University of Athens Strengthens Global Ties with Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (Guangzhou) Through New Agreements

A delegation from the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens visited the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (Guangzhou) (HKUST (GZ)) from 12 to 17 March 2026, further advancing the University’s international engagement strategy. The delegation was led by Professor Sophia Papaioannou, Vice-Rector for Academic Affairs, International Relations, and Extroversion.

During the visit, two key agreements were concluded: a student exchange framework and a dedicated partnership with HKUST (GZ)’s Red Bird MPhil Programme. As part of the agreement, a cohort of final-year students and recent graduates from the University of Athens will be admitted to the programme each year, with full scholarships covering tuition and living expenses provided by HKUST (GZ).

Professor Andreas Papandreou (Department of Economics), an internationally recognised expert in climate change and sustainable development, and Emeritus Professor of Microbiology Amalia Karagouni (Department of Biology) accompanied the Vice-Rector.

The delegation was welcomed by Professor Wu Jingshen, Vice-President for Teaching and Learning, and Professor Pang Dingquan, Vice-President for Administration. The visit follows an earlier delegation from HKUST (GZ), led by its President, Professor Ni Mingxuan, to Athens in October 2024, as well as the Memorandum of Understanding signed in July 2025.

Early progress in the partnership—as seen in the participation of University of Athens graduates in the Red Bird MPhil Programme—shows how aligned institutional priorities can deliver tangible results. It also provides a strong foundation for expanding collaboration in both teaching and research, further strengthening academic links between Greek and Chinese universities.

During the meetings, Professor Wu Jingshen presented HKUST (GZ)’s innovative academic model, highlighting its student-centred approach and ambition to develop into a world-class research university. The presentation stressed interdisciplinary learning and team-based methods embedded in the Red Bird programme, as well as the opportunities offered by the dynamic Guangdong–Hong Kong–Macao Greater Bay Area.

Professor Pang Dingquan described the agreements as the starting point for a broader partnership, noting that they will deepen collaboration at the faculty level, expand researcher mobility, and support the development of joint research initiatives.

Professor Sophia Papaioannou described HKUST (GZ) as a highly innovative academic environment and characterised the partnership as particularly promising. She noted that the agreements will enable outstanding students from the University of Athens to act as bridges between the two institutions, strengthening academic mobility and international networks while creating new opportunities for joint learning and research collaboration.

Also present at the meetings were Professor Wang Xudong, Acting Dean of the College of Future Technology; Professor Jiang Kejun, Acting Head of the Carbon Neutrality and Climate Change Thrust; Associate Professor Fan Mingming, Acting Head of the Red Bird MPhil Base; Assistant Professor Yang Jingwei; and Fu Jing, Head of the Global Affairs Department.

While in Guangzhou, the delegation held a series of working meetings to explore research collaboration with Professor Pan Jiahua and his team; with Professor Theodoros Papatheodorou in the field of Computational Media and Arts; and with Assistant Professors Liu Jiangong and Anurag Gumber (Carbon Neutrality and Climate Change), as well as Assistant Professor Oncay Yasa (Robotics and Autonomous Systems).

Discussions focused on priority areas at the forefront of research, including training in AI, sustainable development and climate change, environmental microbiology, and the use of digital innovation to support the protection of cultural heritage.

A highlight of the visit was a meeting with PhD candidate Georgia Ntroumpogianni (Department of Biology, University of Athens), who has spent the past six months conducting part of her doctoral research in Professor Yasa’s laboratory under the supervision of Professor Karagouni. Ms Ntroumpogianni is the first University of Athens student to join HKUST (GZ), reflecting the tangible outcomes of this partnership.

The visit underscores the growing momentum of the University of Athens’ international partnerships and reinforces its role as a hub of academic excellence with a global outlook.