NOVA University Lisbon’s evaluation of the hybrid work regime implemented in December 2021

9 de November, 2023

In December 2021, leveraging the learning driven by the pandemic period, the Rectorate and the Social Support Services (SAS) implemented a hybrid work regime, immediately adopted by 30% (47) of the Rectorate workers and 25% (17) of the SAS workers. The rector’s decision was officially published in the deliberation 173/ 2021 and renovated until the end of 2023 (the document is available in the end of the current article). At the end of 2022, 98 workers enjoyed this benefit at the Rectory, corresponding to 61% of the total number of workers. In SAS, the percentage remained at 25%, given the nature of the activity.

This decision was grounded in the recognition that people are the University’s most valuable resource, as mentioned by NOVA’s Strategic Plan 20-30. Attracting and retaining talent was the biggest challenge human resources management faced, particularly after the pandemic has opened the work environment to different possibilities. People started looking for a stronger balance between professional, personal, and family life (work life balance), and a new ‘normal’ had to be implemented.

In 2022, NOVA University Lisbon conducted a survey to evaluate this policy, and the results presented demonstrate a high level of satisfaction with the scheme (90% classify it as Very Good or Excellent) and the willingness of all employees to remain under this scheme.

Among the positive aspects, a few highlights:

  • Time saved with less commuting trips was considered by 61% to be one of the most relevant criteria (more than 40% placed this criterion in 1st place); The cost savings were indicated by 32%;
  • 42% considered work-life balance to be the most appreciated positive factor; 30% named quality of life and well-being;
  • The “Greater Productivity” factor also stands out with 42% and “Higher concentration” with 27%;
  • Increased motivation and greater freedom in managing and executing tasks were considered the most relevant by 26% and 22%, respectively;
  • It should also be noted that 7% of workers considered reducing stress as a relevant factor.

The survey also highlights some negative aspects of this working mode:

  • Less face-to-face contact with colleagues was considered by 67% of workers; this social indicator is complemented by the danger of greater social isolation indicated by 27%;
  • The possibility of working more hours (not disconnecting) and the tendency for excessive employee availability were indicated, respectively, by 62% and 44% of the population;
  • 30% reported difficulties in remote access and internet connection;
  • Less recognition and unequal treatment among workers were valued by, respectively, 19% and 11%, with 12% also considering the lack of clear communication with their manager;
  • It should also be noted that the generation of a negative effect on work-life balance was also pointed out by 14% of respondents.

In summary, NOVA concluded that this was a decision with a very positive impact on workers, but at the same time, with benefits to the employer, in terms of performance, motivation and cost reduction. This assessment was also able to identify areas for continuous fine tuning of this great initiative.

Rector deliberation 173/ 2021

 

The winners of the NOVA 2023 Educational Innovation Award are now revealed. The award ceremony will take place on NOVA Day

7 de November, 2023

The big winner is Professor Francisco Pereira Coutinho, from NOVA School of Law, and there are three other honourable mentions for Professors Leid Zejnilovic, from Nova SBE, and Ricardo Parreira and João Brás da Piedade, both from IHMT. 

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Official Kickoff of NIMSB – NOVA Institute for Medical Systems Biology: towards a holistic view of health 

24 de October, 2023

A meeting at the NOVA rectory brought together those responsible for the project, to be developed in collaboration with the Max Delbrück Centre in Berlin, and seeking to anticipate as far as possible the diagnosis of diseases and, in the light of this, propose a more personalised treatment. 

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NOVA University Lisbon awards the title Doctor Honoris Causa to Gilberto Gil 

19 de September, 2023

NOVA will award the title of Doctor Honoris Causa to the Brazilian musician and composer Gilberto Gil on 31 October. The award comes on the occasion of the university’s 50th anniversary and recognises Gilberto Gil’s extraordinary contribution to international culture and the legacy he has left behind over several decades. 

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Stabilize vitamins and prevent fruit oxidation for up to 48 hours: FCT NOVA research wins ERC grant

31 de July, 2023

Ana Rita Duarte, professor and researcher at the Department of Chemistry at FCT NOVA, has just received her third grant from the ERC (European Research Council), the most prestigious institution for granting funds for scientific and technological research in Europe. 

