Team
Meet the A3ES team and the different areas that support the agency’s activities.
Management Board
João Sàágua
President of the Management Board
Biography
João de Deus Santos Sàágua was Full Professor of Logic at Faculdade de Ciências Sociais e Humanas (FCSH), of Universidade Nova de Lisboa (NOVA), where he worked for 45 years. He was director of FCSH between 2005 and 2013. He was vice-rector for academic and international affairs between 2014 and 2017. He served as rector of the Universidade Nova de Lisboa between 2017 and 2025. He is the President of the A3ES Management Board since October 2025.
João Queiroz
Executive Member of the Management Board
Biography
João Queiroz is an Executive Member of the A3ES Management Board since December 2020. He is Full Professor of Biochemistry/Biotechnology at the Universidade da Beira Interior since 2003. He has a degree in Biochemistry, Universidade de Coimbra, a master’s degree in Biotechnology (Biochemistry Engineering), Instituto Superior Técnico, a PhD degree in Chemistry, University of Beira Interior, with DSc (Habilitation) in the area of Biochemistry, Universidade of Beira Interior. He has the Advanced Course in Public Management, CAGEP, INA. He was President of the Faculty of Health Sciences at UBI (2002-2009). He was Rector of the Universidade da Beira Interior (2009-2013). He served as Director-General for Higher Education (2014-2020).
Helena Avelino
Executive Member of the Management Board
Biography
Executive Member of the A3ES Management Board since December 2020. She is a Coordinator Professor at Instituto Superior de Engenharia de Lisboa – Instituto Politécnico de Lisboa. She is the President of the National College of Chemical and Biological Engineering for the 2025/2028 term. She holds a PhD in Chemical Engineering from Instituto Superior Técnico. Field of research is Engineering Sciences and Technologies with an emphasis on Chemical Engineering, particularly in thermophysical properties.
Anália Torres
Non-Executive Member of the Management Board
Biography
She holds a PhD in Sociology and is a retired full professor; she founded and serves as Director Emerita of the Interdisciplinary Centre for Gender Studies (CIEG) at ISCSP, Universidade de Lisboa. She served as President of the European Sociological Association (2009–2011) and the Portuguese Sociological Association (2002–2006). Her experience includes serving on evaluation panels for the European Research Council (ERC), among others. She has been a non-executive member of the A3ES Management Board since 2020 and a member of the CNECV since 2023.
An expert on gender and family issues, she has developed doctoral, master’s, and postgraduate programmes in these fields. She has coordinated research projects within national and international networks—most recently under Horizon 2020 and Horizon Europe, as well as EEA Grants. She is the author, co-author, and editor of over 20 books and 80 book chapters and articles in national and international scientific journals. She was awarded the Medal of Scientific Merit in 2023.
Miguel Faria
Non-Executive Member of the Management Board
Biography
Miguel Filipe Ferreira Figueira de Faria was born in Lisbon, in the parish of Santa Isabel, on August 30, 1957. He is a Full Professor in the Department of History, Arts, and Humanities at Universidade Autónoma de Lisboa and a permanent researcher at the Institute of Art History of Universidade Nova de Lisboa.
He holds a PhD Habil in Art History from the Faculty of Arts and Humanities of Universidade do Porto and completed executive training at the Saïd Business School, University of Oxford (The Entrepreneurial University Leadership Programme, 2010–2011). Throughout his career, he has held various academic and institutional management roles. He served as Director of the Department of History, Arts, and Humanities at Universidade Autónoma de Lisboa (2015–2020) and was a member of the Board of Directors of the Cooperativa de Ensino Universitário—the founding entity of that university—for two decades, with responsibilities in the areas of academic administration, innovation, and strategic planning (1993–2013). He served as Vice-President of the Portuguese Association of Private Higher Education (APESP) for three consecutive terms (2006–2009, 2009–2012, and 2012–2015) and was a member of the A3ES Advisory Board (2010–2015) and the National Council for Education(2011–2015). In the latter role, he participated in the specialized commission on Higher Education and Research and the Ad Hoc Commission for the study and debate of state reform in the fields of education and higher education. A Corresponding Academician of the National Academy of Fine Arts, he publishes works in the fields of Art History, Urban Planning, Heritage Studies, Lisbon Studies (*Olisiponenses*), History of the Book, History of Colonial Brazil, and Business History.
