Among the services available at the NOVA FCT Espaço Cidadão (Citizen Space) will be the renewal of driving licenses, change of address on the Citizen Card, application for the European Health Insurance Card, e-invoice services, among many others.
The Faculty of Sciences and Technology of NOVA University Lisbon | NOVA FCT just signed a memorandum of understanding with the Agency for Administrative Modernisation (AMA) to create the first Citizen Space at a higher education institution in Portugal. This milestone represents a significant step in delivering public services within an academic environment.
The Espaço Cidadão initiative aims to centralise various services from different entities into a single service point, facilitating access to essential services from central and local administration as well as public-interest private entities. This new facility at NOVA FCT will allow students, staff, and the local community to handle various administrative matters more conveniently and effectively.
Among the services available at the NOVA FCT Espaço Cidadão will be the renewal of driving licenses, request for new passwords or property tax records from the Tax Authority, submission of expenses to ADSE, employment and professional training matters, change of address on the Citizen Card, application for the European Health Insurance Card, and e-invoice services, among many others.
Currently, there are over 800 Espaço Cidadão spread across Portugal, integrated into Citizen Shops and local administration service points, forming an expanding network. The opening of this new point at NOVA FCT represents a significant advancement in decentralising and improving access to public services, reflecting the institution’s commitment to innovation and excellence in serving the community.
“We are very excited about signing this protocol that will enable the creation of the first Espaço Cidadão at a university. This memorandum of understanding marks a significant milestone not only for our faculty but for all higher education in Portugal,” said José Júlio Alferes, Director of the Faculty of Sciences and Technology of NOVA University Lisbon | NOVA FCT.
The NOVA FCT Espaço Cidadão is expected to open by January 2025, six months after the signing of this protocol between the faculty and AMA.
About the Faculty of Sciences and Technology of NOVA University Lisbon | NOVA FCT:
NOVA FCT is one of Portugal’s leading faculties in Sciences, Engineering, and Technology, renowned for its innovative character and immersed in an entrepreneurial ecosystem characterized by strong links to the business sector and a community of startups. Founded in 1977 in Caparica, its university campus is the largest in the country, with approximately 8,500 students, 501 faculty members, 300 researchers, 243 staff, and over 1,000 projects. The recognition of its educational offerings is reflected in a 100% fill rate of its available positions and an employability rate above average. The distinctive profile of the Faculty of Sciences and Technology of NOVA also emphasizes responding to the dynamics and demands of the job market, valuing the integration of soft skills in its educational dimension through the Curricular Profile.
NOVA FCT is home to 16 research centres recognized by the Foundation for Science and Technology. Its scientific quality is also reflected in its publications in the TOP 10 of major international journals in the field, boasting the highest concentration of CoLABs (9) and European Research Council – ERC Grants (17) among Portuguese educational institutions. This performance has led to the faculty’s integration into prestigious networks such as CESAER, EUTOPIA, University Industry Innovation Network, and Young European Research Universities Network, along with partnerships with European and American universities.
In addition to its existing 15 hectares, the faculty is expanding into the remaining 17 hectares, which includes the Madan Parque science and technology infrastructure. These expansion plans underscore NOVA FCT’s forward-looking approach, anchored in cutting-edge international research.
For more information: https://www.fct.unl.pt/en