The investiture ceremony of the Rector of NOVA, Professor João Sàágua, was held on November 10 in the Rectory's auditorium in the presence of personalities from Portuguese society, students, faculty and staff of NOVA, family and friends. On the same occasion, the Day of NOVA was also celebrated, this year dedicated to Teaching.
The President of NOVA's General Council, Dr. Estela Barbot, who opened the ceremony, emphasized “On this day of celebration, it is important to remember and praise the enormous collective effort made by students, academics and non-academic staff, which has allowed to elevate the good name of this University and make a decisive contribution to its success and to the construction of a more developed, fair and plural society.” Read the full speech here (in PT).
After the investiture, it was the Rector’s turn to deliver his speech. “Continuing the transformation – this is how I understand my second term. In the case of NOVA, continuity means CHANGE.” – this was the motto of Professor João Sàágua’s speech in which he recalled the profound transformation that NOVA began four years ago, involving two distinct but complementary processes: the transition to a public foundation and the consolidation as a global and civic university.
In addition to a summary of the achievements of the previous mandate in the context of the three mission areas – Teaching, Research and Innovation – the Rector listed the challenges for the coming years. Noteworthy are the digital transition process at NOVA, the performance of the strategic platforms NOVA Health, Institute of Art and Technology, NOVA Tourism & Hospitality and NOVA 4 the Globe, as well as the strategic partnerships recently firmed which have translated into the formation of the Campus SUL consortium and the entry in the EUTOPIA European alliance.
Read the Rector’s full speech here (in PT).
On that day, the Rectoral Team was inaugurated. It is formed by the Vice-Rectors: Prof. José Ferreira Machado (Institutional Development), Prof. José Fragata (Health), Prof. Elvira Fortunato (Research), Prof. João Amaro de Matos (Education and International Development), Prof. José Alferes (Digital Transition) and Prof. Isabel Rocha (Innovation and Value Creation); and by the Pro-Rectors: Prof. Isabel Nunes (Adjunct to the Rector for the Strategic Plan and Quality Management) and Prof. Júlia Seixas (Sustainability), the latter now joining the rest of the team that is transitioning from the previous term.
The starting point of the Day of NOVA celebration was the speech delivered by Prof. Doctor Roberto Henriques on Pedagogical Innovation. The voice of students was also heard through Eduardo Freitas, President of the Student Association of the NOVA School of Science and Technology, on behalf of the Student Council.
The event also had a special moment of tribute to those who contributed especially to the formation of talent at NOVA with the attribution of the title of Professor Emeritus to Professor Salwa Castelo Branco, Professor Luís Moniz Pereira and Professor Adriano Rodrigues.
The NOVA Student Ombudsperson, Professor Maria Teresa Alves de Araújo, took office.
During the ceremony, the Pedagogical Innovation Award was announced and its applications are open.
The NOVA Choir and the JurisTuna tuna were in charge of the musical moments.
