As the new academic year got under way, Professor Gerasimos Siasos, Rector of the University of Athens, visited the School of Science on Wednesday 9 September 2026 to see its recently refurbished spaces. He was joined by Professor Nikolaos Thomaidis, Vice-President of the Administration Council and Chairman of the Board of Directors at the Property Management and Development Company of the University of Athens, and Professor Aristeidis Parmakelis, Dean of the School of Science. Also attending were Administration Council members Professors Achilleas Chaldaeakes, Dimitris Kenourgios and Athanasia Smirniotou; Vice-Rectors Professors Efstathios Efstathopoulos, Sophia Papaioannou, Aristeidis Samitas and Christos Karagiannis; Professor Dimitrios Drosos, Dean of the School of Philosophy; the Chairs of the School of Science’s Departments; and many other members of the University community, including Teaching and Research Staff, Laboratory Teaching Staff, Special Technical Laboratory Staff, administrative staff and students.
The visit began at the School of Science’s new main canteen, which has been completely transformed. The Rector and other members of the University community then visited the new UoA Store, as well as the newly refurbished toilet facilities at the School of Science and the Department of Pharmacy. They were briefed on the work carried out so far and the progress being made. The toilet facilities at the School of Theology and the School of Philosophy have already been refurbished, while similar work is now under way at the School of Science.
Professor Gerasimos Siasos, Rector of the University of Athens, said the new and refurbished spaces at the School of Science were part of the University’s wider programme to upgrade its facilities:
‘What we are seeing today at the School of Science is tangible evidence of our commitment to improving the University of Athens’ facilities. The new main canteen, the UoA Store, and the upgraded toilets are helping create a more modern, functional, and welcoming academic environment, while making a real difference to the daily experience of our students, teaching and administrative staff and visitors. Keeping our facilities in good condition and continuing to improve them is a priority and an essential part of our commitment to student welfare. We know that the size of our estate, together with the age of many of our buildings, presents significant and complex challenges. That is why we have put in place a clear, long-term programme, with carefully defined priorities and projects across all the University’s Schools and facilities. The €130 million donation from Alpha Bank, Eurobank, the National Bank of Greece and Piraeus Bank is playing a crucial role in making this programme possible. Together with the University’s own resources and other available funding, it is enabling us to carry out an extensive programme of works that will transform the University of Athens’ facilities, improving both their appearance and functionality. Our goal is clear and ambitious: by 2030, all University of Athens facilities will be modern, safe, functional and accessible to everyone. We will continue this work through careful planning, consistency and cooperation, so that the facilities of the country’s largest and oldest university reflect the quality of the academic, research and wider activity carried out here every day.’
Professor Nikolaos Thomaidis, Vice-President of the Administration Council and Chairman of the Board of Directors at the Property Management and Development Company, said:
‘The work now under way at the School of Science and across the University of Athens forms part of a clear and fully costed plan, with defined priorities and a phased approach to implementation. Delivering this plan successfully requires close day-to-day coordination across the University’s governing bodies and administrative services, as well as making effective use of the funding available while continuing to secure additional support from both public and private sources. The refurbishment of the School of Science canteen was funded from income generated by the University’s property assets. It forms part of a much broader programme of improvements now being carried out across the University. At the School of Science, we are continuing to create the academic environment our students, researchers, and teaching and administrative staff deserve. What matters is that this is not simply a set of promises, but a concrete plan already under way. A public university with the academic expertise and talent of the University of Athens deserves facilities and an academic environment that reflect the quality and ambition of its teaching, research and wider work. That is what we are committed to delivering through sustained effort and close cooperation. I wish everyone a creative and productive academic year and, above all, good health.’
