Paulo Pereira elected Rector of NOVA University Lisbon with vision centred on EUTOPIA

Lisbon, 16 September 2025 — The General Council of NOVA University Lisbon has elected Professor Paulo Pereira as Rector for the 2025–2029 term.

Pereira, currently Research Coordinator at NOVA Medical School, has a distinguished career in biomedical sciences. He studied Biochemistry at the University of Coimbra, where he also completed his PhD in Cellular Biology and Habilitation in Vision Sciences. His research on degenerative retinal diseases has taken him to University College London and Tufts University in Boston.

He later led the Centre for Ophthalmology and Vision Sciences at the University of Coimbra and served as Vice-President of Portugal’s Foundation for Science and Technology (FCT) between 2012 and 2015, representing the country in European research policy bodies. Since joining NOVA in 2016, Pereira has coordinated iNOVA4Health, rated “Excellent” by the FCT, and played a central role in NOVA’s COVID-19 response. He is also the founder of the international master’s programme in NOVA Biomedical Research.

Action Plan

In his Action Plan, Pereira outlines four priorities: Participation and Belonging, Ambition and Achievement, Proximity and Leadership, and Responsibility and Commitment. Proposals include the creation of a Centre for Pedagogical Innovation, an expanded Doctoral School, new social innovation initiatives, modernised student housing and sports facilities, and a unified digital platform to streamline academic and administrative services.

Sustainability and digital transformation are highlighted as cross-cutting commitments, with measures such as energy-efficient campuses, expanded student residences and integrated digital tools.

EUTOPIA in focus

A central element of Pereira’s vision is NOVA’s role in EUTOPIA, the European University Alliance of which it is a founding member. The plan links the university’s teaching and research strategies to the alliance, emphasising hybrid education, doctoral training and joint academic programmes.

Pereira writes in his programme:

“EUTOPIA offers NOVA the opportunity to deepen joint programmes, promote integrated mobility, share resources and co-create strategies in teaching, research and innovation,”

He also pledges to consolidate NOVA’s European networks while reinforcing cooperation with Portuguese-speaking countries, positioning the university as both globally connected and nationally relevant.

A new chapter

Paulo Pereira’s election signals the start of a new cycle for NOVA University Lisbon. With his experience in research, governance and international cooperation, he sets out to strengthen NOVA’s identity, deepen its European integration, and project it as a more open, sustainable and globally engaged university — firmly anchored within the EUTOPIA alliance.