AUTh is the largest comprehensive University in Greece. It is widely recognized as a vibrant center of learning which draws its inspiration from a long tradition of academic achievement. This can be underpinned, among others, by the fact that so much in science, as in the arts and divinity, medicine and technology, it prides itself in its international outlook. Most of its academic personnel have been trained in reputable Universities in Europe, the United States and as far afield as Australia and Japan. It has been actively participating in Erasmus Programme, since 1987, accounting approximately one fourth of the total Erasmus mobility in Greece.
Nevertheless, mindful of rapid change and progress, we aim to improve our strategy, policies and everyday practices, in order to meet contemporary local and global demands. By assessing our experience, we have been able to determine our strengths and weaknesses, and we have adopted a holistic internationalization strategy, whose main objectives can be briefly described as follows:
– Strengthen our role in the European and international knowledge community, by building upon collective and personal academic achievements.
– Enhance our visibility among the traditionally prestigious academic institutions all over the world, by establishing long-term cooperation schemes at research, education and training level.
– Reinforce our traditional presence as leading education and research institution in Southeastern Europe and Eastern Mediterranean, by building focused strategic partnerships in the area.
– Play a decisive role in academic exchange, good practices dissemination, and knowledge diffusion.
– Support multicultural co-existence, social and cultural cohesion, and sustainable regional development.
– Make multilateral rather than unilateral approach a core aspect of our work -at education, research and administrative level.
– Enhance and reinforce our relation with Greek society.
– Make our graduates able to think and act across traditional academic boundaries and across national borders. Properly equip them, so that they may benefit from international knowledge and experience, and support national and local dynamic development.
The Department of International Relations and the Department of European Educational Programmes are responsible for enhancing, organizing and maintaining good relations between the Aristotle University and the international academic community, as well as for promoting the university abroad, with the aim to reinforce cooperation and communication in the field of teaching and research.
The above goals are met by participating in International Organizations, Unions and University Networks, coordinating and implementing Bilateral Agreements between the AUTh and universities all over the world, as well as by implementing the European Policy of the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki through the Socrates/Erasmus programme and various other European Educational Programmes (COMENIUS, GRUNDTVIG, MINERVA, MUNDUS, TEMPUS, LINGUA, etc.).
The UNESCO Chair on Education for Human Rights, Democracy and Peace, the UNESCO Chair and International Network of Water-Environment Centers for the Balkans and the “Iason” Programme play an integral role in continually advancing the prestige of the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki. More…