Melissa Gilliam, President of Boston University, visited the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, where she was warmly received by the Rector, Professor Gerasimos Siasos. Accompanying President Gilliam were Gloria Waters, Provost and Chief Academic Officer; Tuoyang Mu, Director of International Advancement; and Katerina Lykiardopoulos, member of Boston University’s International Advisory Board. From the University of Athens, the meeting was also attended by, the Alternate President of the Administration Council, Professor Nikos Thomaidis, along with Council members, Professors Dimitris Kenourgios and Athanasia Smirniotou; the Vice-Rector for Finance and Development, Professor Aristeidis Samitas; the Dean of the School of Health Sciences, Professor Pagona Lagiou; the Dean of the School of Law, Professor Konstantinos Christodoulou; the Dean of the School of Science, Professor Aristeidis Parmakelis; the Dean of the School of Economics and Political Sciences, Professor Nikolaos Eriotis; and the Director of the English-taught Undergraduate Programme at the School of Philosophy (BAAG), Professor Dimitrios Plantzos.
Celebrating 151 Years of Historic Ties
The collaboration between the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens and Boston University dates back to 1874, when Boston University’s first President, William F. Warren, wrote to the then Rector of the ‘National University of the Greeks’, Georgios Makkas, proposing the exchange of students, academic programmes, and scholarly publications. The University of Athens responded promptly and cordially, marking one of the very first international academic partnerships in the history of Greek Higher Education. The letters from 1874-1875, kept in the Historical Archive of the University of Athens, reflect a vision of mutual respect and intellectual exchange—one that is now being rekindled through the emerging collaboration between the two Institutions.
Athens and Boston Expand Academic Relationships
Discussions were held in a spirit of cooperation. The Rector of the University of Athens outlined the University’s international strategy, its standing in global rankings, and its key initiatives to expand its impact worldwide, with the opening of a Branch in Cyprus leading the way. He also emphasized the Institution’s commitment to strengthening and broadening its collaboration with Boston University.
It was further highlighted that international joint Μaster’s programmes are already being implemented, alongside an innovative dual degree programme with Yale University, which offers students the opportunity to split their studies between the US and Greece, with a focus on high-level, cross-university education. Additionally, the partnership with Harvard University was showcased, with mention of bilateral agreements signed with several other Institutions in the US.
Special emphasis was placed on the field of Artificial Intelligence (AI), with Boston University announcing its intention to strategically invest in the ‘AI and Business’ sector. The Institution also expressed interest in exploring opportunities for academic collaboration with the University of Athens in this area. The Greek side welcomed this initiative with great enthusiasm, ready to advance research and education in AI.
During the discussions, specific areas of potential collaboration were identified, including Public Health, Pharmacy—with reference to the 6-year Medical Degree English Programme (School of Medicine, University of Athens), as well as the 5-year Integrated Master’s in Pharmacy English Programme (Department of Pharmacy, University of Athens) offered to international students—and Law, with topics such as intellectual property rights, personal data protection, and Space Law emerging as key areas of interest.
Finally, Boston University expressed a strong desire to support Democracy and Values through academic actions aimed at addressing growing social division and polarization.
The meeting closed with both Institutions affirming their shared commitment to sign a Memorandum of Understanding, which will lay the groundwork for the development of joint scientific, research, and educational activities. This agreement will further enhance a collaboration that has already made a notable impact on the global academic landscape.
Photos: Dimitris Konstantinidis
