The NOVA National School of Public Health (NOVA NSPH) and the Euromed University of Fes have signed an institutional cooperation agreement aimed at strengthening Euro-Mediterranean collaboration in higher education, research and capacity building, with a particular focus on Public Health and Health Management.
The agreement brings together two institutions with complementary missions, academic profiles and geographical positioning, reinforcing their shared commitment to addressing common health and societal challenges across the Euro-Mediterranean region.
At a time when public health systems face increasingly complex pressures, from demographic change and climate-related health risks to digital transformation, health inequalities, workforce challenges and the need for more resilient health systems, the new partnership will create opportunities for structured cooperation between Portugal, Morocco and the wider Euro-Mediterranean space.
The collaboration will cover several areas, including joint research projects, scientific publications, dissemination of results, mobility of students, faculty and specialised technical staff, cooperation in existing courses, and the development of new courses, modules and training programmes.
The agreement also foresees the joint organisation of seminars, workshops, conferences and summer schools, as well as initiatives focused on knowledge transfer, staff development, institutional capacity building and the international visibility of both institutions.
For Sónia Dias, Dean of NOVA NSPH, this agreement reflects the School’s commitment to international cooperation and to the development of new forms of academic and scientific collaboration in public health.
“This partnership with the Euromed University of Fes is an important step in strengthening Euro-Mediterranean cooperation in Public Health and Health Management. Many of the challenges we face today are shared across regions and require collaborative, interdisciplinary and internationally connected responses. By bringing together our academic, scientific and institutional capacities, we can create new opportunities for students, researchers and professionals, and contribute to more sustainable, equitable and resilient health systems,” said Sónia Dias.
The first activities to be developed under the agreement will include collaboration around NOVA NSPH’s new Bachelor’s Degree in Global Public Health, particularly in dissemination, student recruitment, internships and international mobility opportunities. The institutions will also work towards the development of a joint postgraduate offer, responding to emerging needs in Public Health, Health Management and capacity building for health systems.
The Euromed University of Fes, with its Euro-Mediterranean mission and strong commitment to intercultural dialogue, academic cooperation, innovation and sustainable development, represents a strategic partner for NOVA NSPH in strengthening links between Europe and North Africa in areas of shared relevance.
For Mostapha Bousmina, President of the Euromed University of Fes, this agreement embodies the University’s dedication to cross-border academic excellence and to pioneering new frontiers in public health education and research.
“This partnership with NOVA NSPH marks a significant milestone in strengthening Euro-Mediterranean synergies in Public Health and Health Management. Today’s complex health challenges transcend national borders; they require integrated, interdisciplinary, and trans-regional solutions. By uniting our academic resources, research infrastructures, and institutional visions, we are opening new horizons for our students, faculty, and health professionals while actively building more sustainable, inclusive, and resilient healthcare systems for our shared regions,” said Mostapha Bousmina.
For both institutions, the agreement is expected to strengthen their position within national, regional and international higher education and public health ecosystems, while opening the way for long-term cooperation between two regions connected by shared challenges and opportunities.
