a speech highlighting the University of Warwick’s role in innovation and regional development.

NOVA was also represented at a session dedicated to the theme ‘Innovation, Universities and AI’, where the impact of artificial intelligence on higher education was discussed. This discussion was attended by representatives from Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Arizona State University, and NOVA itself and was moderated by John Higgins CBE. Concrete examples of AI applications were presented, including diagnostic tools for medical students, virtual assistants for student support, and solutions for research data analysis.

José Manuel Durão Barroso, former President of the European Commission, also attended the event and reflected on the role of universities in promoting international cooperation and responding to the challenges of global populism.

NOVA’s participation further strengthens its commitment to innovation, internationalisation, and fostering a more interconnected and inclusive European university community.

NOVA Talent Spotlight: Beach Wreck Win the 9th Annual NOVA Music Battle of the Bands

7 de July, 2025

The final of the 9th NOVA Music Band Competition, organised by NOVA University of Lisbon, took place on 25 June. The event, which was held at Tokyo Lisboa, featured performances by the three finalist bands: Beach Wreck, Call Me Again Tomorrow, and Sombra & Zel. Ultimately, Beach Wreck was crowned the winner of this edition.

The winning band includes Artur Miranda, a student of the Integrated master’s in electrical and computer engineering at NOVA FCT, highlighting the diversity of talent within the NOVA academic community. Beach Wreck stood out for their strong stage presence and musical originality, winning over both the jury and the audience.

The event was filmed by Unholyomega and is available to watch here.

NOVA Startup Competition 2025: Which university startup will be the next to conquer the European stage?

7 de July, 2025

Applications are now open for the NOVA Startup Competition, which will take place on 30 July 2025 at NOVA University Lisbon.

The competition is open to early-stage startups that demonstrate boldness and innovation. The winning team will represent NOVA in the European final of Stage Two in Berlin on 30 October. This prestigious competition brings together the best university startups in Europe, giving them the opportunity to present their solutions to top-tier investors and network with founders and industry experts.

As the Portuguese partner of Stage Two, NOVA aims to support promising projects by offering them visibility and access to new funding opportunities at a European level.

Taking part in this competition provides a unique chance to showcase innovative solutions to a discerning audience, access mentoring and investment opportunities, and connect with a European network of high-potential university startups.

More information and applications are available here

NOVA launches new campus dedicated to aerospace engineering in Cascais

4 de July, 2025

NOVA University Lisbon (NOVA) will launch a new campus of Faculty of Science and Technology (NOVA FCT), dedicated to aerospace engineering, on a 20-hectare site adjacent to Cascais Municipal Aerodrome. The deed, signed this Friday, 4th July, marks the beginning of a project aimed at strengthening education, research and knowledge transfer in the aerospace sector.

“This new campus will also be the birthplace of a pioneering concept in the national context: a ‘university airport’ — a space where academic training, scientific research and real-world experimentation converge with air mobility, advanced engineering and sustainability. A place where people learn, research, innovate and fly,” said José Júlio Alferes, Dean of the Faculty, during the ceremony. “NOVA FCT firmly believes that the future is built together — that universities, local authorities and businesses must work side by side, with a shared vision and common ambition. That is what today represents: the creation of a long-term platform for collaboration, serving students, researchers, companies, the region and the country,” he added.

This new NOVA FCT unit will be the University’s fourth presence in the municipality of Cascais.

According to João Sàágua, Rector of NOVA, represented at the event by Pro-Rector José Branco, “NOVA, through NOVA FCT, aims to place Portugal among the countries seriously investing in the aerospace sector as a pillar of sovereignty, disruptive innovation and future development. This land entrusted to us is more than soil — it is fertile ground for ideas we want to see grow, take flight… and perhaps even reach orbit. We are ready to honour the trust placed in us by Cascais City Council and by our many partners with hard work, integrity, ambition and results.”

This new campus will further strengthen NOVA’s positioning in cutting-edge engineering fields and contribute to the economic and social development of a region with significant growth potential.

EUTOPIA_HEALTH interdisciplinary mobilities are now open!

2 de July, 2025

The EUTOPIA_HEALTH project has launched short-term interdisciplinary mobilities for academic staff and researchers across the EUTOPIA_HEALTH consortium. This initiative supports 3 to 4 days mobilities aimed at fostering collaboration and sharing best practices within the consortium, with a focus on Health-related interdisciplinary topics.

Who can apply?

Academic staff (teaching or administrative) and researchers at any career stage, with a minimum of one year of work experience in Health-related research or research management, currently employed at NOVA University Lisbon.

Budget

Each outgoing mobility is funded up to 1,200€, covering accommodation, travel and living expenses.

Application process

Applications will be accepted continuously until all available funds are allocated. Eligible applications will be assessed and approved on a first-come, first-served basis.

At least 10 mobilities are expected to be awarded to NOVA’s researchers and academic staff. All mobilities must be accomplished by 30 June 2027.

For more information, please visit the EUTOPIA_HEALTH website.

If you have questions, please contact nova.research@unl.pt.

About the project

The EUTOPIA_HEALTH is an initiative of nine universities within the EUTOPIA Alliance. It aims to create a novel and innovative framework for integrative academic management of Health-related scientific areas. The consortium includes:

Widening universities: Babeș-Bolyai University (Romania), University of Ljubljana (Slovenia), NOVA University Lisbon (Portugal).

Non-Widening universities: Vrije Universiteit Brussel (Belgium), Ca’ Foscari University of Venice (Italy), CY Cergy Paris University (France), University of Gothenburg (Sweden), Pompeu Fabra University-Barcelona (Spain), University of Warwick (United Kingdom).

NOVA awards Honorary Doctorates to Maria Leptin and José de Sousa e Brito

No auditório da reitoria encontram-se cinco cadeirões com a decoração para o Honoris Causa. Sentados estão O Diretor da NOVA FCT, José Alferes, o Reitor da NOVA, João Sàágua, Diretora da NOVA School of Law, Margarida Lima Rego e os dois laureados na cerimónia, Maria Leptin e José Sousa e Brito

1 de July, 2025

This Monday, the 30th, the auditorium of NOVA University Lisbon was filled to celebrate another moment of great academic significance: the conferral of the title of Doctor Honoris Causa to Maria Leptin, President of the European Research Council (ERC), and to José de Sousa e Brito, a prominent figure in the Portuguese legal academia.

“It is an honour to preside over a ceremony that distinguishes a scientist with an exceptional career and exemplary public service,” stated the Rector of NOVA at the opening of the session, highlighting Maria Leptin’s “pioneering work in the life sciences,” which “has helped expand our knowledge” and demonstrated how “fundamental science can illuminate life.” In short, he concluded, “this distinction reflects not only our admiration for her remarkable career but also the deep alignment between her values and those we uphold as an academic community.”

The tributes then turned to José de Sousa e Brito, acknowledged as a scholar whose intellectual legacy has shaped generations. “For nearly half a century, Professor Sousa e Brito has been devoted to teaching, sharing not only knowledge but also a rare ability to inspire critical thinking, ethical reflection, and academic rigour. With a career marked by tireless dedication to the pursuit of justice and legal clarity, his influence transcends the classroom, leaving a lasting mark on institutions and legal frameworks that define our society.”

Before an audience including several prominent public figures – such as Carlos Moedas, Mayor of Lisbon and former European Commissioner; José João Abrantes, President of the Constitutional Court; and former Minister of Justice, Francisca Van Dunem – the laudatory speeches and thanks from the honourees followed.

The first tribute was delivered by Elvira Fortunato, whose laboratory was among those that received the most ERC grants. Recalling the most significant milestones in Maria Leptin’s life and work, she emphasised how the ERC President “continues to champion scientific excellence across Europe and beyond.”

As the first Portuguese recipient of an ERC grant, Elvira Fortunato made a point of highlighting the importance of the 39 grants awarded to NOVA and the impact of the creation of the ERC Portugal Initiative, coordinated by the Foundation for Science and Technology. “These initiatives do more than expand the frontiers of science; they actively contribute to shaping our collective future, fostering prosperity and societal well-being.”

Maria Leptin thanked and reciprocated the praise: “The largest share of European research funding went to NOVA – clearly the best and most successful Portuguese university.” She also emphasised the importance of fundamental science: “Many do not understand why so much is invested in basic science. But it is that knowledge that enables us to tackle today’s major challenges.” She concluded with revealing data: “44% of ERC projects generated knowledge cited in patents; 400 new companies were born from discoveries funded by these grants.”

The tribute to José de Sousa e Brito followed. The first words came from Teresa Pizarro Beleza, read by Frederico da Costa Pinto: “His greatest virtue is persistence,” expressing her gratitude for the honouree’s personal generosity, especially in giving access to his library. “I know he was with me as he was with so many others.”

Luís Duarte d’Almeida, author of the second laudatory speech, reinforced this recognition, interspersing his remarks with poetic excerpts. Quoting The Philosophy of Literary Form by Kenneth Burke, he evoked the “metaphor of the unending conversation” as the ideal of academic dialogue, especially in the humanities and in analytical philosophy, the field in which Sousa e Brito always stood out. “The first time I read that metaphor, the image that came to mind was the library – the famous library – of José de Sousa e Brito.”
He underlined the honouree’s role in shaping, over many decades, an intellectual community across several fields: “Entering a library for the first time is already entering an unending conversation, and countless are the people who only truly began to engage in such a conversation in the library of José de Sousa e Brito.”

In the end, the honouree himself expressed his gratitude in a heartfelt manner: “I will forever be indebted to NOVA for having allowed me to teach Philosophy of Law, my favourite subject.” Throughout his speech, he stressed that “it is impossible to treat legal matters properly without considering philosophical questions.”

As expected, the ceremony ended with poetry: “As Pessoa says, everything is worthwhile…”

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NOVA awarded honorary doctorates to Robert Langer and Maria Damanaki

30 de June, 2025

Last Friday, 27th January, the Rector’s auditorium at NOVA University Lisbon hosted a ceremony to welcome two important figures in science and world politics to our community.

“Few have contributed to health and to expanding the frontiers of knowledge in this way. Their vision and dedication exemplify the best of science for the benefit of humanity,’ said NOVA’s Rector João Sáágua, speaking about the career of the distinguished MIT scientist, Robert Langer. He added: “Maria Damanaki is a woman with an extraordinary vision, on the front line against a dictatorship, opening space for women’s careers, with a life full of achievements and values that represent the best of humanity.”

Laudatory speeches were given, followed by the presentation of the medal to each of the laureates.

‘The impact of his work makes him an Edison of medicine,’ said Pedro Oliveira, Director of the Nova School of Business and Economics, regarding Langer. He recalled that Langer had helped save millions of people around the world, even just considering his contribution to the mRNA vaccine against Covid-19 during the pandemic. ‘A hero who broke down the walls between industry and academia,’ he concluded.

‘To say he is a pioneer is an understatement,’ added João Conde, vice director of research at NOVA Medical School, recalling the privilege of having collaborated with Langer at MIT. ‘Above all, Langer changed the way we do science: simply, humbly, and never giving up. Furthermore, he is guided by the conviction that science should serve people. Let there be no doubt: this is the hero we want to follow.’

Even at the age of 76 and with an impressive CV, Robert S. Langer always smiled as he expressed his gratitude, emphasising above all what had kept him going: ‘Failure is okay. Remember that any great entrepreneur of our time failed before achieving success.” He also said that “you should work hard because you want to – if we realise how much this can change the world, then we will work even harder”.

Assunção Cristas, vice-president of the Faculty Council of NOVA School of Law, then took to the stage to praise Maria Damanaki. ‘She is more than Greek; she is a citizen of the world who has never been indifferent to the circumstances faced by women’, he said, also recalling how the former European Commissioner for the Environment, Oceans and Fisheries had entered politics at an early stage in her life. ‘One of her greatest contributions was the restoration of much of the marine life, which allowed for the creation of thousands of jobs in this area,’ Assunção Cristas highlighted, adding that her career is an inspiration to us all. ‘Protecting the ocean is not only possible, but essential for the future of humanity.’

Maria Damanaki made a point of explaining this, after remembering that she was born next to the sea and almost drowned at the age of three: ‘I always wanted to know what was beyond that immense blue’. As for her life as a politician, she acknowledged that it was not easy, even for someone like her who is a convinced Europeanist. In the end, she made a point of remembering Pessoa: ‘To be great, be whole.’

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NOVA stands in solidarity with Palestine

27 de June, 2025

NOVA University Lisbon is deeply concerned about the tragic situation in Gaza, which has been widely recognised and denounced by the United Nations as extremely serious.

In addition to the irreparable loss of tens of thousands of lives, the conditions for the region’s future development have also been systematically destroyed. Notably, the devastation of Palestinian higher education institutions, with which NOVA had academic cooperation relations, is an additional impact of this humanitarian catastrophe. Many of these institutions have had their infrastructure and equipment seriously damaged or destroyed, and a large number of their professors, researchers, students, and other professionals have been killed or forced to flee.

NOVA joins the United Nations in calling for an immediate end to the violence and respect for international humanitarian law. We also call for Palestine to be recognised as an independent state. We reaffirm our commitment and willingness to resume academic cooperation projects with Palestinian universities as soon as possible, in the spirit of solidarity, institutional commitment, and global responsibility.

We also express our solidarity with Palestinian members of the NOVA University Lisbon community, reaffirming our unconditional support for their dignity, safety and well-being.

NOVA Hosts the MetaRed 2025 International Meeting

26 de June, 2025

On 26 and 27 June, NOVA University Lisbon will host the MetaRed 2025 International Meeting of Presidents and Rectors, a highly significant initiative for the Ibero-American higher education sector.

MetaRed currently brings together over 1,700 universities, fostering a cooperative ecosystem in strategic areas such as digital transformation (MetaRed TIC), university entrepreneurship (MetaRed X), and sustainability and social responsibility (MetaRed S).

More than just an institutional gathering, this moment marks a significant turning point, celebrating the power of global collaboration in addressing the challenges of an ever-changing world. As NOVA’s Rector, João Sàágua, emphasises:

“We believe that progress is only meaningful when it is shared, inclusive, and sustainable.”

NOVA currently holds the presidency of MetaRed S in Portugal, leading the coordination among national higher education institutions in building a more sustainable and socially responsible academic agenda.

This International Meeting is therefore more than a space for reflection and the exchange of best practices: it is a call to action, ambition, and collaborative innovation.

“We hope this meeting will build bridges, open new possibilities, and foster innovative solutions that strengthen our universities,” reinforces the Rector of NOVA — reaffirming the university’s commitment to a more collaborative, global, and future-ready academic community.

NOVA strengthens strategic partnerships in Central Asia

24 de June, 2025

Over the course of six days in Azerbaijan and Uzbekistan, NOVA University Lisbon strengthened its ties with higher education institutions and established new collaborations with a direct impact on students. Discussions included exchange programmes, internships, and joint degrees, opening doors to academic and professional experiences in multicultural contexts. This journey was not only geographical, but also academic and human — reinforcing NOVA’s role as a global university.

The visit began in Baku on 9 June, with a meeting at ADA University, where Rector João Sàágua and Vice-Rector João Amaro de Matos were welcomed by Vice-Rector Fariz Ismailzade. Discussions focused on potential collaborations at the Master’s level in the fields of health management, data science, cybersecurity, and law and regulation.

