Mónica Dias takes office as Director of IEP and Ana Mineiro as Director of FCSE

Mónica Dias is the new director of the Institute for Political Studies (IEP) at Universidade Católica Portuguesa (UCP), succeeding João Carlos Espada. The professor was sworn in at a ceremony on November 7 at the UCP headquarters, where Ana Mineiro was also sworn in as director of the new Faculty of Health Sciences and Nursing.

"I can't fail to point out that I'm swearing in two new women directors," said UCP President Isabel Capeloa Gil. "Católica prides itself on a policy of parity based on merit," she emphasised, adding that Católica is "the most gender-equal university institution in the country, with a balanced representation of both genders, promoting models of leadership that inspire students".

On the occasion, the President took the opportunity to reflect on the legacy of IEP and its founder, João Carlos Espada, whom she thanked for his "courageous leadership" over 26 years. "The Institute for Political Studies has been an institute committed to freedom since its origins. It has become a landmark in Political Studies, not only nationally but also internationally," said Isabel Capeloa Gil.

Regarding the new director, the Rector emphasised "her commitment, her sense of service, her ability to create networks with civil society and the business world, her in-depth knowledge of the University, her spirit of mission and her enormous resilience".

Mónica Dias expressed her gratitude to the President and the former director of the IEP, "two special people who welcomed her with open arms to the University". She thanked Isabel Capeloa Gil for "the trust and all the encouragement of a radiant and contagious light" and João Carlos Espada for "transmitting the values of truth, justice, beauty and, in particular, moderation", because "without moderation, there are no free, open and plural societies, no tolerance and no politics".

For her term, the new director highlighted several objectives, including the creation of a Winter School in Political Theory, the reintroduction of tutoring, and the promotion of research and internationalisation.

At the same ceremony, Ana Mineiro, until then director of the Institute of Health Sciences (ICS), was sworn in as director of the new Faculty of Health Sciences and Nursing, which has taken the place of the former Institute.

Isabel Capeloa Gil said that with the creation of this new faculty, Católica has completed the process of reorganising the Health Sciences area into three autonomous faculties: the Faculty of Dental Medicine in Viseu, the Católica Medical School in Lisbon and now the Faculty of Health Sciences and Nursing, with activity in Lisbon and Porto. "It's the first faculty in Portugal to have a nursing designation," she explained, adding that "Católica has never hesitated to do things differently and innovate."

This is precisely what Ana Mineiro intends to do in her term: "expand and innovate" by building bridges with other University units and external organisations. For Isabel Capeloa Gil, this new project will allow for a more fruitful development in line with the best international practices in an area as important to Católica as Nursing."