The Student Ombudsperson is an independent organ whose primary function is the defence of the legitimate rights and interests of the students at the University of Lisbon.

The Ombudsperson should strive to improve the structural, procedural and social conditions necessary for the best possible student development in all human, cultural and scientific areas, thus aiming to ensure the equality of opportunities and seamless integration. The Ombudsperson should be aware of all procedures, attitudes or behaviour that may place these goals at risk, and should present recommendations that can help to avoid or solve irregularities.

The Student Ombudsperson is chosen by the General Board from a list of personalities who do not hold positions of responsibility within the university, and appointed to serve a five year term. The current Ombudsperson, appointed on December 10th, 2009 is João Sousa Lopes, Professor at the Faculty of Science of the University of Lisbon.

All Ombudsperson activities are carried out in accordance with to the legal terms of the Student Ombudsperson Regulations, drawn by the University’s General Board. All of his/her competencies and relationship norms within the University are outlined in the Statutes of the University of Lisbon.

Additionally, the main regulations are also available on the Ombudsperson pages of the University Website.