On 10 June, a meeting was held with the State Agency for Science and Higher Education of Azerbaijan, represented by Ulker Sattarova and Muzhdat M. Hasanov, and attended by Professor Shahin Bayramov, Rector of Karabakh University. Opportunities for collaboration with local institutions were explored, including the development of joint degrees, student and researcher mobility programmes, capacity-building initiatives, and strategies to enhance the international visibility and competitiveness of Azerbaijani higher education.

Later that day, at Baku Higher Oil School, negotiations began for the signing of a memorandum of understanding, aiming to implement NOVA’s degree in renewable energies in partnership with NOVA School of Science and Technology, with the support of its Dean, José Alferes.

The Azerbaijani mission concluded on 11 June with the signing of a cooperation protocol with Azerbaijan State Oil and Industry University, in a meeting between Vice-Rector João Amaro de Matos and Rector Rufat Azizov. Priority areas include data science, computer engineering, and energy engineering, with particular emphasis on the potential introduction of the transversal and interdisciplinary module “Sustainability for All”, developed by the team led by Pro-Rector for Sustainability, Júlia Seixas.

In Tashkent, capital of Uzbekistan, on 12 June, NOVA initiated a new collaboration with Nordic International University. Discussions included joint Master’s programmes in sustainable urbanism and spatial planning (in partnership with NOVA FCT and NOVA FCSH), a double-degree project in communication and media (NOVA FCSH), and the integration of Uzbek students into Nova SBE’s Executive Education programmes.

The mission concluded in Samarkand on 14 June with a visit to the Samarkand Bukhara Silk Carpets factory, known for annually hosting students from Karlsruhe University, Germany, for 10-day technical internships. The owner, Abdulahad Badghisi, expressed interest in welcoming NOVA students under similar conditions, paving the way for future collaborations in the fields of arts (NOVA FCSH), restoration (NOVA FCT), and engineering.

VA School of Science and Technology.

The mission in Azerbaijan concluded with the signing of a cooperation protocol with the Azerbaijan State Oil and Industry University. Priority areas include data science, computer engineering, and energy engineering, with a special focus on the possible introduction of the cross-cutting module ‘Sustainability for All’, developed by the team of the Pro-Rector responsible for Sustainability, Júlia Seixas

In Tashkent, the capital of Uzbekistan, NOVA launched a new collaboration with the Nordic International University. Discussions included joint master’s programmes in sustainable urbanism and spatial planning, a dual degree in communication and media, and the integration of Uzbek students into Nova SBE’s Executive Education programmes.

The mission ended in Samarkand, on 14 June, with a visit to the Samarkand Bukhara Silk Carpets factory, which annually hosts students from the University of Karlsruhe, Germany, for technical internships. The owner, Abdulahad Badghisi, expressed interest in welcoming NOVA students under similar arrangements, paving the way for future collaboration in the fields of arts, restoration, and engineering.

Acordo Azerbaijão State University of Oil and Industry_1 - Copy

Secretaria de Estado do Ensino Superior do Azerbaijão_1

Secretaria de Estado do Ensino Superior do Azerbaijão_2

Secretaria de Estado do Ensino Superior do Azerbaijão

Application process for the position of Rector of NOVA

24 de June, 2025

Suspension of the process

On 24 June, the University suspended the electoral process for Rector as part of an injunction filed by an interested candidate.

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NOVA University Lisbon announces the opening of the application process for the position of Rector, which will take place between 1 April and 2 May 2025.

Call: Electoral Commission meeting

For more information, please see:

NOVA Spin-off ®, Cleocare, distinguished in international innovation competition in Macau

23 de June, 2025

Cleocare, formerly Glooma, a NOVA Spin-off ®, was awarded the Greatest Potential for Transfer of Technological Value prize in the 2025 edition of the Innovation and Entrepreneurship Competition (Macao) for Technology Enterprises from Brazil and Portugal. Cleocare was selected to participate in this competition by NOVA itself, recognizing the start-up’s potential impact in the healthcare sector.

Organized by the Economic and Technological Development Bureau of the Macau Special Administrative Region Government, the competition brought together 17 finalists from Brazil and Portugal. The event, which aims to promote technological cooperation between Macau, China and Portuguese-speaking countries, awarded prizes to companies in areas such as artificial intelligence, biomedicine, medical devices and IoT.

The prize awarded to Cleocare recognizes its high potential for transferring technological value to the Greater Bay Area – Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao. In addition to the prize money of 50.000 MOP (around 5.300 EUR), Cleocare will have access to networking and collaboration opportunities with investors, incubators and academic institutions in China, namely in Shanghai, Shenzhen and Jiangsu.

“This distinction represents an important international recognition of the work we have been doing. It is a clear sign that our technology has the potential to make a real impact in the healthcare sector, not only in Portugal but also in international markets. We would like to thank NOVA for their vote of confidence and for all their support throughout this journey”, said Francisco Nogueira and Frederico Stock, co-founders of Cleocare.

This success highlights NOVA’s role in supporting entrepreneurship and innovation, as well as internationalization in the scientific and technological field.

Check here more information about the competition

and here for more information about Cleocare

QS Ranking 2026: NOVA leads Portugal in reputation for employability and international diversity

19 de June, 2025

NOVA University Lisbon rose 61 places in the latest edition of the QS World University Ranking to position 327 worldwide. In this way it overtook the University of Coimbra, establishing itself as the third best Portuguese university, in a context in which almost all national universities improved their positioning, reinforcing the prestige of higher education in the country.

NOVA leads the way in internationalisation

NOVA stands out as a national leader in three indicators related to internationalisation: International Faculty, International Students and International Student Diversity, reinforcing its strategy as a Global university.

The international labour market’s recognition of the quality of NOVA’s graduates has also been growing. The Employer Reputation indicator saw the largest increase in the institution, with a rise of 110 places, and our University now occupies position 315 in this criterion.

“These results reflect the University’s transversal effort over the last few years to recruit quality international talent, both at teaching and student level. This success has only been possible given the growing recognition of NOVA’s quality and reputation among the main international employers, as the results of this ranking clearly attest to”, states João Amaro de Matos, NOVA’s Vice-Reitor da NOVA for Education and International Development.

Internationalisation has been a strategic priority for NOVA in recent years. Internally, this can be seen in the growing diversity of teachers, researchers, students and technicians. Externally, its role is emphasised in the international alliances and collaborations it maintains and, above all, in those it has developed in a transformative way more recently.

NOVA is the only Portuguese university with a campus abroad, is a member of the EUTOPIA alliance, leads the country in ERC scholarships per capita and has raised more than 200 million euros in competitive European projects.

With this rise and the strengthening of its strategic indicators, NOVA is consolidating its position as a leading university on the European and international scene.

NOVA Medical School inaugurates the first building of its new campus in Carcavelos

17 de June, 2025

NOVA Medical School officially inaugurated, this Monday (June 16), the Advanced Training Building, the first phase of its new campus in Carcavelos. This strategic project will profoundly transform education, research, and innovation in health in Portugal.

With a total investment of €50 million and a total area of 25,500 m², the NOVA Medical School Carcavelos campus will be developed in several phases until 2028. It will bring together undergraduate and postgraduate education, biomedical research, entrepreneurship, healthcare provision, and community engagement activities. More than just a building, this inauguration marks the beginning of a new hub for health in Portugal, grounded in the principles of scientific excellence, pedagogical innovation, and social responsibility.

Ana Paula Martins, Minister of Health, highlighted the project’s importance for the country’s development: “The doctors trained here will carry a mission for the future, as they are the ones who will shape it for the benefit of people and communities. The country needs projects like this one, which bring Portugal closer to the future we all aspire to. In this new chapter, may you write a significant part of what will become medical education and health teaching in Portugal.”

For Carlos Carreiras, Mayor of Cascais, this project is “another decisive step towards the future.” “This new academic and scientific hub represents the continuation of a clear strategy: to attract talent, knowledge, and innovation. More than buildings or numbers, this is about people. It is about ensuring health, proximity, and dignity, with public policy decisions based on science and knowledge for everyone living in Cascais.”

“This new campus of NOVA Medical School is a clear example of NOVA’s ambition — a global university committed to excellence and innovation with real impact on society. This is a space that integrates science, education, and healthcare and places Portugal at the forefront of European medical training,” stressed João Sàágua, Rector of NOVA University Lisbon.

“The inauguration of the Advanced Training Building at NOVA Medical School is a major milestone in building the School of the Future — a more open, collaborative institution, student-centred and deeply connected to society. This campus is a platform to rethink how we train doctors and health professionals, based on interdisciplinarity, technological innovation, and a humanistic vision of medicine that makes us very proud. This is also a moment to thank our institutional partners — both public and private — who form the foundation of everything that has already been achieved and of what is still to come,” said Miguel Xavier, Interim Director of NOVA Medical School.

The new Advanced Training Building, spanning over 4,000 m², includes 12 modular learning rooms, 8 clinical simulation laboratories, an anatomical theatre with 12 stations, and a modern surgical training centre. It is the first cornerstone of the new campus. Dedicated to postgraduate education, research, and innovation, this space embodies a student-centred approach, offering flexible, collaborative, and technologically advanced environments. The laboratories feature robotic mannequins and simulated patients, and the anatomical theatre uses state-of-the-art technologies for cadaveric training, promoting realistic and safe learning.

This new facility reflects NOVA Medical School’s strong commitment to lifelong learning, recognising the growing complexity of medical practice. By establishing a centre of excellence for the continuous development and specialisation of health professionals, the School reinforces its position as a national and international reference institution.

The presentation of the new campus took place in front of an audience that included the Minister of Health, Ana Paula Martins, local government officials, institutional partners, and representatives from the health, science, and education sectors. The crucial role of donors was acknowledged, including support from Cascais City Council, CUF, Bial, Germano de Sousa, Haddad Foundation, Grupo Nabeiro–Delta Cafés, Jerónimo Martins/Pingo Doce, Grupo Ribera Salud, among other public and private partners.

The new campus will also be connected to two strategic projects currently underway: the Hospital de Todos-os-Santos (in Lisbon, scheduled to open in 2027) and the Alcabideche Complex, which will focus on innovation, healthcare provision, research, and health entrepreneurship.

The inauguration ceremony also featured the presentation of a work by the artist Joana Vasconcelos, whose intervention aims to reinforce the cultural and humanistic dimension of the campus. The internationally renowned Portuguese artist will create a piece symbolising the intersection of art, science, and society. The event included a performance by fado singer Kátia Guerreiro, accompanied by Professor Themudo Barata and guest musicians.

The event concluded with the unveiling of a commemorative plaque and a visit to the new building, officially opening the doors to what will become a medical school of the future — global, interdisciplinary, innovative, and rooted in excellence.

NOVA researcher awarded European grant to study the impact of financial literacy on the active population

17 de June, 2025

A grant from the European Research Council (ERC) has been awarded to Miguel Ferreira, Full Professor and Vice-Dean of Nova School of Business & Economics (Nova SBE). The school thus remains the only institution in Portugal to receive ERC funding in the fields of economics, finance and management (panel SH1 – Individuals, Markets and Organisations).

The project FINANCEforALL has been awarded an ERC Advanced Grant, the first ever granted in Portugal within this panel. The study aims to assess the impact of financial literacy training on the Portuguese working population, analysing not only the direct effects on individuals’ financial knowledge and behaviour, but also the indirect impacts on their co-workers, companies and local economies.

“Financial education is essential for the well-being of families and the resilience of economies. This project will make it possible, for the first time, to rigorously and on a large scale understand the real effects of financial literacy in workplace and regional contexts,” says the Nova SBE researcher.

The research, led by Miguel Ferreira — who also holds the Banco BPI–“la Caixa” Foundation Chair in Responsible Finance and coordinates the financial literacy programme Finanças para Todos at Nova SBE — represents a landmark in economic research in Portugal.

The project will adopt an innovative experimental design, with interventions in municipalities, companies and workplaces, combining surveys with unique administrative data — such as credit records, tax data, property ownership and banking transactions — to measure short- and long-term effects in areas such as income, consumption, savings, employment and entrepreneurship. The project involves partnerships with the Bank of Portugal and the National Statistics Institute (INE).

This will be the first time, at international level, that a comprehensive analysis is conducted on the effects of financial literacy in the workplace, offering a new perspective on its economic and social impact.

“This recognition confirms the excellence of NOVA’s researchers and their commitment to producing research with a positive impact on society. I would like to congratulate Nova SBE and Professor Miguel Ferreira on this achievement,” says Isabel Rocha, Vice-Rector for Research, Innovation and Value Creation at NOVA University Lisbon.

This is the third ERC grant awarded to Nova SBE, following the Starting Grants obtained by Miguel Ferreira in 2012 and Alex Armand in 2021.

With this new distinction, the total number of ERC grants awarded to NOVA researchers across a wide range of fields since 2007 rises to 39.

OPEN and IDEA Programmes: Applications open until June 20

17 de June, 2025

Applications are now officially open for the OPEN and IDEA programmes, promoted by NOVA University Lisbon as part of CONNECT – Turning Knowledge into Impact, a Social Innovation and Entrepreneurship Initiative (IIES) developed in consortium with Casa do Impacto (Santa Casa da Misericórdia de Lisboa) and the Catholic University of Portugal, through the Yunus Social Innovation Center. The consortium is supported by Social Investors: Lisbon City Council, Galp Foundation, and Santander Foundation.

These two programmes mark the first edition of the initiative and focus on the theme of Housing, Habitat and Mobility. Running from June 26 to July 17, the programmes aim to engage professionals, researchers, faculty members, and students in the exploration, ideation, and testing of innovative solutions to pressing social and territorial challenges.

“CONNECT aims to create a true ecosystem of social and territorial innovation by linking academic knowledge to communities and real-world challenges. The OPEN and IDEA programmes are the starting point,” says João Seixas, Pro-Rector for Socio-Territorial Innovation at NOVA University Lisbon and coordinator of the consortium at the university.

Applications are open until June 20 and can be submitted through the online form.

About the Programmes

OPEN is a foresight and analysis programme featuring immersive sessions on trends and opportunities in the area of Housing, Habitat, and Mobility.

IDEA fosters the ideation and early development of innovative projects and solutions.

Selected participants will benefit from:

Specialized mentoring;
Design thinking tools and innovation training;
Integration into active social innovation networks;
Opportunity for one-year incubation at Casa do Impacto (for selected projects).

More information here.

Nova SBE highlighted in the Financial Times Master’s In Finance Ranking

16 de June, 2025

Nova SBE was placed in 6th place globally in the prestigious Financial Times Masters in Finance ranking 2025.

More information here.

Cascais honors Rector and four NOVA Schools with Medal of Honor of the Municipality

11 de June, 2025

NOVA University Lisbon was distinguished with four Medals of Honor from the Municipality of Cascais, awarded to the Rector, João Sàágua, NOVA Medical School, NOVA School of Law, Nova School of Business and Economics and the Faculty of Science and Technology. The awards were presented as part of the celebrations for Municipal Day.

This recognition reflects the strengthening of the strategic relationship between NOVA and the Municipality of Cascais, a long-standing partnership marked by consistent collaboration in areas such as education, research, innovation and territorial cohesion. This collaboration began with the creation of the Nova SBE campus in Carcavelos and has been consolidated with new high-impact projects.