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ITQB NOVA Day: Researchers, students and staff gathered to celebrate 30 years of the institute's integration into NOVA University Lisbon

4 de July, 2023

During the ceremony, which was attended by NOVA’s Rector, João Sàágua, and the President of the Institute’s Board of Directors, Vera Pires Coelho, the prizes for the best thesis of 2020 and the Early Career Research Awards were awarded, and the members of ITQB NOVA with 25 years at home were honoured.

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Official visit to Rabat: NOVA continues to build (more!) bridges in Africa

3 de July, 2023

As it prepares to send a delegation to Rabat, NOVA is taking new steps in its internationalisation strategy for the Southern Mediterranean region. On the one hand, by strengthening its relations with local higher education institutions and, on the other, by building bridges between them. Whether from the Portuguese-speaking world or its neighbours. To understand the whole process, the key word is cooperation.

 

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8th edition of the Estoril Conferences: two Nobel Prize winners and a Pulitzer among the first confirmed names

29 de June, 2023

Gerard Ryle (2017 Pulitzer Prize), Richard Roberts (1993 Nobel Prize in Medicine) and Aaron Ciechanover (2004 Nobel Prize in Chemistry) are some of the first confirmed speakers at the 8th edition of the Estoril Conferences, on 1 and 2 September, under the theme “Re-humanising our world: Planet, Peace, Politics, People.

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NOVA receives Gold Medal from Almada city in recognition of the importance of the university in the area

22 de June, 2023

Due to the inescapable legacy of the University in this area, the City Council has decided to award the Gold Medal of the City to NOVA University Lisbon. The ceremony took place this Saturday and was attended by the Rector of NOVA, João Sàágua, and the Minister of Science, Technology and Higher Education, Elvira Fortunato. 

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Terrestrial Enhanced Recognition System

25 de May, 2023

IPSTERS is the acronym for IPSentinel Terrestrial Enhanced Recognition System, a project that contributes for an improved land management, by using satellite images, mainly from the constellation Sentinel-1 from ESA.

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NOVA student promotes humanitarian project in Tanzania 

24 de May, 2023

Founded by António Sá Rodrigues, a philosophy student at NOVA FCSH, the Associação Desconforto Consciente is raising funds for a project that aims to improve the lives of students at a public school in Chamazi, in the region of Dar es Salam, the country’s largest and most populous city. Find out how you can help 

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Nova SBE Executive Education in the World’s Top 18 of the Financial Times ranking 

23 de May, 2023

Nova School of Business & Economics (Nova SBE) has climbed four places to reach the best position ever achieved by a Portuguese school – 18th in the world – according to the Financial Times, which has just published its ranking of business schools from around the world that offer executive education. 

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Here comes the EUTOPIA WEEK Lisbon 2023 

22 de May, 2023

The next meeting of EUTOPIA European University is at NOVA University Lisbon. Learn all about the meeting of the alliance of ten European universities of which NOVA is part and that takes place in Lisbon between 19th and 23rd June under the theme A Better Europe  

 

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Doing good for health and environment

5 de May, 2023

NOVA FCSH established a partnership with the Associação Electrão | Confiar para Reciclar by joining the “Todos pelo IPO” campaign, with the aim of promoting the recycling of electrical and electronic equipment.

For this purpose, an eco-island was installed on the 1st floor of Tower B with three containers for depositing batteries, small equipment, and lamps.

The correct recycling of equipment reduces the amount of electronic waste harmful to the environment and human health. The action mobilized the academic community and raised awareness of the importance of recycling and the proper disposal of electrical and electronic equipment, also helping to promote better healthcare provision by supporting the IPO.

In total, through this partnership with Associação Electrão | Confiar para Reciclar, 1952 kg of electrical equipment waste was collected, with household appliances being the most collected equipment.

This initiative contributes directly to target 12.5 of SDG 12 Responsible consumption and production.