As part of British Council's Going Global 2020 Live Events series, Professor Simon Guy, PVC Global, Digital and Sustainability and João Amaro de Matos, Vice Rector of Nova University contributed to a live webinar on 'Social Impact as a Strategic Driver in Higher Education' hosted by Nova University Lisbon on the 24th of June. João Amaro de Matos is responsible for the International Development and Strategy of Nova University Lisbon, including accreditation, rankings, mobility, cooperation projects, and contributions to networks and alliances. His team has created a database of the Nova Community around the world that is used to support a strategy of communication, fund raising, placement of talent and international recruitment.

In this session, specialists from Portugal, Israel and the United Kingdom discussed social impact as a genuine strategic driver for higher education. Speakers explored key themes in order to highlight and share best practice in improved social outcomes through higher education, forge and strengthen partnerships and collaboration for improved social impact across the sector, and inform government policy on the vital role of higher education in creating and ensuring societal good.

The full panel consisted of:

João Amaro de Matos - Vice Rector of Nova University Lisbon

Peretz Lavie - former President of the Technion University in Israel

Rachel Sandison - Executive Director External Relations and Vice Principal at the University of Glasgow

Simon Guy - Global Pro-Vice-Chancellor at Lancaster University

It is possible to watch a recording of the event via Microsoft Teams here.