Amongst the different highlights, are the future facilities of NOVA Medical School and NOVA School of Law, which will be based in Cascais, as well as the creation of a new polo for NOVA School of Science and Technology, dedicated to aerospace engineering. These initiatives will strengthen NOVA’s presence in the municipality and contribute towards a regional University ecosystem, with academic, scientific, and social impact.

“Cascais stands out as one of the strategic municipalities in the realization of NOVA’s vision as a global and civic University. This close relationship with Cascais, built up over the last few years, has contributed to the strong growth and affirmation of the University, with an impact on the region and the country”, as referred by NOVA’s Rector, João Sàágua.

The award of the municipality’s Medal of Honour recognizes the role of NOVA University Lisbon as an agent of transformation and sustainable development, as well as its contribution to building a more prosperous, inclusive and supportive municipality.

Discover the winning teams at NOVA Starters Academy 2025

6 de June, 2025

During the last semester, 37 students from seven academic units at NOVA University Lisbon worked together in ten multidisciplinary teams to develop entrepreneurial projects. Last Wednesday, the 4 th, they publicly presented their ideas to a jury comprising Ricardo Feferbaum (AngelsWay), Sofia Rolo (UNF), Cíntia Costa (+351) and Isabel Rocha, NOVA’s Vice-Rector for Research and Innovation.

The YOLK team, made up by Tancredi di Grande (Nova SBE), Ma Chue and Murshid Kazi (NOVA IMS) and Rita Martins de Sousa (NOVA School of Law), won the top prize and secured direct access to the Future Innovator Programme at Unicorn Factory Lisbon

Honourable Mentions were also awarded to the following projects:

Match Play: Laura Borges Veiga (NOVA IMS), Gonçalo Simões (Nova SBE), Rafaela Neto de Jesus (NOVA FCT) and Farhan Arshad (NOVA IMS).

Dear Journal: Jelle Koopman (Nova SBE), António Oliveira, Vitória Kushniruk (NOVA IMS) and Maria Luísa Beja (Nova SBE).

Recognised for its practical approach to stimulating entrepreneurial spirit among participants, supported by experts and coaches in the field, NOVA Starters Academy is NOVA University Lisbon’s longest-running entrepreneurship programme, having provided hundreds of students with the essential tools to create a start-up.

NOVA highlights the role of European universities at YERUN’s 10^(th) anniversary conference

membros de um painel durante a conferência de celebração de 10º aniversário da YERUN. Professor João Amaro de Matos e restante painel no palco do auditório.

6 de June, 2025

NOVA University Lisbon attended the conference marking the 10th anniversary of the Young European Research Universities Network (YERUN), held in Brussels on Thursday, 5th May. The university contributed with a presentation focused on the future of university collaboration in Europe.

João Amaro de Matos, Vice-Rector for Education and International Development, took part in the session entitled “Working Together for Impact: The Future of European University Collaboration”, where participants discussed the challenges and opportunities facing European university alliances. In his intervention, he highlighted the importance of student engagement, the need for institutional agility, and the long-term sustainability of these alliances.

Held under the motto “10 Years of YERUN: Looking Forward, Growing Together”, the event brought together university leaders, European Commission representatives, and experts in science and innovation.

Further information is available on the YERUN website

NOVA students take part in European challenge on disinformation promoted by EUTOPIA

29 de May, 2025

The 3rd edition of the Innovation Challenges for Students, organised by the European University Alliance EUTOPIA (of which NOVA is a member), took place from 13 to 15 May 2025 at Universitat Pompeu Fabra in Barcelona.

The event, which took place under the theme ‘Unmasking the Truth: Tackling Fake News Together’, brought together 80 students from ten European universities, including NOVA University Lisbon, which was represented by students from the NOVA School of Law (NSL), NOVA FCSH, NOVA Medical School (NMS), NOVA IMS, NOVA ENSP and Nova School of Business and Economics (Nova SBE).

The challenge focused on four key areas related to disinformation:

‘Fake News & Fact-Checking’, which aimed to integrate fact-checking into citizens’ daily lives and was proposed by Lucía Abadías López from Verificat — the only fact-checking platform in Catalonia to be recognised internationally;
‘Fake News & Mental Health’, which addressed misinformation on mental health among young people and was proposed by Meritxell Vilanova Cots from Fundació Joia — a non-profit organisation with over 40 years’ experience in Barcelona;
‘Fake News and Deepfakes’, which aimed to promote critical awareness of the creation and dissemination of AI-generated manipulated content, was proposed by Alex Valverde Valencia from the RAIN Film Festival, the first European festival dedicated to film and AI.
‘Fake News and Democratic Fragility’, focused on protecting democratic values through the use of open data and was proposed by Mar Escarrabill from Canòdrom – Ateneu d’Innovació Digital i Democràtica.

The students were organised into interdisciplinary teams and challenged to develop innovative solutions for each topic. The programme included workshops, debates and collaborative work sessions to foster an environment of active learning and critical reflection on the impact of disinformation on contemporary society. The event concluded with public presentations of the final projects to a live audience and an international jury comprising academics, journalists, fact-checking professionals and innovation experts.

XVII Photography Competition: view the winning images here

28 de May, 2025

Open to students from all cycles of study, this edition of the competition challenged participants to explore different perspectives on diversity through the lens of a camera.

1st Prize:
Joana Cortes/Nova SBE: ‘Flavour of Existence’

2nd Prize:
João António Barreto de Oliveira (NOVA FCT): ‘Coexistence by the River’

Third Prize:
Enrique Taubmann (Nova SBE): ‘Closed Eyes’

Honourable Mention:
Laila Abdelrahman Babiker (NOVA Cairo): ‘Threads of Identity’

Honourable Mention
Laura Pinto da Mota (NOVA FCSH): ‘Untitled’

Honourable Mention
Beatriz Brito (NOVA School of Law): ‘Meat’

The first, second and third prizes will be awarded the respective monetary amounts of €500, €300 and €200. Honourable mentions will each receive €100.

2º Prémio: João António Barreto de Oliveira/NOVA FCT

Menção Honrosa: Laura Pinto da Mota/NOVA FCSH

Menção Honrosa: Beatriz Brito/ NOVA School of Law

Menção Honrosa - Laila Abdelrahman Babiker/NOVA Cairo

NYTA – NOVA Young Talent Awards: The university recognises the best first-year undergraduate students

28 de May, 2025

NOVA University Lisbon once again honoured the best first-year undergraduates at NOVA in the 2023/24 academic year, as well as the principals of their former secondary schools.

“My congratulations to all the award winners. May this award be a source of pride for the dedication, perseverance, and quality that you have demonstrated”, said the Rector of NOVA, João Sáágua, at the beginning of the NYTA ceremony. He also emphasised that ‘the challenges facing our society are great and complex, and we need our best minds to face them’.

On Tuesday, the Rectorate auditorium at NOVA University Lisbon was filled to capacity to honour the 42 students who performed the best in their first year of study at NOVA. As well as recognising their commitment and dedication, this award honours the secondary schools from which the students come.

‘Students are said to be, and rightly so, the reason for a university’s existence, and they certainly represent the greatest and most relevant impact that can be had in the service of society,’ reinforced the Rector. He added that, at NOVA, educating students is increasingly linked to the other two missions: research and innovation. Whether through alternative education, the permanent transformation of the job market, or the great challenges facing today’s society — such as climate change, health issues, war, inequality, and the crisis of democracy — public, private, and social institutions must be equipped with competent, adaptable people with new knowledge in a variety of areas. All of this implies an enormous capacity for openness to society. In this respect, NOVA aims to be a national leader in collaboration.”

Before the diplomas were handed out, there was still time to hear from Ivo Bernardo, a visiting assistant professor at NOVA IMS, passionate about Data Science and Analytics, and partner at DareData Engineering — a startup specialized in implementing machine learning systems in companies of different sizes, considered the fastest-growing AI company in Portugal. “After this presentation, it seems like I was a brilliant student, which is not true. Now, if the result of my experience, as an average/good student, was this, imagine what you, as the best, can do”, he said, reminding us that the most valuable asset is on the students’ side: “Never forget that what you have the most, right now, is time.”

Included in the University’s Strategic Plan for 2020-2030, the Talent@NOVA program consists of several subprograms dedicated to all members of the NOVA community — professors, researchers, staff and students. Known as NYTA, the initiative that brought together part of the NOVA community again is just one of these measures.

EUTOPIA MORE Hackathon Highlights Innovation at NOVA

27 de May, 2025

From May 5 to 9, NOVA University Lisbon hosted the EUTOPIA MORE Innovation Challenges for Researchers, an international initiative that brought together 17 researchers from seven universities of the EUTOPIA alliance for an intensive week of collaborative work dedicated to the theme of the Ocean.

Part of the EUTOPIA MORE project, the event challenged participants to design innovative solutions for real-world problems presented by industry partners: Oceano Fresco, BlueOASIS, and Ocean Community. Working in multidisciplinary teams, the researchers combined knowledge from diverse scientific fields and institutions in an environment that fostered experimentation and co-creation.

The programme featured hands-on sessions, expert talks on the latest trends in the blue economy, and visits to key innovation ecosystems, including the NOVA Innovation & Analytics Lab (NOVA IMS), the Haddad Entrepreneurship Institute (NOVA SBE), and Fórum Oceano.

The week concluded with a public presentation of the solutions developed, showcasing creative, tech-driven proposals with strong practical potential to address emerging challenges in ocean-related sectors — a strategic area for both NOVA’s scientific community and the city.

NOVA welcomes delegation from Zhejiang University to strengthen international academic cooperation

26 de May, 2025

The visit of Zhejiang University (ZJU) to NOVA University Lisbon marked a significant step in strengthening international academic collaboration between two leading institutions. Renowned as one of China’s most prestigious universities, with a strong focus on science, technology, and innovation, ZJU expressed interest in establishing strategic partnerships with NOVA, particularly through short-term exchanges for students, faculty, and researchers.

The ZJU delegation, received on 23 May, included Professor Ye Min, Vice President of the university’s Development Committee and Director of the Academic Committee of the Institute of China’s Science, Technology and Education Policy; Professor Hou Wanjun, Vice Dean of the same institute; Dr Chen Chan, Deputy Director of ZJU’s Policy Research Office; Dr Chen Guanghua, researcher at the institute; and Xia Bicao, research assistant.

The delegation was welcomed by Prof. João Amaro de Matos, Vice-Rector for Education and International Development at NOVA and by representatives from NOVA Schools: Maria Cardeira da Silva, Vice- Dean for Internationalization at NOVA FCSH, Alexandra Fiéis and Prof. Joana Teixeira, both faculty members at the Linguistics Center also at NOVA FCSH, as well as Amilton Moreira from the Internationalisation Division. Representing NOVA FCT was Marina Marques, Head of the Internationalization and Mobility Office.

Several areas of mutual interest were identified during the meeting, and a general cooperation agreement between the two universities is currently being prepared.

Connected Communities: Visit by delegation from EUTOPIA Alliance partner university reinforces transnational collaboration

26 de May, 2025

A delegation of six students and one lecturer from Babes-Bolyai University, Romania, visited NOVA School of Law for the final session of a course held within the framework of the Connected Community Ocean Challenges, an initiative of the EUTOPIA European University, coordinated by NOVA.

Taught by Professor and also Secretary-General of the Ocean Forum Ruben Eiras, the course “Financing Sustainable Blue Economy and Integration of Policies and Development”, part of the Master’s in Law and Economics of the Sea – Ocean Governance, was designed to give both local and international students an in-depth understanding of the maritime economy and the policies shaping its sustainable development in global and European contexts.

The course was delivered in a hybrid format, with synchronous sessions enabling active participation from the Romanian students throughout the semester, culminating in their visit to Lisbon for the final presentation.

During the final session, all the students, including the ones from NOVA’s partner university — who had attended the course remotely — had the opportunity to present their final business-oriented projects in person to a panel of experts and investors in the field of the sustainable blue economy.

This experience, the first of its kind at NOVA, reinforced the transnational and collaborative nature of EUTOPIA, fostering a sense of belonging to the alliance and promoting academic exchange between partner institutions.

More information about the Connected Communities

IX Band Contest: vote here!

23 de May, 2025

Organised by the Culture and Events Support Unit, the IX NOVA Música Band Competition is a NOVA University Lisbon initiative.

Aiming to promote Portuguese music among the university’s student community, the competition includes a final performance by the contestants and awards the winner with a cash prize of 700 euros.

Here is the playlist of the competing bands. To vote, just click on the following link.
The band with the most votes will be one of the three finalists to play in the final on 25 June.

Voting is open until 30 May.

You can find more information on the NOVA Cultura website and the Nova Música Facebook page.

NOVA kicks off pilot Inclusive Leadership training

23 de May, 2025

NOVA University Lisbon launched, last week, the Pilot Training in Inclusive Leadership with an inaugural session in the Senate Room of the Rectorate, last Wednesday 21.

Developed under the European project ULEAD4ALL, the training is aimed at those who aspire to lead — from students keen to make a difference, to current decision-makers within the NOVA community. Its goal? To foster more inclusive, representative leadership in academic and professional settings, through a mentorship-based approach.

The opening session was filled with moments of connection, sharing and reflection. Participants had the chance to meet, kick-start their mentoring relationships and delve into the key concepts that will guide the rest of the programme, running in a hybrid format until the end of June.

Given the strong interest in this pilot edition, NOVA’s Equality and Inclusion Office is already considering launching further editions. The ambition is clear: to engage more and more members of the university community in building a culture of leadership that is fairer, more diverse, and truly inclusive.

NOVA ImpACT! Challenges 2025: A competition that supports ideas that could change the world.

22 de May, 2025

NOVA University Lisbon is once again calling on creative and entrepreneurial minds with the latest edition of the NOVA impACT! Challenges, a competition designed to boost innovative projects with social and environmental impact. The initiative will run from 23 June to 14 July 2025, and applications are open until 11:59 PM on 4 June.

Organised by the NOVA Impact Office, the programme supports teams developing solutions aligned with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Over the course of three intensive weeks, participants will benefit from expert-led workshops, dedicated mentoring, and an initial €500 seed fund to support prototype development.

The programme culminates in a live pitch event at the NOVA Rectorate, where a panel of academic and industry leaders will evaluate the projects. The winning team will receive an additional prize to help accelerate their solution’s implementation.

Applications can be submitted via the NOVA Innovation website

NOVA University Lisbon celebrates innovation at the 3rd ADN Awards Gala – Agir Diferente na NOVA

20 de May, 2025

On Monday, 19 May, NOVA University Lisbon celebrated the 3rd edition of the ADN Awards Gala – Agir Diferente na NOVA, an initiative aimed at recognising, valuing, and promoting innovative practices developed within the institution. The ceremony – held at the Rectory, on the Campolide campus, with strong participation from the academic community – honoured three winning projects and three honourable mentions, selected for their impact, creativity, and contribution to the continuous improvement of the University.

In his opening remarks, Rector João Sàágua recalled the origins of the initiative and underlined its purpose: “The core of this idea is to recognise the importance of technical and administrative staff to the University. […] This project honours NOVA and must continue.”

