Words like organization, resilience, and discipline echoed through the Rectorate's hall before the start of the Sports Merit Scholarships award ceremony. The auditorium filled with talent and merit, bringing together dozens of students from all NOVA schools who excel in various sports, including athletics, basketball, canoeing, gymnastics, hockey, judo, karate, swimming, taekwondo, archery, and triathlon.
This commitment by the NOVA University of Lisbon to recognize the dual academic and athletic commitment has been ongoing for ten years. The Sports Merit Scholarship aims to value students who excel in representing the University in university competitions of excellence, both nationally and internationally.
The University's Rector, Paulo Pereira, emphasized the importance of integral education, stating that “educating individuals capable of thinking, researching, creating, and transforming society also implies providing experiences that go beyond the classroom.” Quoting Nelson Mandela, he highlighted that “sport is one of those experiences” and that “investing in university sport (…) is part of our responsibility as a university”.
The ceremony was attended by several members of the rectorate team, including Vice-Rectors Cecília Roque and Emília Monteiro, Pro-Rectors José Branco, Catarina Fortuna, Elsa Peralta, and Manuela Aparício, as well as directors and representatives from all schools, such as José Alferes, Alexandra Curvelo, Miguel de Castro Neto, Filomeno Fortes, Pedro Brinca, Ana Sanchez, Jorge Morais de Carvalho, Pedro Rodrigues, and Carlos Brandão. Also present were NOVA's administrator, Ana Rita Marante, and the administrator of SASNOVA, João Afonso.
Beyond individual distinctions, NOVA also recognized institutions. In the presence of Ricardo Gonçalves, president of the Portuguese Institute of Sport and Youth (IPDJ), and Diogo Salgado Brás, president of FADU – Academic Federation of University Sport, the Student-Athlete Seal was awarded to all schools for the 2026-2028 biennium. This distinction, created in 2022, acknowledges higher education institutions that promote sports participation.
NOVA's sports results are notable: in the last academic year, the University ranked 4th in the University Clubs Trophy and 2nd in the medal table, with 103 medals won. Currently, over 300 students compete in 29 sports.
Ema Conceição, a Master's student in Biochemistry at NOVA FCT and recently recognized as the fastest woman in Portugal ever in short-course 100m freestyle, shared her experience: “this double life could well be the recipe for disaster, but I have to admit it has given me some of the best moments of my life.” Her speech summarized the challenge of balancing academic life with sports practice.
João Afonso thanked the faculties, student associations, and institutions like the IPDJ and FADU for their support. Recalling the motto of the Physical Activity and Sports Office, he emphasized: “More than sport, this is NOVA spirit.” The mission of SASNOVA is to create community, and sport is a vehicle for this.
