The National and Kapodistrian University of Athens and the European Academy of Sciences and Arts signed a Memorandum of Understanding establishing a new partnership at a ceremony held on Wednesday, 17 June 2026, in the University’s historic Great Hall.
The event opened with remarks by Professor Gerasimos Siasos, Rector of the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens.
Addresses were delivered by:
Professor Klaus Mainzer, President of the European Academy of Sciences and Arts
Professor Ioannis Liritzis, Vice-President of the Academy
Professor Emeritus Emmanuel Fragoulis, National Representative for Greece at the Academy
The Memorandum of Understanding was signed by Professors Gerasimos Siasos and Klaus Mainzer.
The programme also featured a lecture by Georgios Babiniotis, Honorary Professor and former Rector of the University of Athens, titled ‘The Verb: The “Becoming” and the “Being” of Speech’.
The ceremony concluded with a keynote address by Professor Mainzer, entitled ‘Challenges of Europe’s Future: From Greek Heritage to Innovative Competitiveness’.
A musical performance followed.
In his remarks, Rector Siasos said:
‘Today marks the beginning of a partnership of genuine significance. It brings together two institutions that share a deep commitment to academic excellence, intellectual openness and the advancement of knowledge through research, dialogue and international collaboration.
The National and Kapodistrian University of Athens has pursued the same mission for almost two centuries. As the oldest and largest university in Greece, we have remained steadfast in our commitment to scholarship, education and service to society. Today, our University enjoys a strong international presence, distinguished research performance and active participation in European and global academic networks. Building meaningful international partnerships is therefore not simply an aspiration; it is an integral part of our institutional mission.
Against this backdrop, the agreement we sign today carries particular importance. It establishes a framework through which our two institutions can develop joint research initiatives, organise conferences and scholarly meetings, promote collaborative publications, pursue funding opportunities together and strengthen academic networking. In doing so, it creates new opportunities for both partners while extending the international reach and impact of the knowledge we produce.
I am especially pleased that this cooperation also includes the hosting of the Greek Chapter of the European Academy of Sciences and Arts at our University. This development is both an honour and a responsibility. It reflects our institution’s standing within the wider European academic community and further strengthens Greece’s contribution to the intellectual life of Europe.
At a time when Europe and the wider world are confronted with increasingly complex challenges, collaboration among universities, academies and research institutions is more essential than ever. Science and scholarship must continue to serve as a bridge across disciplines, institutions and nations’.
Photos: Dimitris Konstantinidis