The Rector also highlighted the growth and consolidation of the gala, noting that this 3rd edition shows “that the project has been embraced by the schools and by the people”, and thanked the technical and administrative staff for “wearing NOVA’s shirt with such commitment and generosity.”

In total, 26 applications were submitted this year, demonstrating the NOVA community’s strong commitment to innovation and continuous improvement. The jury – composed of Ana Rita Marante (jury chair, NOVA Administrator), Mário Pelaio (University of Aveiro), António Cabecinha (University of Algarve), João Paulo Carvalho (Senior Partner at Quidgest), Ricardo Oliveira (Digitallis), and Fátima Valério (Caixa Geral de Depósitos) – also selected the 12 best applications by category, which received a trophy. The three Honourable Mentions received a diploma, and the three award-winning projects received a monetary prize of €2,500 each.

ADN Award-Winning Projects 2025

InNOVA – NOVA’s Greenhouse Gas Emissions Inventory
This project established the structure for data collection and management of NOVA’s greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions inventory, involving all organisational units, empowering teams, and laying the foundations for a cross-cutting environmental information system.
Category: Other Projects (Sustainability)
Team: Madalena Ravara, Rita Aragão Ramos, Vitória Ferreira, Manuel Salvador, Paula Chicau, Catarina Bernardo, Susana Santos, Sara Ribeiro, Marco Lopes, José Malcato, Paula Pacheco, Patrícia Ferreira, João Loureiro, Patrícia Luz, Cláudia Saque
Sponsor: Caixa Geral de Depósitos

Oeiras Experimenta – Climate-smart crops for sustainable food production
A citizen science project bringing together researchers, local communities, and policymakers to explore alternative and underutilised drought-resistant crops, contributing to food security in the context of climate change.
Category: Innovation and Entrepreneurship Support
Team: Maria João Leão and Inês Sardinha
Sponsor: Quidgest

PUFF – Upcycling for Training and Futures Project
An environmental and social impact project that reuses PVC banners through sewing, extending the material’s life cycle and creating employment opportunities for migrant communities through partnership work.
Category: Social Action
Team: Susana Gonzalez, Joana Maciel, Pedro Fontes, Patrícia Nunes, João Lima, Hélder António
Sponsor: Digitallis

Honourable Mentions

Violence Against Women – Challenging Silence and Strengthening the Response in the Academic Environment (Social Action)
Repentinas (Sports or Cultural Activities)
WHO Collaborating Centres (Internationalisation)

Best Project in Each Area

Social welfare: PUFF – Upcycling Project for Training and Future
Support for Innovation and Entrepreneurship: Oeiras Experimenta
Internationalisation: WHO Collaborating Centres
Support for Research: Researchers on board
Sports or Cultural Activities: Repentinas
Strategy and Planning: PLANET – Technological Strategic Planning
Quality Management: NOVA Quality Day
Human Resources Management: Training – A Strategic Pillar for Human Resources
Marketing and Communication: NOVA Talks
Libraries, Documentation Services and Bibliometrics: SOS – Shots of Skills
Digital Transformation: APP NOVA FCSH – Communication tool for the academic community
Other Projects: Application No. 5 – InNOVA

NOVA has brought the giraffe Lili to life to promote diversity on both a national and international level

16 de May, 2025

In May, the European month dedicated to diversity, NOVA University Lisbon reaffirmed its commitment to its core values by collaborating with the Portuguese Association for Diversity and Inclusion (APPDI). As a signatory of the Portuguese Diversity Charter, NOVA belongs to a network of over 560 organisations dedicated to creating a fairer, more inclusive society.

Since 2024, NOVA’s Academic Division has actively participated in APPDI’s Education Working Group, which aims to engage educational institutions in the development and promotion of inclusive educational projects. One of these initiatives is the original story LiLi the Giraffe, the giraffe with no spots, created as a didactic resource for primary and elementary school children.

The story was first shared with children attending a summer camp organised by NOVA’s Social Services (SASNOVA), where they listened to the story and drew their own spot-free giraffes, engaging in a playful activity that fostered empathy and acceptance of difference.

To support the international reach of this project, APPDI requested an English translation of the story to present it to the European Commission and share it with international partners. NOVA answered the call through a collaboration between the Academic Division and NOVA FCSH, involving Professor Marco Neves, a lecturer in translation, and student Flavia Della Valle.

Following the translation, NOVA’s Academic Division also oversaw the editorial work and design of an illustrated e-book, now ready to be shared across Europe and beyond.

NOVA is promoting training for summer camp monitors

16 de May, 2025

In collaboration with the Teaching Division of the Rectorate of NOVA University Lisbon, NOVA Medical School is organising specialised training for summer camp monitors. The training aims to ensure that all professionals leading groups of children and young people are adequately prepared and qualified to perform their duties responsibly, safely and creatively.

The training will take place from 30 May to 6 June in a hybrid format. Asynchronous modules will be available on NOVA’s e-learning platform, allowing each participant to organise their own learning pace. On the last day, there will be a face-to-face session at the NOVA Medical School facilities in Lisbon.

The training covers the legal framework for holiday camps, practical guidelines on payments and issuing receipts through the Finance Portal, and topics such as group dynamics, interpersonal relationships, intercultural communication, first aid and basic life support.

Successful completion of the training and passing the final assessment will result in the award of a certificate attesting to the acquisition of essential skills for the effective and safe performance of the monitor role.

Registration is open until 26 May.
More information via email: supernovasummerschool@unl.pt

The NOVA Health Conference discussed the future of food in relation to science, culture and sustainability

14 de May, 2025

“Food in Transformation – Conversations about Consumption, Diets and Sustainability” was the theme of the conference organised by the Nutrition group at NOVA Health, formed by professors Iva Pires (FCSH), Carlota Vaz Patto (ITQB) and Luis Pereira da Silva (NMS), and which brought together experts from various areas to reflect on the challenges of today’s food and its implications for public health and the planet.

The opening session included a speech by the Pro-Rector coordinator of NOVA Health, Cláudio Soares, who was represented by Luís Pereira da Silva, paediatrician and co-coordinator of the Nutrition group.

The speech emphasised the importance of collaboration between NOVA’s various units, which are located in Lisbon, Almada, Oeiras and Cascais, to develop interdisciplinary health solutions. ‘This is one of the most diverse conferences I have attended within the scope of NOVA Health’, he said, thanking the organising team for their commitment and highlighting the role of the eight NOVA Health thematic groups, including the Nutrition group.

The revolution on the plate and the science behind flavour

The first roundtable was titled “The Revolution on the Plate: What has changed in our diets?”, the conversation focused on the impact of biotechnology, plant breeding, and the cultural evolution of the human palate. Several NOVA units were represented by researchers, including ITQB NOVA, ENSP NOVA, NMS and NOVA FCSH. Iva Pires, a researcher at NOVA FCSH, moderated the discussion.

Topics discussed included the role of improved plants in food diversification (Carlota Vaz Patto, ITQB NOVA), the use of biotechnology to create sustainable foods (Rita Abranches, ITQB NOVA) and re-educating taste based on medicine’s role. Over the centuries, medicine has influenced our eating habits by shaping our perception of taste from a health point of view. However, this change must be adapted to the motivations and individual profiles of consumers (Inês Mota/NMS and Cristina Godinho/ENSP NOVA).

Influences at the table: between communication, education and changing habits

In the second roundtable discussion, ‘At the table with influences: what shapes our food choices?’, the role of communication, culture and food education was considered. Ana Margarida Barreto (NOVA FCSH) highlighted the importance of differentiated communication strategies for children, the elderly and each age group within the scope of the project she coordinates, ‘Communication for Health: Exploratory Study for the Promotion of Healthy Eating’. She underlined the need to use the same strategies, tactics and tools used by major food industry brands to promote healthy eating in a conscious and ethical way. Iva Pires addressed the normalisation of food waste, while Luís Pereira da Silva emphasised the importance of educating the palate from childhood. Catarina Espanhol (EUREST Portugal) advocated a more integrated approach to informing and educating citizens.

The session concluded with the consensus that achieving food transformation necessitates dialogue between disciplines, sectors, and generations. This first conference organised by the NOVA Saúde Nutrition group was characterised precisely by this spirit of sharing and collaboration.

NOVA and UEMF establish strategic partnership between Europe and the Maghreb

14 de May, 2025

As part of its strategic approach to strengthening ties with universities in the Maghreb, NOVA University Lisbon has signed a collaboration agreement with the EuroMed University of Fès (UEMF) in Morocco. This protocol reinforces the shared commitment to student mobility, scientific development, and the promotion of intercultural dialogue between Europe and Africa.

The agreement took place during an official visit by a NOVA delegation — comprising the Rector, João Sàágua, and the Vice-Rector responsible for Teaching and International Development, João Amaro de Matos — to the UEMF facilities. During the visit, the delegation was able to experience the quality and ambition of the university’s academic and scientific infrastructure first-hand, including the largest 3D printing platform installed on a university campus in Africa, as well as an excellent sports complex with a FIFA-certified football pitch and an Olympic-size swimming pool.

According to João Sàágua, Rector of NOVA University Lisbon, the partnership aligns with a broader strategic vision: “NOVA, deeply rooted in European culture and Iberian identity, places great importance on collaboration with three key regions: Europe, the Mediterranean, and the South Atlantic. These are priority areas for innovative and sustainable academic cooperation.”

UEMF, for its part, stands out as a leading institution in the Euro-Mediterranean region, playing a key role in high-impact projects across education, research, and innovation, and acting as a bridge between continents.

With this partnership, NOVA takes another step in advancing the internationalisation of Portuguese higher education, reinforcing its presence in the Euro-African space and contributing to a more connected, inclusive, and global academic network.

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NOVA joins the Re.Data project – Network for Research Data Management

12 de May, 2025

NOVA University Lisbon is part of the consortium implementing the Re.Data project – Network for Research Data Management. Funded by the National Programme for Open Science and Open Research Data (PNCADAI), the initiative strengthens the University’s role as one of the leading institutions promoting innovative practices in line with international standards.

With several activities planned until the end of 2025, the project’s mission is to create and consolidate a community of practice dedicated to research data management in Portugal. This objective aims not only to increase the social and economic impact of research, but also to ensure sustainability and responsible and expanded access to data, in line with the best international standards.

Among the events already scheduled – the calendar of which can be found here – we would like to highlight the workshop “Fundamentals of data curation: specialisation for data librarians and information professionals”, which will take place on 25 June at NOVA SBE.

The consortium is made up of NOVA FCT, NOVA FCSH, IHMT NOVAe NOVA IMS , in collaboration with the University of Coimbra, ISCTE – University Institute of Lisbon, the Polytechnic Institute of Bragança and the University of Minho, which is coordinating the project.

Find out more at the official website

General Council approves the integration of the Estoril Higher School of Hotel Management and Tourism into NOVA

7 de May, 2025

At the proposal of the Rector of NOVA University Lisbon, and following the favourable opinion of the Board of Directors, the General Council of NOVA approved on 5th May the integration of the Estoril School of Hospitality and Tourism (ESHTE) into NOVA University Lisbon.

ESHTE is the leading higher education institution in the field of tourism and hospitality in Portugal, bringing consolidated knowledge in a strategic sector that represents around 15% of the national GDP. Its integration will make it possible to create synergies between the scientific areas already consolidated at NOVA and the specialised skills of ESHTE.

This step will allow NOVA to strengthen its presence in a scientific and professional field with a strong economic, social and cultural impact: tourism as a global phenomenon that requires sustainable, digital and qualified solutions.

“After ISPA, the integration of ESHTE reinforces NOVA’s ambition to be a leading university in social and technological areas, as well as in those that combine science, culture, territory and economy”, stresses João Sàágua, Rector of NOVA.

Doctoral Fellowships within EUTOPIA Alliance: Call open until June 13

5 de May, 2025

Starting May 5, 2025, the call for the EUTOPIA PhD Co-tutelle Program 2025 is open! With the goal of facilitating the creation of synergies and foster a shared research environment within the EUTOPIA Alliance, the 2025 edition will count with 6 PhD Fellowships, under the collaborative EUTOPIA Alliance protocol, signed between NOVA and Fundação para a Ciência e Tecnologia (FCT I.P.).

This funding opportunity is targeted to high-quality PhD projects in all areas of knowledge, that consider NOVA has a home institution and have co-orientation of fellows from the following partner universities of the EUTOPIA Alliance:

Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB)

CY Cergy Paris Université (CY)

University of Warwick (UW)

Technische Universität Dresden (TUD)

Università Ca’ Foscari Venezia (UNIVE)

The work plan should be partially developed at NOVA, under a mixed fellowship, with a maximum duration of 4 years. The work plan period at the international partner institution needs to be between 12 and 24 months, sequential or interleaved. The Doctoral Degree will be attributed by NOVA in cotutelle with the selected EUTOPIA partner institution.

Until June 13 (11h59pm, Lisbon time), candidates must submit all the application’s support documents requested in the Notice of the Call, through the email eutopia.phd@unl.pt.

If you’re interested in applying to the EUTOPIA PhD Co-tutelle program with NOVA has a host institution (instead of Home Institution), please consult the information regarding other partners’ Call, available on the official EUTOPIA PhD Co-tutelle page.

NOVA opens registration for “Entrepreneurship Academy” – free online course, accessible to all

30 de April, 2025

NOVA University Lisbon announces that registration is now open for the fourth edition of the Entrepreneurship Academy, a free online course accessible to all via the NAU e-learning platform. With a flexible format and content in Portuguese with English subtitles, the course is aimed not only at university students but also at anyone interested in developing essential skills in management, innovation, and business creation.

Participants can register at any time until September 2025. As a short course divided into six modules, it allows learners to progress at their own pace, exploring key topics such as writing a business plan and an effective pitch, approaching customers and partners, market analysis and identifying funding opportunities, protecting intellectual property, team profiles and project structuring, as well as the legal foundations of setting up a business. The course includes 18 sessions, each lasting between five and ten minutes, delivered by professors from various NOVA schools.

This initiative is co-funded by the European Union’s Recovery and Resilience Plan (RRP) and reinforces NOVA’s commitment to sharing knowledge and promoting entrepreneurship in Portugal and across Portuguese-speaking countries.

Since its first edition in 2022, the Entrepreneurship Academy has attracted more than 11,000 registrants from around 35 countries, reflecting a global interest in acquiring entrepreneurial skills.

More information

Applications now open for the 3rd edition of the “NOVA Research Impact Storytelling Challenge”

28 de April, 2025

Applications are this Monday, 28, open for the third edition of the Research Impact Storytelling Challenge, an initiative by NOVA University Lisbon that invites its researchers to creatively share the impact of their projects.

The objective of this third edition of the Research Impact Narratives Challenge is once again to give all NOVA professors and researchers the opportunity to write narratives that communicate the real impact of their research and its direct consequences for society, in a way that can be understood by everyone.

After two editions, in which 354 professors and researchers participated and 12 winners were honoured – a series of projects can be seen here – NOVA is once again inviting them to give visibility to the contribution of research to the development of society and knowledge.

Applications are open until 6 June. Find out more and apply here: Research Impact Narratives Challenge – UNL

Summer Schools NOVA 2025: An experience beyond the classroom

24 de April, 2025

This summer, NOVA University Lisbon offers a variety of educational opportunities designed for students of different ages and academic interests, combining academic learning with practical and cultural experiences in the Portuguese capital.