Teresa Restivo
Non-Executive Member of the Management Board
Biography
Maria Teresa Restivo holds a degree in Physics (specializing in Solid-State Physics, pre-Bologna system) and a PhD in Engineering Sciences from Universidade do Porto. She pursued an academic career spanning over four decades at Universidade do Porto’s Faculty of Engineering (FEUP) in the fields of automation, instrumentation, and control, balancing teaching, research, innovation, and university management. She is a member of LAETA research groups, working on intelligent systems, medical devices, biomechanics, immersive technologies, and collaborative robot-assisted rehabilitation. She has driven pedagogical innovation in engineering through digital technologies, launching FEUP’s first e-learning course and leading initiatives in remote experimentation, virtual reality, and augmented reality. She has authored or co-authored over 170 scientific papers, books, book chapters, and patents involving technology transfer. She has served as president of national (SPEE) and international (IGIP) engineering education societies and was a board member of the IEEE Education Society Portugal. She currently chairs the IGIP International Advisory Board and serves on the IAOE Scientific Advisory Board.
Secretary-General
Raquel Santos
Secretary-General
raquelsantos@a3es.pt
Biography
Raquel Santos has been the Secretary-General of A3ES since January 2026. She manages assessment and accreditation processes under the European Approach for Quality Assurance of Joint Programmes, as well as other international quality assurance processes in higher education.
She holds a PhD in Political Science from the University of Aveiro (2010). She worked as a project coordinator at A3ES, supporting higher education assessment and accreditation procedures. She also managed the International Relations Office of a Portuguese higher education institution, where she coordinated academic cooperation and internationalization initiatives. In the beginning of her professional career, she worked in the private sector in the field of regional strategic development.
Assessment and Accreditation
Ana Costa
Quality assessment advisor
ana.costa@a3es.pt
Biography
Ana Costa has been a quality assessment advisor at A3ES since 2022. She manages the assessment and accreditation processes of higher education institutions, and study programmes with a particular focus on computer sciences and other exact sciences.
She holds a PhD in Biomedical Sciences from the University of Porto and a master’s degree in Pharmaceutical Sciences.
Daniela Coelho
Quality assessment advisor
daniela.coelho@a3es.pt
Biography
Daniela Coelho has been a quality assessment advisor at A3ES since 2023, where she manages the assessment and accreditation processes of higher education institutions, and study programmes within the humanities and law. She also acts as secretary to the A3ES Appeals Council.
She holds a PhD in Literature and Cultural Studies, specialising in English Studies, from the School of Arts at the University of Lisbon. Before joining A3ES, she worked at the University of Lisbon Centre for English Studies. She has also taught at primary, secondary and higher education levels.
Giovanni Saponaro
Quality assessment advisor
giovanni.saponaro@a3es.pt
Biography
He joined A3ES in 2026. He manages the assessment and accreditation processes of higher education institutions and their study programmes. He also contributes to digital transformation initiatives within A3ES.
He holds a PhD in Electrical and Computer Engineering from Instituto Superior Técnico. Before joining A3ES, he conducted research in robotics, computer vision, machine learning, and artificial intelligence. He then worked for international technology companies, where he developed software solutions for computer vision and artificial intelligence products.
Filipa Ferreira
Quality assessment advisor
filipa.ferreira@a3es.pt
Biography
Filipa Ferreira has been a quality assessment advisor at A3ES since 2023, where she manages the assessment and accreditation processes of higher education institutions, and their study programmes. Her work has focused particularly on the areas of health sciences, therapy and rehabilitation, and life and environmental sciences.
She holds a PhD in Biomedical Sciences from the NOVA University Lisbon. Before joining A3ES, she worked for four years in the Quality Office of the Institute of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine of the NOVA University Lisbon.
Helena Braga
Quality assessment advisor
helena.braga@a3es.pt
Biography
Helena Braga has been a quality assessment advisor at A3ES since 2023. She manages the assessment and accreditation processes of higher education institutions, and study programmes within the arts and humanities.
Helena holds a PhD in Gender Studies from the Central European University, and an MA and bachelor’s in Musicology by the Universidade Nova de Lisboa.
Lúcia Aguiar
Quality assessment advisor
lucia.aguiar@a3es.pt
Biography
Lúcia Aguiar has been a quality assessment advisor at A3ES since 2023. She manages the assessment and accreditation processes of higher education institutions, and study programmes mainly in the field of psychology and other social sciences.
Lúcia holds a PhD in Psychology and a master’s degree in Social and Organizational Psychology from ISCTE-IUL.
