A major historical and national milestone for the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Greece’s first university, is the completion of 190 years of uninterrupted service and operation, marked by the start of this year’s academic year.
In a message, Gerasimos Siasos, Rector of the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens and President of the Council of Rectors of Greek Universities, speaks of an institution inextricablywith the modern history of Hellenism, its intellectual and cultural development, the advancement of science, and the cultivation of the timeless values of education, knowledge, and social contribution.
ΣΧΕΤΙΚΑ ΑΡΘΡΑ
“The new academic year finds the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens at a particularly significant juncture in its history, as it marks 190 years of uninterrupted operation, academic presence, and contribution. The 190th anniversary is a major historical national milestone for Greece’s first university, an institution inextricably linked to the modern history of Hellenism, its intellectual and cultural development, the advancement of science, and the cultivation of the timeless values of education, knowledge, and social contribution.
The ongoing investment in the quality of education, scientific excellence, and innovative research is most emphatically demonstrated by the dynamic international presence of the University of Athens, which now ranks among the top 200 universities worldwide, confirming its international standing and its enduring contribution to the advancement of knowledge and science.
This international recognition is, first and foremost, tangible confirmation of the high quality, hard work, and dedication of all members of our university community. It is the result of a collective and persistent effort and, at the same time, it fills us with an even greater sense of responsibility to continue, with consistency and determination, on our path toward excellence, innovation, and the strengthening of our international presence.
At the same time, the University of Athens is constantly broadening its international horizons by developing academic partnerships with the world’s leading universities. The operation of the Branch in Cyprus represents yet another historic and strategically significant step toward internationalization, strengthening our ties with Cyprus and creating new opportunities for education, research, and collaborations with the international academic community across Europe and Asia.
In this anniversary year, the University of Athens assumes the Presidency of the Conference of Rectors of Greek Universities, assuming an institutional role of particular importance for higher education in our country. By assuming the Presidency, we will contribute—through this institutional role—to a substantive dialogue on the future of Greek universities. With consistency, evidence and vision, we will highlight the challenges and prospects of higher education and research, serving education, the generation of new knowledge, and the academic community.
As the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens enters the significant anniversary period marking 190 years of its historic journey, we continue, with a deep sense of responsibility, unity, and determination, our joint effort to build an even stronger, outward-looking and internationally recognized, a pioneer in education and research, and steadfastly committed to serving society and our country.”