SUPERNOVA Summer School

Aimed at pre-university students from around the world, the SUPERNOVA Summer School offers an immersive programme with dynamic workshops, practical projects, and real-world exposure. Participants collaborate with professionals in state-of-the-art laboratories, gaining insights and skills for their future development.

More information

EUTOPIA Doctoral Summer School

The EUTOPIA Doctoral Summer School promotes an interdisciplinary approach to complex topics in modern scientific research. Targeted at doctoral students, this school broadens research horizons and encourages innovative projects with potential for recognition.

More information

NOVA FCT Summer School

The NOVA FCT Summer School is a programme aimed at students in Years 10, 11 and 12 of the Scientific-Humanistic area of Science and Technology for the 2024/25 academic year. Participants will experience unique scientific and pedagogical activities in the fields of science, engineering and technology, led by NOVA FCT professors and researchers. Alongside the scientific programme, participants can enjoy recreational and sporting activities that promote integration, creativity and academic spirit. Taking part in the NOVA FCT Summer School also enables us to support high school students in choosing their future university path!

More information

NOVA FCSH Summer Courses

The NOVA FCSH Summer School, which takes place between July and August, offers short-term training courses lasting 15 or 25 hours. The school aims to provide a space for curricular experimentation, interdisciplinarity and internationalisation. This school offers teachers, researchers and students the opportunity to participate in collaborative and creative activities, which is an excellent way to develop skills, update knowledge and deepen academic understanding. Proposals include the Summer Course in Portuguese as a Foreign Language (levels A1 to C1) and the Intensive Online Portuguese Course for Level A2 students.

More information

NOVA Medical School Summer School

NOVA Medical School offers a programme dedicated to advanced healthcare, with a focus on disease prevention. Located in central Lisbon, this school provides an immersive experience in cutting-edge facilities, allowing students to explore new medical approaches in a dynamic and collaborative environment.

More information

NOVA School of Law

The Faculty of Law will provide two very special summer schools: one on international arbitration, the other on intellectual property and sustainability. All information available in the links international arbitration and intellectual property and sustainability

ITQB NOVA Summer Science

Summer Science is a summer internship program that gives undergraduate students (2nd and 3rd years) the opportunity to learn about the science done at ITQB NOVA, from behind the scenes to the front lines. For one week, students are integrated into a research laboratory, where they develop a scientific project. In addition, they participate in scientific discussions, workshops and social activities. Everything very close to the beach, in Oeiras!

More information

NOVA University Lisbon mourns the death of His Holiness Pope Francis

21 de April, 2025

On Monday 21 April, NOVA University Lisbon received with deep sadness the news of the death of His Holiness Pope Francis.

“A key figure of our time, Pope Francis will be remembered for his unwavering commitment to social justice, interreligious dialogue and human dignity. His legacy goes beyond his intrinsic connection to the Catholic Church, transcends borders and will continue to inspire generations,” says João Sàágua, Rector of NOVA University Lisbon.

Since the beginning of his pontificate in 2013, Pope Francis has stood out for his defence of the weakest, his constant call for peace and his concern for issues such as climate change, social inclusion and the renewal of the Church in a spirit of closeness and humility. His humanist and reformist vision resonated strongly in the academic environment, encouraging reflection and debate on the great challenges of our time.

Pope Francis’ relationship with Portugal has been marked by moments of great symbolism, such as his visit in 2017 to mark the centenary of the apparitions at Fatima, and the World Youth Day in 2023, which he will hold in Lisbon.

On behalf of NOVA University Lisbon, Rector João Sàágua expresses his deepest condolences to all those who have found in Pope Francis a reference of humanity and transformation.

NOVA University Lisbon reinforces scientific excellence in the assessment of R&D units by the Foundation for Science and Technology

16 de April, 2025

NOVA University Lisbon (NOVA) has once again stood out in the national panorama of scientific research, within the framework of the evaluation of research and development (R&D) units carried out by the Foundation for Science and Technology (FCT).

According to the results of the evaluation of R&D units for 2023/2024, which have just been published, 93% of NOVA’s R&D units were rated “excellent” and “very good”. Furthermore, by showing an improvement over the previous year, they consolidate NOVA’s position as one of the top performing higher education institutions nationally.

“These exceptional results demonstrate the commitment of the entire NOVA scientific community to developing excellent research with an impact on society,” says Isabel Rocha, Vice-Rector for Research and Innovation at Universidade Nova de Lisboa.

Of the 41 NOVA R&D units (UIDs) evaluated, 29 were classified as “excellent”, 9 as “very good” and 3 as “good”. The number of NOVA UIDs classified as “Excellent” increased by 20% compared to the previous year and represents 71% of the total number of UIDs with which the University is associated, a percentage well above the 40% of the national average of UIDs that received this classification.

All of NOVA’s organic units now have at least one R&D unit classified as “Excellent”, reinforcing the University’s transversal commitment to scientific excellence in all fields of knowledge: NOVA FCT, NOVA FCSH, Nova SBE, NOVA Medical School e ENSP NOVA, NOVA School of Law, NOVA IMS, IHMT NOVA, ITQB NOVA.

In recognition of the quality demonstrated, the Research Units with which NOVA is associated will benefit from a total of 126 million euros in funding allocated under the 2023/2024 Multi-Annual Programme for the Financing of R&D Units.

NOVA congratulates all NOVA R&D Unit Coordinators and their teams for their continued commitment to excellence. With this achievement, NOVA strengthens its strategic role in the national and international science and technology system, actively contributing to the production of knowledge, innovation and sustainable development.

At the national level, entities with a performance rating of “Excellent” or “Very Good” have approved funding of R$609.8 million for the period 2025-2029. Of this amount, R$110 million comes from the Recovery and Resilience Plan, with an execution deadline of 30 June 2026.

More details about the Assessment of Research and Development (R&D) Units can be found here.

NOVA in South Korea to strengthen academic cooperation

14 de April, 2025

Separated by almost 10,000 kilometres, South Korea and Portugal occupy opposite ends of the territory also known as Eurasia, but they share surprising similarities – a close territorial proximity and a historical relationship with the sea – and relations between the two countries date back to the 16th century, when Portuguese captain Domingos Monteiro became the first Westerner to reach the Korean Peninsula. More recently, in 2021, they will celebrate the 60th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations.

It is in this context of affinity and cooperation that a delegation from NOVA University Lisbon will make an institutional visit to South Korea between 15 and 18 April, with the aim of strengthening cooperation in teaching and research.

The delegation will be led by João Amaro de Matos, Vice Rector for Teaching and International Development, and will include the Directors Miguel de Castro Neto (NOVA IMS), José Alferes (NOVA FCT) and Luís Baptista (NOVA FCSH). The mission is supported by the Portuguese Embassy in Seoul.

During the institutional mission, the NOVA delegation will meet with six leading South Korean higher education institutions. On 15 April, the delegation will visit the Korea Advanced Institute of Science & Technology (KAIST). The following day, 16 April, a general cooperation agreement will be signed with Hankuk University of Foreign Studies (HUFS) in the morning and another agreement with Sungkyunkwan University (SKKU) in the afternoon. On 17 April, the delegation will go to Kyungpook National University (KNU), a partner of the European alliance EUTOPIA, of which NOVA is a member, and the visit will end on 18 April with meetings in the morning at the King Sejong Institute Foundation (SJIF), including a meeting with the Secretary General, and in the afternoon at the University of Seoul (UoS), where a cooperation agreement will also be signed. The agenda also includes an official dinner at the Portuguese Embassy.

With this visit, NOVA University Lisbon reaffirms its commitment to an active presence in Southeast Asia and investment in cooperation networks that enhance the mobility of students and researchers, joint scientific development and cultural exchange.

NOVA mourns the death of Mario Vagas Llosa, our Doctor Honoris Causa since 2014

14 de April, 2025

NOVA University Lisbon expresses its deepest regret at the death of the Peruvian writer Mario Vargas Llosa, to whom it had the honour of conferring the title of Doctor Honoris Causa in 2014.

A leading novelist on the Ibero-American and global literary scene, Mario Vargas Llosa, winner of the Cervantes Prize in 1994 and the Nobel Prize in Literature in 2010, has left an indelible mark on contemporary literature and thought.

The author of a vast and influential oeuvre that transcends genres and borders – as a writer, but also as a politician, journalist, essayist and university professor – Vargas Llosa was one of the most important writers of his generation, offering us a critical, informed and always provocative vision of reality.

NOVA remembers with admiration his time at our university and the intellectual legacy he leaves for future generations.

EUTOPIA_HEALTH: call for proposals for transdisciplinary projects extended until 30 May

11 de April, 2025

The EUTOPIA_HEALTH project has extended the deadline for its “Seed Funding Call”, which aims to support six transdisciplinary research projects in the field of health. Each selected project will receive funding of €120,000 and must be carried out over a period of 24 months.

Research teams must include members from at least three universities within the consortium, and must obligatorily include at least one university located in a Widening country – such as Babeș-Bolyai University (Romania), the University of Ljubljana (Slovenia), or NOVA University of Lisbon (Portugal).

Collaboration with global partners of the EUTOPIA university alliance or with external research groups is also encouraged, in order to foster broader connections.

More information here

For further details about the application process, please contact: nova.research@unl.pt

Elvira Fortunato among Portugal’s 50 most influential women

11 de April, 2025

Scientist and Professor Elvira Fortunato, from the Faculty of Science and Technology at NOVA University Lisbon, has been named, for the 10th year in a row, one of Portugal’s 50 most influential women, in a selection that reflects the growing role of women in politics, science, business and leadership.

With a degree in physics and materials engineering and a PhD in materials engineering from NOVA FCT, Elvira Fortunato is a pioneer in research into transparent and flexible electronics. Former Minister of Science, Technology and Higher Education (2023-2024), at the beginning of 2025 she took over the leadership of the new China-European Union Joint Laboratory for Electronic Materials, dedicated to the development of innovative applications from biomedicine to solar cells for space, based in Hefei, China. Her biography, Elvira Fortunato – A life of passion for science, written by Virgílio Azevedo, was published in March this year.

Now in its tenth edition, this is an initiative of Executiva, a brand that includes a website, books and conferences, and whose mission is to contribute to accelerating the parity of women in top management, highlighting their professional careers, their talents and their excellence, without forgetting to promote “role models” who influence others.

Project ULEAD4ALL: NOVA shapes (more) inclusive leaders

11 de April, 2025

NOVA University Lisbon is making significant strides towards a more diverse and representative leadership culture with the ULEAD4ALL project.

Internally coordinated by the Office of Equality and Inclusion, with support from the International Relations Division, this project aims to empower both academic and non-academic staff to lead inclusively in higher education.

ULEAD4ALL training is structured into two formats: The first is aimed at early-career individuals, who belong to underrepresented groups based on gender, ethnic origin, religion, physical condition, or sexual orientation, and aspire to leadership roles; the second targets established leaders.

The inaugural face-to-face session will take place on May 21st at the Senate Room of the Rectorate, on the Campolide campus, involving both groups. Subsequent sessions will be conducted online and tailored separately for each group.

ULEAD4ALL is an Erasmus+ project, coordinated by the University Industry Innovation Network (UIIN) in collaboration with Advancis Business Services, Trinity College Dublin, Ca’ Foscari University of Venice, and NOVA University Lisbon.

Officially launched in late 2023, this project represents a unique opportunity to foster positive change in leadership within higher education institutions. By investing in diversity and inclusion, NOVA reinforces its commitment to a more equitable academic community, better prepared for future challenges.

Join us! Get involved: limited places, make sure you book before 30 April

Registration for current leaders

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IX NOVA Music Band Competition: Applications open until 20 May

2 de April, 2025

The IX NOVA Music Band Competition, organised by the Culture and Events Support Unit, is an initiative of the Universidade Nova de Lisboa.

Aimed at promoting Portuguese music among the university’s student community, it includes the presentation of the finalists in the competition finals and awards the winner with a cash prize of 700 euros.

More information and application form on the NOVA Cultura website

NOVA University Lisbon and the World Bank sign a Memorandum of Understanding to finance workshops on sustainability in Africa

28 de March, 2025

This Friday 28th, NOVA University Lisbon and the World Bank formalised a historic partnership with the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding to finance a series of workshops on sustainability and development in three African countries – Senegal, Kenya and Angola.

The protocol was signed by NOVA Rector João Sàágua and World Bank Vice President Ethiopis Tafaris, and represents the culmination of more than two years of negotiations. This agreement represents a significant step towards strengthening the University’s strategic presence in the region, in line with its commitment to empowering African communities.

“It is with great pride that we formalise this commitment, now as a way of repaying the trust that has been placed in us. We are deeply committed to the success of the project,” said the Rector. The World Bank official was equally enthusiastic about the opportunity: “We could never do this work without partners, so we seized the opportunity to learn from your experience and invest in a sustainable Africa.”

This capacity building project, funded by the World Bank, is an integral part of NOVA University’s efforts to promote sustainable development in sub-Saharan Africa. Compared to previous initiatives, such as the UDI-Africa project launched in 2017 with funding from the European Commission, this new initiative strengthens the commitment to local capacity building through international partnerships.

“The close collaboration with the World Bank recognises NOVA as the ideal academic partner to support development finance in this area and opens doors for future significant collaborations,” also emphasised Vice-Rector João Amaro de Matos, who oversees the university’s teaching and international development areas.

The ceremony was also attended by the University Administrator, Ana Rita Marante; the Pro-Rector, Júlia Seixas; the Director of NOVA FCT, José Alferes; the Director of NOVA FCSH, Luís Baptista; the Director of ENSP NOVA, Sónia Dias; the Deputy Director of NOVA IMS, Manuela Aparício; and the Director of IHMT NOVA, Filomeno Fortes.

1st in reputation: NOVA tops the RepScore rankings

27 de March, 2025

NOVA University Lisbon has been ranked first in the Schools and Universities category of the RepScore ranking, a recognition that reinforces its prominent position in the higher education panorama in Portugal. The result reflects NOVA’s commitment to academic excellence, innovation and social impact.

“This first place confirms not only the quality of our teaching and research, but also our great openness to society and our collaboration with public and private institutions for the benefit of the country,” stresses João Sàágua, Rector of NOVA, in an interview with Executive Digest. “Celebrating its 50th anniversary, NOVA has consolidated its national and international reputation, becoming one of the most recognised Portuguese institutions in Europe. RepScore strengthens our ability to attract talent and foster collaboration, promoting a strong link with the labour market and the continuation of our commitment to excellence.”

RepScore is an annual study conducted by OnStrategy, which assesses the positioning and the emotional and rational levels of reputation of more than 2000 brands in Portugal.

NOVA has established itself as a global university, with 22% of its students, 16% of its professors and researchers and almost 5% of its technical staff coming from abroad. Furthermore, around 50% of the institution’s scientific publications are the result of international collaborations, which contributes to its success in competing for European research funding.

For the Rector, the university’s reputation is also a key factor in attracting new students, both Portuguese and foreign: “More than an institution that produces knowledge, NOVA sees itself as a university that puts this knowledge at the service of society. In the academic and scientific field, NOVA invests in innovative and multidisciplinary programmes, ensuring that its students and researchers are at the forefront of the production and dissemination of knowledge”.