Lucília Mata
Quality assessment advisor
lucilia.mata@a3es.pt
Biography
Quality assessment advisor at A3ES since 2009. In this role, she manages the assessment and accreditation processes of higher education institutions, and study programmes in the field of management. She has been a member of the A3ES Data Protection Unit since 2023, where she holds the role of Data Protection Officer.
She holds a PhD in Chemistry from University College London (UCL), completed postdoctoral fellowships and taught at public and private higher education institutions. Before joining A3ES, she worked for 12 years in quality within the pharmaceutical industry.
Luís Fortes
Quality assessment advisor
luis.fortes@a3es.pt
Biography
Quality assessment advisor at A3ES since 2024, where he manages the assessment and accreditation processes of higher education institutions, and study programmes mainly in engineering fields.
Before joining A3ES, he worked for 10 years at the Foundation for Science and Technology (FCT, IP) as a scientific officer, where he was involved in research assessment processes, including the evaluation of research units, associate laboratories, and scientific funding calls. Prior to that, he worked as a researcher in the field of materials engineering in Portugal, Italy and Brazil. He holds a PhD in Materials Engineering from Instituto Superior Técnico and a degree in Technological Chemistry from the Faculty of Sciences of the University of Lisbon.
Luís Gouveia
Quality assessment advisor
luis.gouveia@a3es.pt
Biography
Luís Gouveia has been a quality assessment advisor at A3ES since 2023. He manages the assessment and accreditation processes of higher education institutions, and study programmes, including joint programmes, with a particular focus on social sciences.
Luís Gouveia holds a degree and a PhD in Sociology from the School of Social and Human Sciences at NOVA University Lisbon.
Nathan Carvalho
Quality assessment advisor
nathan.carvalho@a3es.pt
Biography
Nathan Carvalho has been a quality assessment advisor at A3ES since 2026. He manages the assessment and accreditation processes of higher education institutions and their study programmes.
He holds a PhD in Public Policy from the University of Aveiro. Before joining A3ES, he conducted research in the field of higher education, collaborating with the Centre for Research in Higher Education Policies (CIPES) with works in the areas of quality assurance and internationalisation.
Patrícia Pereira
Quality assessment advisor
Biography
Quality assessment advisor at A3ES since 2012. She manages the assessment and accreditation processes of higher education institutions, and study programmes with a particular focus on Pharmaceutical Sciences, Nutrition, Pharmacy, Veterinary Sciences, and Environment.
Holds a PhD in Pharmaceutical Sciences from the University of Strathclyde and an MPharm from the University of Coimbra. Before joining A3ES, she completed three postdoctoral fellowships and taught at public and private higher education institutions.
Rosa Bento
Quality assessment advisor
rosa.bento@a3es.pt
Biography
Rosa Bento has been a quality assessment advisor at A3ES since its establishment in 2009. She manages the assessment and accreditation processes of higher education institutions, and study programmes with a particular focus on teacher training and the performing arts. She also coordinates the assessment and accreditation activities carried out by A3ES in the Macau Special Administrative Region.
She holds a bachelor’s degree in Musicology from NOVA University Lisbon, as well as an MA and an MPhil in Ethnomusicology from Columbia University. She also completed a postgraduate qualification in Arts Management at the National Institute of Administration. Before joining A3ES, she taught in Portuguese polytechnic higher education institutions for more than fifteen years, in the area of teacher training. Throughout her career, she has also held management positions and developed training projects in the field of the arts.
Vasco Lança
Quality assessment advisor
vasco.lanca@a3es.pt
Biography
He has been working at A3ES since its beginning in 2009, where he manages the assessment and accreditation processes of higher education institutions, and study programmes within health sciences. He served as Coordinator of the Assessment Area, with responsibilities for improving and harmonising procedures, and for training new colleagues (2023–2025). He has also participated in working groups related to quality assurance in higher education, including the ENQA Task Force for the revision of the professional competencies’ framework of quality assurance agencies.
He holds a PhD in Biochemistry from the Faculty of Sciences of the University of Lisbon. Prior to joining A3ES, he developed teaching and research activities in genetics and molecular biology at the Lisbon School of Medicine of the University of Lisbon and at Harvard Medical School, among others. More recently, he conducted research in higher education policy, further developing expertise in quality assurance in health education, leadership, project management, and artificial intelligence.
Studies and Analysis Office
Maria João Manatos
Head of the Studies and Analysis Office
maria.manatos@a3es.pt
Biography
Head of the Studies and Analysis Office and of the Communication Area. Her role includes: monitoring studies and research projects; external review by ENQA and registration on EQAR; representation in the quality assurance thematic peer-group within the Bologna Follow-Up Group; and coordination of A3ES’s internal and external communication.
