Strengthening European Cooperation between Neapolis University Pafos and Fernando Pessoa University

The Department of Psychology at Neapolis University Pafos welcomed Professor Rute F. Meneses, Associate Professor with Habilitation, Clinical and Health Psychologist from Fernando Pessoa University (UFP) in Porto, as part of the development of new academic and research collaborations between the two institutions.

Professor Meneses met with Professor Marios Argyrides, Professor of Counselling Psychology, Vice-Rector for Community and EMERGE European University Alliance Engagement and Head of the Department of Psychology. The meeting focused on developing collaboration between the two universities in the fields of Psychology, Public Health and translational research.

The discussions explored opportunities for joint research projects, research proposals and academic publications, as well as comparative studies between Cyprus and Portugal. The two sides also discussed participation in European and international funding initiatives and the exchange of expertise between research teams.

Particular attention was given to translational research, with a focus on connecting research findings with practical applications and supporting the development of interventions in the areas of health, mental health and well-being.

In the areas of education and mobility, three main areas of collaboration were identified: the development of an Erasmus+ framework for two-way student and academic staff mobility, the mapping of Psychology courses across the two universities, and the networking of faculty members based on shared research and academic interests.

Professor Rute F. Meneses is a researcher at RISE-Health and a member of the Faculty of Human and Social Sciences at Fernando Pessoa University. Her academic and professional work includes Clinical and Health Psychology, health promotion and well-being, as well as language development and related disorders.

The collaboration forms part of Neapolis University Pafos’ broader European orientation and its participation in the EMERGE European University Alliance, which brings together nine universities from eight European countries. Through the Alliance, the University is strengthening opportunities for academic mobility, joint research and inter-university activities.

Professor Meneses’ visit establishes concrete areas for further collaboration between the two universities, with a focus on research, education, mobility and connecting academic knowledge with the needs of society.