Finally, as he pointed out, the quality of the work continues to be reflected in the high demand for NOVA courses: “We have maintained employability rates above 95% and have seen a steady increase in first choices for higher education.”

NOVA wins fourth consecutive title at the National University Swimming Championship (Long Course)

27 de March, 2025

Last Sunday, 23, the NOVA University Lisbon team dominated the National University Swimming Championship (Long Course) held in Porto, winning an impressive total of 23 medals. Among the achievements were a national university record, the team trophy and unforgettable moments of camaraderie among the 20 students who represented NOVA.

The technical and medical leadership of the delegation was crucial to the team’s success, with special recognition given to Dr Francisca Azevedo, whose continued support has been essential to the development and success of this sport at the University.

Below is the list of NOVA medallists:

Beatriz Gonçalves Casal (NOVA School of Law) – one gold medal
Carlos Nunes (NOVA IMS) – one silver and one bronze medal
Diogo Costa (NOVA IMS) – four silver medals
Ema Conceição (NOVA FCT) – two gold medals and one silver medal
Francisca Ferreira (NOVA Medical School) – one gold, two silver and one bronze medal
Francisca Mesquita (Nova SBE) – two bronze medals
Gabriel Ferrão (NOVA FCT) – two gold medals
Gonçalo Carvalho (NOVA FCT) – one gold medal
Íris Carrão (NOVA FCSH) – one bronze medal
João Carneiro (Nova SBE) – two gold medals and two silver medals
Matthew Lawrence (Nova SBE) – two silver medals
Miguel Almeida (NOVA FCT) – one silver and one bronze medal
Rafaela Azevedo (NOVA Medical School) – two gold and two silver medals

Photo: FADU/Federação Académica do Desporto Universitário

Elvira Fortunato once again chosen as Trusted Personality in the field of research and science

26 de March, 2025

Elvira Fortunato, professor at the Department of Materials Science and researcher at CENIMAT, at NOVA FCT, continues to accumulate distinctions. For the fifth consecutive year, the scientist was elected ‘Trusted Personality in the area of Research and Science’ by readers of Reader’s Digest Selections.

This recognition is the result of the Trusted Brands study, carried out annually since 2001, which seeks to give consumers a voice through open questions, allowing them to spontaneously identify the brands they trust most. “It is with great pride, but also with deep gratitude, that I receive, for the fifth consecutive year, the recognition of the Portuguese people as a trustworthy personality in the field of research and science. This award strengthens my commitment to science for all and by all,” says Elvira Fortunato.

The distinction reinforces the professor’s impact on scientific dissemination and public perception of the importance of science for social progress.

Elvira Fortunato joins a group of personalities recognized by readers, such as António Costa (Politics), José Rodrigues dos Santos (Literature and Journalism) and Eduardo Barroso (Medicine). Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa stands out as the most voted personality in the last 25 years.

NOVA University Lisbon in the spotlight in European patent registration in 2024

26 de March, 2025

NOVA University Lisbon has secured the 4th place ex aequo among Portuguese applicants for European patents, according to the latest EPO Patent Index 2024, released this Tuesday, 25 March 2025, by the European Patent Office (EPO).

The release of the data highlights the strength of the research and innovation promoted at the institution which, through a strategy geared towards excellence and the valorisation of knowledge, has been consolidating its presence on the national and international intellectual property and technology transfer scene. This report, which covers the main Portuguese applicants, places NOVA among the institutions that contribute most to the creation and protection of knowledge, strengthening Portuguese competitiveness in the European context.

This recognition also serves as an incentive for continued investment in research projects, technology licensing processes and partnerships with industry, in a clear commitment by the University to valorising its intellectual assets over the last few years.

Among the five inventions patented by NOVA that appear in this study are developments in strategic areas such as biotechnology, health and engineering. Some of the technologies submitted include an innovative method for producing CO2-based biodegradable polymers (PHA) as an alternative to conventional plastics, or a cellulose-based antibacterial hydrogel for treating bacterial infections. Innovations in multilayer optical sensors for pesticide detection and advanced wireless communications systems were also registered. These inventions also reflect NOVA’s capacity for innovation in various areas of knowledge.

The publication of the data by the EPO not only places NOVA University Lisbon in the spotlight but also highlights the role of academic institutions in boosting innovative activity in Portugal. Since 2020, the number of patent applications from Portuguese entities at the EPO has grown by 38,2% and NOVA is proud to contribute to this evolution. In an increasingly competitive scenario, the joint effort between academia, industry and government organisations is essential for creating synergies that boost sustainable development and international competitiveness.

More information on the data and methodology used by the EPO can be found directly at https://www.epo.org/en/about-us/statistics/patent-index-2024.

To find out more about our proprietary technologies, see https://novainnovation.unl.pt/category/available-technologies/.

ITQB NOVA study: What if a bacterial spray could prevent respiratory infections?

25 de March, 2025

Photo: ITQB NOVA

A new study reveals that harmless bacteria living in our upper respiratory tract inhibit Streptococcus pneumoniae, a significant agent of respiratory infections. The study opens up new possibilities for developing probiotic formulations, such as nasal sprays, with the potential to reduce colonization by this pathogen. Streptococcus pneumoniae, or pneumococcus, causes a range of infections from ear and sinus infections to more serious illnesses like meningitis, sepsis, and pneumonia. Children, the elderly, and immunocompromised individuals are among the most vulnerable to these infections. Each year, around 300 thousand children worldwide lose their lives due to this pathogen.

Currently, over 100 variants of S. pneumoniae are known, and no single vaccine can protect against all of them. Additionally, some of these bacteria are already resistant to antibiotics. Now, a new study published in the scientific journal Applied and Environmental Microbiology by the American Society for Microbiology reveals that certain bacteria living in our nasopharynx and oropharynx—behind the nasal cavity and mouth, respectively—can inhibit most variants of S. pneumoniae.

“Studying the frequency of colonization by S. pneumoniae, we noticed that some people who were not colonized by this pathogen were, however, colonized by other harmless bacteria, particularly Streptococcus oralis and Streptococcus mitis,” explains Raquel Sá-Leão, head of the Molecular Microbiology of Human Pathogens laboratory at ITQB NOVA, who led this study. This led researchers to question whether other microbes residing in our nasopharynx and oropharynx could limit the presence of S. pneumoniae.

To explore this possibility, the team evaluated the ability of microbes from swabs taken from 300 children and 300 adults without S. pneumoniae to inhibit this pathogen. “From the extensive list of microbes identified, we identified seven strains of S. oralis and S. mitis with strong inhibitory activity against S. pneumoniae,” reveals Sara Handem, one of the study’s authors and a researcher at ITQB NOVA. “These bacteria can prevent the formation of pneumococcal biofilms—groups of bacteria that cling to the respiratory mucosa, forming a community more resilient to the immune system and antibiotics,” she adds.

The anti-pneumococcal activity of S. oralis and S. mitis strains heavily depends on the production of small antimicrobial molecules called bacteriocins. “In addition to acting against most pneumococcal variants, bacteriocins are expected to induce less resistance than antibiotics and be more specific in targeting pneumococci while preserving the rest of the microbiota,” explains João Lança, another study author and researcher at ITQB NOVA.

“Our study presents a promising strategy, both to complement existing treatments and independently, to reduce pneumococcal disease. This approach is in line with World Health Organization recommendations that emphasize the importance of preventing colonization to combat disease and pneumococcal transmission,” concludes Carina Valente, also a study author and researcher at ITQB NOVA.

The team has already filed a provisional patent application covering pharmaceutical products containing these bacteria or their pneumococcus-inhibiting molecules (PT119647). The next steps will involve exploring the mechanism of action of bacteriocins and assessing the effectiveness and safety of these microbes and their products using in vivo models.

“We anticipate that our findings could lead to the development of new probiotic formulations, such as nasal sprays,” concludes João Borralho, another study author and researcher at ITQB NOVA.

NOVA to host EUTOPIA MORE Innovation Challenges for Researchers

24 de March, 2025

From 5 to 9 May 2025, NOVA University Lisbon will host the EUTOPIA MORE Innovation Challenges for Researchers. Over five days, researchers from EUTOPIA partner universities will gather in the Campolide Campus to tackle real-world challenges related to the ocean — an area of strategic importance both to NOVA’s scientific community and to the city itself.

The initiative aims to promote multidisciplinary collaboration and develop innovative solutions with real impact on the public and private sectors. Throughout the programme, participants will work in diverse teams, bringing together researchers from different fields and institutions, and collaborating directly with external stakeholders.

The event is open to researchers from all NOVA schools — from PhD students to senior researchers — who are interested in joining an international collaborative project and contributing to social change and ocean innovation.

Applications are open until 31 March 2025, and the selection process may include interviews. Interested candidates can apply via the application form available here.

Further information is available on the EUTOPIA website or by contacting novaimpact@unl.pt.

Café Joyeux at Nova SBE: inclusion served with the heart

24 de March, 2025

We are on the main deck of the Nova School of Business & Economics in Carcavelos. Right next to the café is a huge bunch of yellow balloons, accompanied by a phrase written on the wall: “The first Café Joyeux in a school served by extraordinary people”. Sofia and José, aged 21 and 26, are two of those extraordinary people.

“I really like working here because I make friends and practise my English,” says Sofia. José underlines the atmosphere: “It gives me a lot of pleasure: there is a lot of team spirit, we can socialise and talk…”. The two still have fresh memories of the inauguration of the room on 27 February, with a full house and the right to take selfies with the President of the Republic, Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa. The pride is more than understandable: this is the brand’s first charity café to open its doors in a school.

The initiative, organised by Nova SBE, is part of the protocol between NOVA University Lisbon, the Directorate General for Higher Education and Santa Casa da Misericórdia de Lisboa, which reaffirms the commitment to raise awareness in the academic community about the integration of people with disabilities, including students, in the labour market.

But the story of Café Joyeux in Portugal goes back to the time when Filipa Pinto Coelho and João Gomes da Silva were expecting a baby diagnosed with Down syndrome. The first feeling was one of strangeness, due to the lack of knowledge of the reality that was to come, what a new world that was going to be in front of him. And he realised that his fear was the fear of most parents, because these differences are so far removed from our lives.

The way Filipa sees life and is in it, communicating in a positive way, building bridges and finding solutions, made her feel that she had a role to play here: bringing two worlds together with a positive message, simplifying and inviting society to be part of the process.

This is how VilacomVida was born, in 2016, to find an autonomous life response for people with intellectual and developmental difficulties (IDD) in the transition from school to active adult life.

Bringing society closer to difference, bringing it to the center of our lives, was the solution they found, through something we do every day: like going to a café.

This is how the CafécomVida project began, which they opened in Lisbon. But at the same time, news arrived that would change everything: the opening of the second Café Joyeux in France. Then it was fate that ruled everything else.

Today, with the opening of the space at Nova SBE, there are now five commercial establishments of the brand in Portugal – in addition to the 22 that have spread throughout France, also reaching Brussels and New York.

At the counter, and very soon, via the Café Joyeux app, Nova SBE students can now enjoy Joyeux menus, whether to eat in or take away. Everything served with heart and lots of joy. And the photographs of the inauguration, below, leave no doubt.

About Café Joyeux: Café Joyeux is the first family of supportive and inclusive café-restaurants, born in France in 2017, which employs and trains people with intellectual and developmental difficulties. A pioneering concept brought to Portugal by the VilacomVida Association in 2021, when it opened its first café-restaurant on Rua de São Bento, in Lisbon.

About VilacomVida: VilacomVida currently has a total of 5 Cafés Joyeux in Lisbon and Cascais and manages a Zara Home store, part of the “For & From” project, located at the Freeport Lisboa Fashion Outlet, in Alcochete, directly employing a total of 37 people with functional diversity.

João Simões de Almeida e Filipa Pinto Coelho, os fundadores da associação VilacomVida

Vista geral do main deck da Nova SBE, onde se situa o Café Joyeux

O Presidente da República, Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa, a distribuir abraços

NOVA has created a biodiversity oasis in the heart of the city: the story of the Pollinator Garden on the Campolide Campus

24 de March, 2025

With the arrival of spring, the traditional almanac Borda D’Água recommends sowing pansies, carnations and chrysanthemums. But here at the Campolide Campus, we go a little further: we enjoy the growth of honeysuckle, rosemary, marigolds and oregano, carefully selected not only to beautify our outdoor space, but also to contribute to the health of the ecosystem around us.

Two years ago, this handful of plants became the hallmark of our Pollinator Garden, a space designed to support biodiversity and improve the quality of the local ecosystem. “The creation of the Pollinator Garden on the Campolide campus of NOVA University Lisbon is the result of a strategic vision that combines environmental sustainability, biodiversity and environmental education,” says architect David Maranha, from the Planning and Design Division – Heritage and Infrastructure Directorate, at NOVA University Lisbon.

In other words, it is a space carefully designed to provide food for insects throughout the year. To this end, 11 species of flora have been introduced initially, and it is planned to add another 9 native species over time, shrubs with different flowering seasons, to ensure a constant and varied floral cover.

According to the manager, “the space has been designed with native plants and other species that are attractive to pollinators, ensuring a diverse flora that blooms throughout the year”. This choice also encourages the creation of ecological corridors that connect different urban green spaces and strengthen local biodiversity.

But the impact of the pollinator garden goes beyond its ecological importance. In other words, this green space also benefits human health and well-being: several studies show that contact with nature and flowers can have a calming effect, reduce stress and improve mood.

The location of the garden has been strategically chosen to reinforce this educational mission. Situated at one of the main entrances to the campus, close to the Rector’s Office and visible from the north elevator, it is a frequent stop for students, professors and visitors. This location was carefully chosen to maximise the visual and educational impact of the project,” it says, “and the garden is also a tool to raise awareness of the importance of pollinators and responsible practices in relation to the environment.

With this project, the Campolide campus has gained more than just a green space: it has literally become a true oasis of biodiversity. A space that, in addition to supporting local fauna and contributing to mitigating the effects of urban heat islands, is in line with the Sustainable Development Goals, particularly SDG 15 – Life on Land. In short, this space not only provides a habitat for local fauna but also contributes to mitigating the effects of urban heat islands, cleaning the air and reducing noise.

More than just a landscaping project, this garden is a symbol of NOVA’s commitment to innovation, social responsibility and a more sustainable future.

A full house at NOVA for the launch of a book about Elvira Fortunato: “Never say it’s impossible”

19 de March, 2025

“A university that looks to the future of knowledge, without ever forgetting the past, is the ideal place to host this initiative”, stressed the Rector of NOVA University of Lisbon, João Sàágua, at the opening of the event that filled the Rectorate Auditorium late this Tuesday afternoon, 18th. “All the more so when it tells the story of someone who always wanted to do more and better”.

Signed by Virgílio Azevedo, Elvira – A Life of Passion for Science aims to be an inspiration for new generations. Jorge Garcia, head of Bertrand, the book’s publisher, highlighted this inspiring role – “for the defence of equality, as an example for students and even for the inescapable nature of science in the times we live in”. Rosalia Vargas, President of the Ciência Viva Centres network and responsible for the Lisbon Knowledge Pavilion, who signed the preface to the work, also emphasised: “She is someone who was born to know science and to transmit it to others”, and also praised the fact that she “still has so much to give to humanity”.