She holds a doctoral degree in Management from the ISEG Lisbon School of Economics and Management, University of Lisbon. She was a researcher at the Centre for Research in Higher Education Policies (CIPES). She has worked as an expert for international organisations in higher education.
Human Resources and Finance Management
Vítor Vilar
HR and Finance Manager
vitor.vilar@a3es.pt
Biography
Vítor Vilar is the Human Resources and Finance Manager at A3ES. He oversees payroll, benefits and career development, alongside planning, budgetary control, and the management of financial services. He reports to the Management Board on governance, risk, and financial sustainability. He also contributes to organisational and digital transformation initiatives, as well as to strategic business intelligence projects.
Over a career spanning more than twenty-five years, he has held management and specialist positions in finance, accounting, treasury, and management control in sectors ranging from airport management and construction to financial consultancy and corporate services, as well as in communication strategy for the pharmaceutical industry. He also served as a tutor in Business Ethics. He holds a PhD in Social Sustainability and Development, a master’s degree in E-Commerce and Internet, and a bachelor’s degree in Accounting and Administration with a specialisation in Financial Control. He is a Certified Accountant.
Ângela Jorge
Accountant
angela.jorge@a3es.pt
Biography
Ângela Jorge has been a member of the A3ES Human Resources and Finance Department since May 2014, where she works as an accountant. In this role, she manages and carries out a range of financial, accounting, and administrative processes, including the collection and processing of fees, accounting close procedures, and the preparation of information for monitoring, reporting, and audit purposes.
She holds a bachelor’s degree in Management from Universidade Autónoma de Lisboa. Before joining A3ES, she worked in the finance department of a civil engineering and public works construction company.
Maria Luísa Ferreira
Human Resources and Finance Technician
luisa.ferreira@a3es.pt
Biography
Maria Luísa Ferreira has been working in the administrative, financial, and human resources area at A3ES since 2025. Her responsibilities include recruitment and onboarding processes, payroll administration, employee benefits management, and financial and administrative procedures.
Before joining A3ES, she worked in the areas of human resources, administration, and budget planning in Angolan public sector organisations. She holds a bachelor’s degree in Computer Engineering from the Catholic University of Angola, an MSc in Project Management from the University of Liverpool, and postgraduate qualifications in Information Technology in Business Solutions from London Metropolitan University and Public Regulation and Competition from the University of Coimbra.
IT and Information Systems
António Silva
IT and Information Systems Manager
antonio.silva@a3es.pt
Biography
He has been the IT and Information Systems manager at A3ES since 2009.
David Dias
IT Technician
Biography
He is an IT technician at A3ES since 2021.
Edmilson António
IT Technician
Biography
He is an IT Technician at A3ES since 2026, providing technical support to users, administering systems and networks, and ensuring the maintenance of the technological infrastructure that supports the institution’s daily operations.
Currently a student of the bachelor’s degree in Informatics and Communications at the Polytechnic Institute of Bragança, he has previously worked for five years at Colégio Angolano de Talatona as a helpdesk and network & systems administrator, where he was responsible for technical support, and IT infrastructure management, and participated in the preparation of the technological environment for Cambridge examinations.
Executive and Administrative Support
Dora Alcaide
Secretary of the A3ES Management Board
dora.alcaide@a3es.pt
Biography
Secretary to the A3ES Management Board since 2011. Provides administrative, organisational, and logistical support for all the Management Board’s initiatives and requests.
She has held similar posts from 1994 to 2011 in public and private institutions. She holds a bachelor’s degree in European Studies.
Ricardina Correia
Administrative Assistant
ricardina.correia@a3es.pt
Biography
She has been working at A3ES since 2009, as an administrative assistant. Responsible for the preliminary project for the A3ES library and for cataloging the A3ES bibliographic collection. Before joining A3ES, she worked as a high school philosophy teacher. Ipse se nihil scire id unum sciat.
Tiago Marques
Administrative Assistant
tiago.marques@a3es.pt
Biography
Tiago Marques has served as an administrative assistant since 2026. His primary responsibilities include providing administrative, organizational, and logistical support to A3ES, with a particular focus on coordinating meetings and events, managing correspondence and records, and addressing operational support requirements.
Before joining A3ES, Tiago worked in media and communications, banking, and construction. He holds a bachelor’s degree in Media Studies, specializing in Journalism, from the School of Education, Polytechnic Institute of Setúbal.
