In September 2023, the Greek Community of Alexandria organized a high-level meeting with the leadership of the University of Patras, so that through proposals and meaningful dialogue its vision for the establishment and operation of a Branch of the above University in the city of history and Egyptian Hellenism can be realized!

To this end, a Memorandum of Cooperation was signed between the Greek Community of Alexandria and the University of Patras, with the blessing of the Pope and Patriarch of Alexandria and All Africa Theodore II.

The President of the Greek Community, Mr. Andreas Vafiadis, presented the objectives and ardent desire of the Community Committee for the establishment of a university institution within the Greek Community and specifically in the historic building complexes, so that there will be an additional upgrade in the educational sector of the Egyptian Alexandrian Community and beyond.

In the same direction were the positions of the Rector Professor Mr. Christos I. Bouras, as well as the Vice-Rector Professor Mr. D. Mantzavinos, a fact which was praised and supported with his presence and his unequivocal efforts towards the same perspective, the Ambassador of Greece to Egypt Mr. Nikolaos Papageorgiou, who put it on his agenda as a particularly important issue related to culture!

It should be emphasized that the initiative for the establishment of a University of Patras Branch in Alexandria was due to the former Deputy Minister of Education, Mr. Angelos Syrigos, to the Greek Community of Alexandria, with the excellent cooperation of the University of Patras.

For this reason, on Sunday 01.09.2024, the Ambassador of Greece met with the Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research of Egypt, Dr. Mohamed Ayman Ashour. The discussion on the possibilities of expanding bilateral cooperation and developments on the issue of the operation of a branch of the University of Patras in Alexandria was particularly productive.

Consensus was reached at the meeting on the establishment of a branch of the University of Patras in Alexandria and the development of an action plan for the creation of joint study programmes and student exchange programmes.

The Egyptian Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research, Dr. Ayman Ashour, received the Ambassador of Greece in Cairo, Mr. Nikolaos Papageorgiou at the Ministry’s headquarters in the New Administrative Capital, in the presence of the Head of the Department of Cultural Affairs and Scholarships, Dr. Sherif Saleh, in order to discuss ways to develop cooperation in the field of higher education and scientific research.

At the beginning of the meeting, Dr. Ayman Ashour stressed the importance of Egyptian-Greek relations, pointing out the successes achieved in joint research projects in various fields and Egypt’s interest in strengthening academic cooperation between the two countries in the field of higher education and scientific research.

During the meeting, the two sides discussed ways to strengthen cooperation through the exchange of researchers and students and the establishment of joint curricula, which will contribute to raising the academic level of students, enhancing cultural exchanges and creating strong networks of scientific relations between the two countries.

In this context, the two sides discussed the steps of establishing a branch of the Hellenic University of Patras in Alexandria, which will offer study programs in the fields of engineering, arts, sociology, management and health, at undergraduate and postgraduate level.

On his part, the Ambassador of Greece praised the depth of strategic relations between Egypt and Greece, stressing the remarkable and rapid development in aspects of bilateral cooperation, heralding promising prospects for the future of relations between the two countries.

At the end of the meeting, the two sides stressed the importance of strengthening the strategic partnership between Egypt and Greece in the academic field. It was also agreed to develop a clear roadmap to enhance cooperation, including the launch of joint research and student exchange programmes.

The Rector of the University of Patras, Professor Christos I. Bouras, stated: “It was with great pleasure and satisfaction that I was informed about the positive development of the meeting, in which the establishment of a branch of the University of Patras in Alexandria was discussed. We will make every effort to make this branch an attractive academic destination for both international and Egyptian students.”

The President of the Greek Community of Alexandria, Mr. Andreas Vafiadis, praised the joint effort made on behalf of all parties, congratulating all the officials who ensure the achievement, realization and implementation of a vision, set from the beginning by the Community Committee of the EKA, with the aim of upgrading its educational future to the highest level!

“The Greek Community of Alexandria,” he said, “will continue to fight and try, with respect to the past and the historical legacies of its ancestors, in order to promote spirit, knowledge and education, as a due tribute to all those Great Benefactors. And the University of Patras Branch within the Greek Square in Alexandria is part of this debt to its history!”

(Source: ekalexandria.org)