The author of the work, a journalist who has interviewed Elvira Fortunato countless times for Expresso, highlighted his biggest surprise after gathering all the information necessary to write the book: “Elvira Fortunato’s national and international success is also due to a profoundly democratic vision of teaching, researching, inventing, discovering and leading…”.

Rodrigo Martins, coordinator of CENIMAT and President of the European Academy of Sciences, highlighted, among other things, one of the measures promoted by Elvira Fortunato as Minister of Science, Technology and Higher Education, which allowed a democratisation of higher education by giving access to the courses they wanted to the 2% of students in level A of the School Social Action. “We all know that the social lift works, but it often needs a little push”.

Finally, Elvira Fortunato, who has been a member of NOVA since 1982 and has won two ERC grants – European Research Council grants – and who has achieved worldwide fame for her inventions of paper transistors and transparent electronics, began by confessing that the book had also brought her some revelations, especially one made by the current Rector. “But I won’t tell you, you have to read the book!” he joked. Finally, he couldn’t resist pointing out a surprise reserved for readers: if they press the sticker on the book’s cover, the heat will cause the colour to disappear and reveal the phrase they know so well – “Never say it’s impossible”.

EUTOPIA MORE “Innovation Challenges for Students”: find out how to register here

14 de March, 2025

Applications are now open for the 3rd edition of the Innovation Challenges for Students, which will run until 31 March 2025.

The event, which will bring together more than 80 students from the partner universities of the EUTOPIA alliance, will take place between 13 and 15 May 2025 at the Universitat Pompeu Fabra in Barcelona, Spain.

This initiative proposes a multidisciplinary entrepreneurship challenge under the theme “Unmasking the Truth: Tackling Fake News Together” and aims to encourage participants to develop innovative solutions to combat disinformation.

Over three days, students will have the opportunity to work in teams, participate in workshops and collaborate with companies and communities to solve local challenges.

NOVA University Lisbon has eight places available for its students, with travel, accommodation and meals provided.

Apply here

Check all details in the EUTOPIA website.

For more information, please contact novaimpact@unl.pt and mention InnovationChallengesBarcelona.

Sustainability 4 All: this was the debut of the new curricular unit, which is transversal to the whole university

12 de March, 2025

Sustainability 4 All: this was the debut of the new curricular unit, which is transversal to the whole university

It is, as we have said here before, a unique opportunity for NOVA students to learn more about sustainability, covering the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

The Welcome Session, which kicked off this Sustainability 4All course, took place at NOVA FCT on 1 March and included inspiring talks and two dynamic workshops on Theory of Change and Systems Thinking – a moment that proved to be a unique opportunity to create a network of contacts across all NOVA schools.

In total, more than 100 students attended, after being welcomed by the Director of NOVA FCT, José Alferes, and then treated to 3 theoretical context sessions: first, Júlia Seixas, Vice Rector of NOVA in charge of Sustainability, contextualised the theme; then Nuno Videira, Professor of environmental engineering at NOVA FCT, highlighted the need to use methodologies such as Systems Thinking when approaching sustainability issues; and finally Sofia Quintas, Professor of Change Management at NOVA IMS, recalled the importance of narratives to stimulate sustainable change.

Finally, as is customary at sustainability events, the students were invited to a celebratory lunch provided by Desafio Vegetariano – a project of Associação Aliança Animal that invites people to try a vegetarian diet for a month – promoting a more conscious diet.

NOVA Innovation Masterclasses: From Scientific Discovery to Market Innovation

12 de March, 2025

NOVA University Lisbon is launching a new series of online training classes you can’t miss: our Innovation Masterclasses aim to teach students, researchers and professionals how to turn scientific discoveries into new products and services that people will want to buy. Sessions are generally held on Wednesdays and are open to the entire NOVA community by prior registration.

The first session will feature Vice-Rector Isabel Rocha, who is in charge of Research and Innovation at NOVA. She will talk about the role of science in creating new ideas that really work.

NOVA Impact is organising these masterclasses, which will take you on a journey through the different stages of innovation, from creating scientific knowledge to making the most of your ideas in the market. During the sessions, you will meet experts and talk about important topics such as intellectual property, ways to commercialise your ideas, funding for innovation, and how to transfer technology.

The aim of this training programme is to address one of the main challenges of research: how to turn ideas and scientific breakthroughs into practical solutions that have a big impact on society.

Participation is free for the NOVA community but requires prior registration.
To check the full schedule and secure your place, visit: NOVA Innovation Masterclasses.

NOVA was present at the SECURE Summit in Brussels, reinforcing its commitment to the development of attractive research careers

12 de March, 2025

The hybrid event marked the closing of the European-funded project SECURE project with the in-person segment held in Brussels on March 6. It brought together experts, policymakers, institutions’ representatives and researchers to discuss the future of research careers in Europe.

What are the main challenges of research careers? What strategies should be implemented to develop sustainable careers? How can policies and funding programs contribute to improving career stability and promoting intersectoral mobility? These were some of the questions debated in the various panels of the event, which included representatives from the European Commission such as Dario Capezzuto and Wainer Lusoli, as well as other international experts like Luísa Henriques (FCT, I.P.) and Emmanuelle Gardan (Coimbra Group).

During the SECURE Summit, the main conclusions and results of the project were also showcased, including the presentation of the Research Career Framework (RCF) and the sharing of best practices on Tenure track-like models.

NOVA’s participation, represented by Vice-Rector Isabel Rocha, included the presentation of its results as a pilot institution for the implementation of the RCF. Highlights included efforts to mitigate research precarity, promote career development through training and access to specialized resources such as the Vitae platform, and the application for the HR Excellence in Research Award. NOVA joined the other pilot institutions in a mutual learning exercise to share best practices and discuss the main challenges faced as trial organisations.

Through its participation in this initiative, NOVA reinforces its commitment to attracting and retaining research talent and to developing attractive and sustainable careers, aligning its strategy with the key European recommendations in this area.

Learn more about the event and the work carried out under the SECURE project here!

NOVA at Futurália: The University’s educational offer at the Lisbon International Fair

12 de March, 2025

NOVA University Lisbon will once again be presenting its courses at the largest education and training event in Portugal, which will be held at FIL – Feira Internacional de Lisboa from 26 to 29 March.

The University will be present in its usual space with schools offering 1st cycle courses – NOVA FCT, Nova SBE, NOVA FCSH, NOVA Medical School, NOVA School of Law e NOVA IMS – providing visitors with detailed information about the degrees available.

This year, Futurália also has a new area dedicated to Masters, Doctorates, Postgraduate and Executive Training, where ENSP NOVA and IHMT NOVA will be present.

Eight of the University’s organisational units will be represented in this area, reinforcing NOVA’s commitment to lifelong learning and academic excellence.

NOVA FCT Team to research Trusted Generative AI in the Amazon Nova AI Challenge

12 de March, 2025

The research proposal on how to make Large Language Models (LLMs) more trustworthy, by David Semedo and João Magalhães, professors at the Department of Computer Science at NOVA FCT and researchers of the Multimodal Systems group at NOVA LINCS, was selected for the Amazon Nova AI Challenge.

The team includes the students Diogo Silva (team leader) Rafael Ferreira, and Diogo Tavares, along with new key additions—João Pedro Soares, Daniel Pina, Iago Paulo, Artur Horal, and Henrique Paz.

This edition is dedicated to the theme “Trusted AI: advancing secure, AI-assisted software development to build safer, more reliable applications”. Building on previous challenges—where innovative task-assistant LLMs were developed and key security concerns were addressed—this challenge aims to achieve security by design in Generative AI.

The research challenge focuses on secure code generation with LLMs that are resilient to attacks, with the participation of 10 universities worldwide: Carnegie Mellon University, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, Czech Tech University, University of California at Davis, Virginia Tech, University of Texas at Dallas, Columbia University, University of Wisconsin, Purdue University, and NOVA FCT.

NOVA FCT’s team will explore methods to push LLMs to their limits, probing their weaknesses and evaluating how trustworthy they truly are, towards identifying ways to improve their trustability. In 2023, the team developed an award-winning LLM-based system to assist in manual tasks.

NOVA researchers featured in a book that celebrates women in science

10 de March, 2025

Entitled “Women in Science”, the book was launched with the Ciência Viva seal at the Pavilhão do Conhecimento in Lisbon on Saturday, Women’s Day, and features portraits of six scientists from different NOVA research areas.

Joana Sacramento (CEDOC), Júlia Costa (ITQB), Maria Helena Godinho (CENIMAT), Maria Manuela Silva (NOVA Medical School), Paula Videira (NOVA FCT) and Sandra Tenreiro (NOVA Medical School) are among the 100 faces of Portuguese researchers selected for the book.

Following volumes published in 2016, 2019, 2021 and 2023, this fifth book in the collection features scientists from different generations and fields of knowledge, from biotechnology and biochemistry to computer science and artificial intelligence, in an initiative that highlights the paths, challenges and motivations of Portuguese women scientists.

The book launch was hosted by Rosalia Vargas, President of Ciência Viva, and attended by Ana Paiva, Secretary of State for Science, who gave the closing speech.

“There are more and more women in science in Portugal. But there is still a long way to go, especially in terms of leadership. Women in science need to find more opportunities and all doors need to be opened, with a total sense of inclusion and equality, so that they can make their choices,” stresses Rosalia Vargas in the book’s foreword.

Ana Paiva, who was a Woman in Science in 2023, also points out that “today many women still feel that they have to choose between family life and professional life. The ‘glass ceiling’ – the invisible ceiling that blocks progress – is a reality. It is therefore necessary to consider the factors that make life difficult for those who are often the main carers in the family, and to remove the barriers that prevent young Portuguese women scientists from reaching their full potential”.

The XVII NOVA photography competition is dedicated to diversity – submissions open until 22 April

7 de March, 2025

Open to the entire student community, from 1st to 3rd cycle, the XVII edition of the NOVA University Lisbon Photography Competition challenges the search, through the lens, for different perspectives on diversity, in all its forms.

Registration is open until 22 April and can be done through the form available on the NOVA Cultura website.

NOVA University Lisbon is back at Futurália

7 de March, 2025

NOVA will once again be presenting its teaching offer at what is considered to be the largest education and training event in Portugal, which will be held at FIL – Feira Internacional de Lisboa from 26th to 29th March.

The University will be present in its usual space with schools offering 1st cycle courses, providing visitors with detailed information about the degrees available.

This year, Futurália also has a new area dedicated to Masters, Doctorates, Postgraduate and Executive Training, where NOVA will also be present.

Eight of the University’s organisational units will be represented in this area, reinforcing NOVA’s commitment to lifelong learning and academic excellence.

Opportunities still open for EUTOPIA_HEALTH researchers

7 de March, 2025

The EUTOPIA_HEALTH project has launched two engaging funding opportunities for researchers from the Consortium, especially those focusing on health-related topics and affiliated with the three Widening universities, including NOVA University Lisbon. 

The EUTOPIA_HEALTH is an initiative of nine universities within the EUTOPIA Alliance, aiming to create a novel and innovative framework for integrative academic management of health-related scientific areas. The Consortium comprises: 

Widening universities: Babeș-Bolyai University (Romania), University of Ljubljana (Slovenia), NOVA University Lisbon (Portugal).

Non-Widening universities: Vrije Universiteit Brussel (Belgium), Ca’ Foscari University of Venice (Italy), CY Cergy Paris University (France), University of Gothenburg (Sweden), Pompeu Fabra University-Barcelona (Spain), University of Warwick (United Kingdom).

EUTOPIA_HEALTH Cross-University Mobility Programme for Young Researchers
This program offers short-term research opportunities for PhD students and early-career researchers (within 8 years post-PhD). Applicants must identify a collaborator from a host research lab or center within a Consortium university that aligns with their research interests. The grant supports mobility for one to five months.

Deadline: 31 March 2025

EUTOPIA_HEALTH Seed Funding Call

This call supports two transdisciplinary research projects, each led by a researcher from NOVA, who is responsible for proposal submission. This Researcher Lead must have a PhD degree and at least four years’ post-PhD experience. Each project has a budget of €120.000 (including indirect costs) and a 24-month implementation period. Teams must include members from at least three Consortium universities, including the Lead from NOVA University Lisbon.  

Deadline: 30 May 2025

Please note the following information when applying:  

Registration on the EUTOPIA_HEALTH Research Map is mandatory. This tool facilitates the identification of potential hosts, partners and collaborators within the Consortium.

For questions or further details about the application process, please contact nova.research@unl.pt. 

Conference on Digital Health and Innovation: “Today, practically all healthcare is digital, but we will continue to need to keep the human in the process”

5 de March, 2025

The digitalisation of healthcare is an undeniable reality, but the human component remains essential. This was one of the key messages of the “Health and Digital Innovation” conference, held at the Rectorate Auditorium of NOVA University Lisbon, bringing together experts to discuss the challenges and opportunities of technological transformation in the sector.

Professor Cláudio Soares, Pró-reitor da NOVA para a área da Saúde

At the opening of the event, Cláudio Soares, Vice-Rector for the NOVA Health platform, emphasised: “Today, practically all healthcare is digital. But we are also fully aware of the importance of keeping the human element throughout the process.” Meanwhile, José Paulo Santos, professor and researcher at NOVA FCT, highlighted the ethical challenges and the need to integrate technological tools effectively into the sector. “This revolution brings ethical challenges and the integration of tools that promise effective solutions for the future of the sector,” he added.

Sérgio Laranjo, researcher at NOVA Medical School, reinforced the inevitability of the digital path: “Digital Health is the only way forward,” reminding that this process began decades ago and raises legal and ethical issues, particularly regarding data sharing across multiple platforms. “The sky will be the limit, but we can go much further, and in 10 years we will be using completely different systems,” he noted. Quoting Michio Kaku, professor of theoretical physics at City University of New York, he highlighted that “the two major industries that are prime targets for digitalisation are Education and Medicine.” However, he stressed, “we must keep humans in the loop, because digitalisation should free us from bureaucracy to do our job better.”

The roundtable “The Role of Wearable Devices in the Personalization of Healthcare” reflected on how wearable devices can improve healthcare, provided they are accompanied by greater health literacy, as highlighted by Ana Londral, director of coLAB Value For Health. “A patient with access to such devices can generate data and only then be observed in a hospital setting. But for all this to work, we all need more health literacy, to avoid panic or overconfidence,” she warned.

In the afternoon, discussions focused on the challenges of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in healthcare. Vera Lucia Raposo, from NOVA School of Law, addressed legal issues, while Ana Londral stressed the need for effective communication protocols. Leonardo Vanneschi, from Nova Information Management School, pointed out how AI can improve diagnostics and prognostics, identifying details that might otherwise go unnoticed.

The event concluded with a call to train new generations of healthcare professionals in the use of AI. “Telling someone not to use AI is like telling them not to use the internet,” the panel concluded, reinforcing that technology should be an ally in improving healthcare. As Hugo Gamboa of NOVA FCT – who, along with Professors Nuno Neuparth and Leonardo Vanneschi, participated in the latest episode of the NOVAHealth Talks – UNL podcast dedicated to artificial intelligence in health – concluded, “the doctor will have the noblest role”.

