The University of Athens and Tsinghua University Forge a Bridge of Academic Cooperation

Professor Gerasimos Siasos, Rector of the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, and Professor Qiu Yong, Chairman of the University Council at Tsinghua, one of China’s and the world’s leading higher education institutions, signed a Memorandum of Understanding, marking the launch of a new, dynamic partnership in academia and research between the two Universities. The signing ceremony took place on Tuesday, 16 December 2025, at the historic main building of the University of Athens—in the Old Senate Hall—with delegations from both sides in attendance.

The Tsinghua delegation also included Distinguished Professor Wang Hui of the School of Humanities and Director of the Tsinghua Institute for Advanced Study in the Humanities and Social Sciences; Professor Wu Guosheng, Chair of the Department of History of Science; Professor Wu Xia, Dean of the Department of Foreign Languages and Literatures; Professor of European Politics Shi Zhiqin, Director of the Belt and Road Strategy Institute; Assistant Professor of Global Affairs Vasilis Trigkas; as well as other senior officials from the institution.

On the part of the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, the delegation included—alongside the Rector—Professor Nikos Thomaidis, Alternate Chair of the Administration Council; Professor Dimitris Kenourgios, member of the Administration Council; Professor Sophia Papaioannou, Vice-Rector for Academic Affairs, International Relations, and Extroversion; Professor Aristeidis Samitas, Vice-Rector for Finance and Development; Professor Dimitrios Drosos, Dean of the School of Philosophy; Professor Pagona Lagiou, Dean of the School of Health Sciences; as well as senior staff from the Directorate of International Relations.

In his opening remarks, Rector Siasos, highlighted the strategic value of the collaboration with Tsinghua, one of the world’s leading institutions of higher education, emphasizing that the agreement will significantly enhance our University’s global presence and create new opportunities for joint initiatives in education, research, and innovation. In turn, President Qiu, referred to the long-standing cultural and scientific dialogue between Greece and China, expressing confidence that this partnership with the University of Athens will play a key role in advancing academic excellence and mutual understanding.

The Memorandum of Understanding provides, among other things, for the development of joint research programmes in areas of mutual interest, the exchange of faculty members, researchers, and students, the co-organization of conferences, seminars, and scientific meetings, as well as the sharing of educational and research materials. The agreement, effective for five years and subject to renewal, lays the groundwork for systematic and enduring collaboration between the two institutions.

The signing of the Memorandum of Understanding with Tsinghua forms part of the University of Athens’ broader strategy to strengthen its international collaborations with leading academic institutions, reaffirming its role as a pillar of scientific excellence, global engagement, and international academic presence.