At NOVA NSPH I found much more than just a place of learning, I found an environment where I was able to grow on many levels. From my Master’s to my PhD, I took part in national and international projects that resulted in publications and conference presentations. I also took on responsibilities as President of the Students’ Association and as a member of the Pedagogical Council, contributing with initiatives that made a real impact on our community. The close relationship with lecturers, researchers and fellow students made this experience unique, created a lasting bond with NOVA NSPH, and strengthened my confidence in the path I chose to follow.
Francisco Madeira
PhD Student
The Postgraduate in Health Economics and Health Outcomes was essential to complement my training in Pharmaceutical Sciences. The classes, materials, and practical examples provided a comprehensive view of Health Economics, which motivated me to pursue a PhD in Public Health at NOVA NSPH. In addition to the knowledge gained, the sharing of experiences among colleagues was enriching. The course boosted my career, allowing me to better understand the healthcare system and evolve as a hospital pharmacist and now as a research fellow.
Ana Rita Santos
Health Economics Researcher – Value for Health CoLAB
My journey at NSPH began 4 years ago when I joined the Master's programme in Public Health, and has been consolidated until I started my PhD. Along the way, I've had the opportunity to take part in national and international research projects that have made a decisive contribution to my academic and professional growth, allowing me to build a solid and diverse network. I actively participated in the school's associative life, which was an enriching experience, not only because of the teamwork and community spirit, but also because I was able to represent and contribute to the continuous improvement of the student pathway at NSPH. NSPH is not only a place for learning, but also a place for belonging, growth and transformation. And it is with great pride that I am part of this community.
Mariana Corda
PhD Student
The motivation to participate in the Postgraduate Course in Health Economics and Health Outcomes stemmed from the desire to gain a deeper understanding of how the Portuguese healthcare ecosystem functions, particularly in relation to the approval of medicines.
The hybrid format of the classes fits well with an active professional life as a Market Access manager in a pharmaceutical company. The diverse experiences of both the instructors and participants make the sessions collaborative and dynamic.
The National School of Public Health at NOVA University Lisbon (NOVA NSPH) took part in the World Health Organization (WHO) global conference Shaping AI in Health, dedicated to the future of artificial intelligence in health.
NOVA NSPH was represented by Paulo Sousa and Alexandre Lourenço, members of the School’s academic staff and coordinators of the two WHO Collaborating Centres hosted by NOVA NSPH, specialising in quality and patient safety and health management.
Co-organised by WHO/Europe and the Government of Portugal, the conference took place in Lisbon on 15 and 16 July, bringing together representatives from 37 countries, including governments, international organisations, academia, civil society and industry. The event aimed to discuss how to move from political commitment to the practical, responsible, safe, equitable and effective implementation of artificial intelligence in health.
As part of the meeting, Paulo Sousa and Alexandre Lourenço also took part in a restricted panel with ministerial representatives from the CPLP countries, Portugal’s Minister of Health, the WHO Regional Director for Europe, Hans Henri P. Kluge, and the WHO Collaborating Centres in Portugal.
This participation strengthened NOVA NSPH’s contribution to the international discussion on the role of artificial intelligence in transforming health systems, particularly in the areas of governance, quality, safety, management, workforce capacity-building, and the ethical and responsible use of data and digital technologies.
According to Paulo Sousa, NOVA NSPH’s participation in this meeting “reinforces the School’s international recognition, as well as that of its WHO Collaborating Centres, as hubs for knowledge production, technical cooperation and support for improving health systems.” He added: “Artificial intelligence has the potential to bring highly significant opportunities to health, but its implementation must be guided by the principles of safety, equity, transparency and value creation for health professionals, citizens and health systems.”
Alexandre Lourenço highlighted the importance of discussing these issues in an international context and, in particular, within the CPLP. “Artificial intelligence in health is not merely a technological issue. It is also a matter of governance, service organisation, workforce capacity-building and priority-setting. Sharing experiences between countries and institutions is essential to ensure that these solutions address real needs and contribute to more accessible, efficient and resilient health systems,” he said.
NOVA NSPH’s participation in this conference reflects its role as a leading institution in education, research, international cooperation and decision support in Public Health, health policy and health systems. Through its WHO Collaborating Centres, the School strengthens the link between academic knowledge, technical cooperation and responses to the major challenges facing contemporary health systems.
According to WHO, the discussions held in Lisbon will contribute to the next steps in the development and implementation of responsible, safe, equitable and effective artificial intelligence solutions for health, at a time when health systems are facing growing challenges related to digital transformation, sustainability, the organisation of healthcare services and meeting the needs of populations.
Sónia Dias, Director of the National School of Public Health at NOVA University Lisbon (NOVA NSPH), participated in the European meeting “Participatory Approaches to Improve the Health and Wellbeing of Migrants in Europe”, held at the University of Limerick, Ireland. The event was organised as part of the programme associated with the Irish Presidency of the Council of the European Union and focused on participatory approaches to improving the health and wellbeing of migrant populations across Europe.
The event formed part of the programme associated with the Irish Presidency of the Council of the European Union and brought together national and international experts, policymakers, researchers, healthcare professionals, non-governmental organisations and representatives of migrant communities to discuss the role of participation in research, public policy and the organisation of health responses.
Sónia Dias attended the meeting in her capacity as Director of NOVA NSPH and President of the European Public Health Association (EUPHA) Migrant and Ethnic Minority Health Section. She stated: “Promoting the health of populations, including migrant populations, requires responses grounded in scientific evidence, community participation and cross-sector collaboration. This event reinforces the importance of developing policies and practices that promote health equity, contributing to more inclusive, resilient health systems that are better prepared to respond to the diversity of populations.”
The meeting also featured Santino Severoni, Director of the World Health Organization’s Special Initiative for Migration Health, who presented the findings of the latest global report on promoting the health of refugees and migrants. NOVA NSPH’s participation in this international forum reinforces its commitment to Public Health driven by equity, participation and international collaboration.
The initiative was organised by the Refugee and Migrant Health Partnership, a collaboration between the WHO Collaborating Centre for Participatory Health Research with Refugees and Migrants at the University of Limerick and the Department of Health in Dublin. The meeting brought together more than 150 participants from 15 countries.
On 6 July 2026, the electronic voting process was held to elect seven members of the Scientific Council of NOVA NSPH for the 2026-2029 term of office.
The election results are hereby published.
To consult the minutes of the election of the Council members, click here.
In accordance with Article 5 of the Regulations, the period for submitting complaints regarding the electoral process is open until 17:00 on 7 July 2026.
NOVA NSPH will hold elections for the constitution of the new Scientific Council on 6 July 2026. The elections have been called in accordance with the Regulations for the Election of the Members of the Scientific Council, approved by Order of 23 June 2026, following a proposal from the Scientific Council itself.