At the end of the conference, Teresa Magalhães, a professor at NOVA’s National School of Public Health, where she directs the Specialisation Courses in Hospital Administration and Digital Health, highlighted some of the main challenges of artificial intelligence in healthcare, stressing the importance of data quality, its interoperability and also the need for regulation to ensure responsible use. But that’s not all: she also mentioned the importance of training – both for healthcare professionals who need to understand how AI works, and for IT specialists who need knowledge of medical data.

Teresa Magalhães also advocated for digital literacy, involving citizens in the adoption of these technologies, and reiterated the importance of digital health as a broader ecosystem, where AI is just one of many solutions. At the very end, concluded by expressing the hope that this conference would be a source of inspiration and that, at a future meeting, participants would be able to present concrete progress in their projects and contribute to solving real challenges in the healthcare system.

Open days at NOVA 2025: come and meet our schools and institutes

5 de March, 2025

These days are, par excellence, moments when future students can get to know better the spaces and all the educational offers of the University, whether at undergraduate or postgraduate level. Here are the dates already scheduled.

14 March – NOVA FCSH

Doors open at 13:00 and until 18:00 there will be presentations of Masters and Postgraduate Courses for the academic year 2025-2026, organised by department. Participants who register at the check-in counter will be entitled to a refund of the third part of the registration fee if they are placed and complete the registration. Registration for Masters courses is open until 28 March (first phase) and from 31 March to 16 June (second phase). For postgraduate studies, registration is open from 6 to 21 April.

For more information, please visit the event link

15 March – ITQB NOVA

Under the motto “Science Mission: Asking is the first step”, we will open our doors between 10am and 5pm and invite everyone to learn more about the science that goes on at our institute. From lab tours to talks with scientists, hands-on experiences and even a science escape room, there will be activities for all ages and free admission. The programme, which is currently being updated, is available here.

More information here

2 April – Nova SBE (Online)

NOVA School of Business and Economics will offer two moments to serve all audiences.

The first will take place online at 15:00 and can be accessed via this link

More information on the Nova SBE website

30 April – NOVA FCT

Like last year, Expo FCT will offer courses inspired by great scientists and engineers. As always, more than 100 activities will showcase the courses and areas of the College. What’s new this year is that there will be a session dedicated exclusively to secondary school teachers.

More information at the website

6 May – NOVA Medical School

A very special afternoon is announced for all those interested in the Master’s degrees in Medicine and Nutrition: from 17:30 to 19:30, it will also be possible to talk to the teaching team and, at the same time, get to know the premises of NOVA Medical School.

More information here!

9 May – NOVA Medical School

Three days after that, there will be a whole morning to present the degree in Medicine and Nutrition, to experience the unique environment of NOVA Medical School (NMS) and talk to those who make a difference: students, professors and researchers. Register here before 20 April!

More information at the NMS website

9 May – IHMT NOVA

Themed “A Day with Science and Tropical Health”, this is an excellent opportunity to learn about the institution’s impact on global health and tropical medicine. Through guided tours, hands-on experiences and interactions with experts, participants will be able to explore IHMT NOVA’s research, clinical services, laboratories, museum and library, and training.

More information on the event page

9/10 May – NOVA IMS

Two days, two different editions, for those interested in areas such as Data Science, Information Management or Information Systems and Technologies. First, there is an Open Day Student’s Edition, between 2pm and 5pm; then, an Open Day Family Edition, between 10am and 12:30pm.

More information on the website

16 May – NOVA School of Law

Those interested in finding out more about studying law can take the opportunity to visit the campus and talk to students and professors who will be on hand to answer any questions, as well as alumni who will allow them to discover the variety of professional opportunities available.

More information at its website

16 May – NOVA FCSH

Starting at 12:30 pm, this initiative allows you to learn about the 14 Bachelor’s degrees offered by NOVA FCSH. You can ask questions during the presentation sessions and meet your future colleagues, as well as seeing the space that will be your future home. You will also have the opportunity to visit the Student Association (AEFCSH) and some student groups at NOVA FCSH during the day.

More information is available here

19 May – Nova SBE (in person)

The in-person version of Nova SBE’s Open Day is scheduled to start at 3pm.

Anyone interested can register here

NOVA professors secure €2.7 million grant to support science-based investigative journalism

27 de February, 2025

Four professors from NOVA University in Lisbon, together with the European Journalism Centre in the Netherlands, have just been awarded a €2.7 million grant from the European Union’s Creative Europe programme to support science-based investigative journalism projects.

The programme, which will run across Europe over the next two years, is called Journalism and Science Alliance, and its key feature is that participating teams must include at least one journalist and one scientist.

“The aim is for scientists to support journalistic investigations with scientific work journalistic investigations,” explains António Granado, professor at the Faculty of Social Sciences and Humanities (NOVA FCSH) and project leader. “This fact will make it possible to study more complex issues and ensure the reliability of the information of the information reported”.

For Ana Sanchez, professor at the Institute of Chemical and Biological Technology at NOVA and also a member of the project, the programme offers an “extraordinary opportunity” for collaboration between scientists and journalists: “Investigative journalism, enriched by scientific research, also strengthens the role of science in society and highlights the importance of facts and evidence-based explanations.”

Paulo Nuno Vicente and Pedro Coelho, both professors at NOVA FCSH, are the other members of the members of the team responsible for this programme, which hopes to support around 75 investigative journalism projects over the next two years. For now, the NOVA team and the European Journalism Centre will prepare the programme rules and launch the first call for projects before the start of summer 2025.

“The awarding of this grant reinforces the role that NOVA has played in promoting quality journalism in Portugal and, from now on, in other European countries,” says João Sàágua, Rector of NOVA University of Lisbon. “It is also a recognition of the importance that higher education institutions can play in combating misinformation.”

NOVA launches Science2Market programme: Find out how to turn your research into a successful business project

26 de February, 2025

This is an innovative programme designed to stimulate scientific research and transform breakthrough ideas into successful business projects – offering personalised guidance to develop effective go-to-market strategies, transforming research results into high-impact innovations.

Promoted by NOVA University Lisbon and supported by the collaborative efforts of NOVA’s Knowledge Transfer Offices (KTO) (NOVA Impact – Rectorate, IRIS – NOVA FCT, InnoValue – NMS and InnOValley – ITQB NOVA), this initiative provides a solid platform for PhD students, researchers and innovators to accelerate their journey from scientific discovery to market-ready innovation.

Applications are open until 26 March.
More information and applications

LECTEU: The NOVA reading club exploring contemporary European literature is back: register here!

25 de February, 2025

Registrations are now open for another semester of reading, discussions, and discoveries. LECTEU invites the entire NOVA community to join freely in the sessions, selecting the books that interest them most.

This semester, the central theme remains freedom, explored through works by authors from countries that are part of EUTOPIA, the European alliance to which NOVA belongs. Sessions are held in both Portuguese and English, creating a multicultural space for sharing and debate.

The books for this semester are:

The wind whistles in the cranes by Lídia Jorge (Portugal)
Oldladyvoice by Elisa Victoria (Spain)
The appointment by Herta Müller (Romania)
War and turpentine by Stefan Hertmans (Belgium)

The first session is scheduled for 26 March at the Campolide Campus (location and time to be confirmed), dedicated to Lídia Jorge’s novel.

Published in 2002, the novel deals with social and political issues, highlighting moments of racism, intolerance and xenophobia. Set in Valmares, a fictional village in the Algarve, it tells the story of Milena Leandro, a 34-year-old woman suffering from schizophrenia who observes the world like a child. While her family is on holiday, Milena decides to host a group of Cape Verdean immigrants in the family’s old canning factory.

The book received the Grand Prize for Novels and Short Stories from the Portuguese Writers’ Association (2002), the Correntes d’Escritas/Casino da Póvoa Prize (2004), the Public Prize of the European Literary Salon in Cognac (2005) and the Albatroz Literary Prize from the Günter Grass Foundation (2005).

To register, please fill out the form here.
If you have any questions, email us at lecteu@unl.pt.
Follow for updates on Instagram: LECTEU.

Join the NOVA community and embark on this literary journey!

SUPERNOVA: Welcome, Spring Semester 2025 Class

25 de February, 2025

The SUPERNOVA Program Welcome Session marked the beginning of the academic journey for 87 students, with 31 participants attending the event. These 31 students represent an impressive total of 17 different nationalities, including Russia, Colombia, Iran, China, the United States, Ecuador, Angola, India, Venezuela, Mozambique, Ukraine, Portugal, Vietnam, Norway, Israel, Brazil and Kazakhstan.

The SUPERNOVA Pre-University Programme aims to prepare international students for higher education at NOVA and other European universities. With a structured academic path, the programme facilitates adaptation to the European educational system and ensures essential skills for the chosen undergraduate degree. Direct admission to the selected undergraduate programme is guaranteed for those who meet the progression criteria. The programme includes specific subjects, support units, and English or Portuguese classes, depending on the students’ proficiency levels. Teaching is provided by NOVA faculty, ensuring academic quality and personalized support.

For more information, visit SUPERNOVA

The 3rd edition of the EUTOPIA Doctoral Summer School 2025 is coming up. Find out here how to apply!

24 de February, 2025

The EUTOPIA Doctoral Summer School is a summer school that provides an immersive experience for doctoral students from different fields of knowledge, promoting interdisciplinary work and the construction of innovative research projects.

Taking place again at the Convento da Arrábida from 18 to 22 July, the programme includes plenary sessions with renowned experts, teamwork with the support of experienced mentors, and a unique learning and collaborative environment. Throughout the week, participants will be challenged to develop an interdisciplinary project, culminating in a final presentation that will reward the best work.

The course is coordinated by Professor Paula Macedo (NOVA Medical School), in collaboration with Professor Kevin Gallagher (NOVA School of Science and Technology) and Professor Iva Miranda Pires (NOVA School of Social Sciences and Humanities).

Set in a privileged location overlooking the sea, the Convento da Arrábida provides the perfect setting for reflection and inspiration. As Friar Martinho de Santa Maria described in 1542, “If I’m not in Heaven, I’m in its suburbs.” In this spirit, the EUTOPIA Doctoral Summer School challenges PhD students to broaden their scientific horizons.

More information and applications here!

Join NOVA’s technical workshops on carbon footprinting for universities

13 de February, 2025

Want to know about the carbon footprint of your university? Is your university looking to advance its climate action strategy?

As part of the Route Zero project, NOVA invites the Portuguese Higher Education Institutions to a series of technical workshops to provide hands-on guidance on calculating, projecting, and reducing its carbon footprints. The workshops are the opportunity to learn from NOVA University experience, exchange insights with peers, and build a strong network for sustainability in higher education.

Why Participate?

Gain practical knowledge on carbon footprint assessment and reduction tailored to HEIs.
Learn from NOVA’s key takeaways.
Connect with other institutions working towards climate neutrality.
Strengthen your HEI’s role in Portugal’s sustainability transition.

Workshop Schedule:

March 14, 9:30 a.m. | How to Calculate the Carbon Footprint of your HEI
(I) Methodology, data, metrics, and support tools
(II) NOVA key takeaways

March 28, 9:30 a.m. | How to Project the Carbon Footprint of your HEI in the Future
(I) Methodology, data, and support tools
(II) NOVA key takeaways

April 11, 9:30 a.m. | How to Reduce the Carbon Footprint of your HEI, Creating Value and Impact
(I) Scope, good practices of action and collaboration
(II) NOVA key takeaways

The workshops are 1,5h online sessions, in Portuguese language and free of charge. Registration is required, and registered participants will receive the access link via email.

Don’t miss the opportunity to gain actionable tools and collaborate on solutions for a net-zero future of Higher Education Institutions.

Save your spot here!

Here comes SUPERNOVA Summer School 2025: open applications

12 de February, 2025

SUPERNOVA Summer School is an immersive programme for students aged 16-19, designed to ease the transition between high school and university. Held in Lisbon, it offers practical projects, workshops and real laboratory experiences.

The programme takes place in two separate weeks: 6-12 July and 13-19 July, and is an opportunity to explore interests, develop essential skills and discover potential academic and career paths.

View the 2024 edition here

Registration until 20 May

Find out more at supernovasummerschool.unl.pt

3rd edition of the award Acting Differently at NOVA (ADN): find out how to apply!

12 de February, 2025

The registration period is open once again for the Agir Diferente na NOVA (DNA) Award, which aims to encourage innovation at the university and recognise best practices already implemented.

Until the 25th of March, projects developed by teams made up of technical, administrative and managerial staff from NOVA University Lisbon can apply for the award.

Up to three prizes of 2,500 euros each may be awarded to the most outstanding projects.

Up to 3 honourable mentions may also be awarded to recognise other organisational innovation projects.

Find out more here

For questions and clarifications about the competition, please contact: adn@unl.pt

Zahi Hawass at NOVA: “Come and visit Egypt: we are making incredible discoveries”

10 de February, 2025

For an hour and a half, the world’s greatest expert on Egyptology took us on a tour of the latest discoveries made during excavations at the pyramids.

“I am a lucky man. I have been working there, in the pyramids, all my life,” he said at the beginning of the event that filled the auditorium of the NOVA University of Lisbon this Saturday (8th).

The lecture, entitled “New discoveries about the pyramids, Tutankhamun and the Golden City”, was part of the celebrations of 50 years of diplomatic relations between Portugal and Egypt – and the visit to Lisbon of Zahi Hawass, who has also been an honorary doctor of NOVA since 2011, was jointly promoted by the university and the Embassy of the Arab Republic of Egypt in Portugal.

Proud of an unprecedented career, Hawass stressed several times that his discoveries are “absolutely incredible” and that this is more than enough reason to visit Egypt – also revealing that this was the moment chosen to launch the Egypt-Portugal Year of Tourism 2025.

“Thank you for choosing NOVA for this moment,” thanked João Sàágua, Rector of NOVA, at the beginning of the session, recalling that the university has a very special relationship with Egypt: “Not only is it the birthplace of one of our emeritus professors – Salwa Castelo Branco – it is also where NOVA Cairo has been based for several years, the only campus of a Portuguese university abroad”.

But that’s not all: it was Zahi Hawass, as Egypt’s Minister of Antiquities, who authorised the first excavations by NOVA researchers in Egypt, a milestone for the team led by Maria Helena Trindade Lopes, Professor of the History of Oriental Antiquity and specialist in Egyptology.

Wael El-Naggar, Egypt’s Ambassador to Portugal, expressed his gratitude and returned the compliments: “These are important milestones in the bilateral relations between the two countries, which is why we have chosen this year as the Year of Portugal-Egypt Tourism”, and made the appeal that Hawass would later repeat: “Come, it is a safe country”.

While the audience marvelled at the results of research carried out in emblematic places such as the Valley of the Kings, Saqqara and Giza – explored with the help of robots that sweep the tunnels found inside them – Zahi Hawass also made other curious revelations: “I am often asked if I am not afraid to go inside,” he commented, adding: “And I understand the question. But when I go down the cable, I don’t think about anything else but getting there”.

In the end, Hawass not only showed photographs alongside several celebrities who have visited the sites of his research – from Barack Obama to Bill Gates, including Shakira – but also stressed that all the artefacts found are in the Grand Museum, the name given to the Grand Egyptian Museum, which has already been partially inaugurated and houses the largest archaeological collection in the world. “It’s for everyone to see. These discoveries belong to everyone.

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