The Ombuds Blog: University of Minho Appoints First Student Ombuds

February 19, 2016

University of Minho Appoints First Student Ombuds

The public university in Braga, Portugal, has named Paula Cristina Martins as its first Student Ombudsman. She works with a student population of nearly 20,000 across two campuses. A website for her office emphasizes that she is independent, neutral, and confidential.

Martins is an assistant professor in the Department of Applied Psychology. Previously at UMinho, she was also the Vice-President of the Institute of Child Studies and the Pro-Rector for Education. Martins graduated from UMinho with a degree in Psychology and also earned a PhD in Child Studies. (UMinho Ombuds.)

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Organizational Ombuds

Organizational Ombuds serve as a confidential, independent, neutral and informal dispute resolution resource for a specific entity. They are accessible to a defined population and can advocate for fairness. These unique characteristics distinguish Organizational Ombuds from Classical Ombuds, mediators, arbitrators, and other alternative dispute resolution professionals. The term "Ombuds" is shorthand for "Ombudsman," "Ombudsperson" and "Ombuds Officer," which also are used widely.

Some other variants include:

Austria -- Ombudsstelle

Brazil -- Ouvidor

Croatia -- pravobranitelji

France -- médiateur/defénseur

Germany -- Ombudspersonen

Italy -- difensore

Netherlands -- ombudspersoon

Norway -- ombudet

Poland -- Rzecznik

Portugal -- provedor

Russia -- омбудсмен

Spain -- ombudsman organizacional

Sweden -- studentombud

Switzerland -- ombudsmann

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February 19, 2016

University of Minho Appoints First Student Ombuds

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