The AUA has been collaborating with Research and Education Organizations of the People's Republic of China on digitalization issues and utilization of digital technologies in the Agrifood Sector

On Wednesday, July 5 2023, an event took place at the Agricultural University of Athens (AUA), with reference to the collaboration of the University with Research and Education Agencies of the People's Republic of China on digitalization issues and utilization of digital technologies in the Agrifood Sector.

The Rector of the Agricultural University of Athens, Mr. Spyridon Kintzios, Professor, the Vice Rector for Administrative and Academic Affairs, Lifelong Learning and Extroversion, Mr. Emmanouil Flemetakis, Professor, the Vice Rector for Research, Finance and Development, Mr Thomas Bartzanas, Professor, along with the Vice Rector for the European University, Internationalization and Student Affairs, Ms. Helen Miliou, Professor,  have welcomed the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Affairs

of the People's Republic of China, Mr. Tang Renjian, as well as the Rector of the Shandong Agricultural University of China, Mr. Xu Jian Bo, accompanied with a large delegation of dignitaries from China.

The event having been held on the highest official level, pertained to the announcement of the creation of a Joint Research Lab on Agri-food Issues between Greece and China, inasmuch the conclusion of a Memorandum of Understanding. Throughout the event, the Rector of AUA, Mr. Spyridon Kintzios, the General Secretariat of the Ministry of Rural Development and Food, Ms. Christiana Kalogirou, the President at Hellenic Authority for Higher Education (HAHE), Mr. Pericles Mitkas, Professor of the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki too, the Director of the Hellenic Foundation for Research and Innovation (H.F.R.I.), Dr. Katerina Kouravelou, the Director of the Federation of Hellenic Food Industries (SEVT), Ms. Vasso Papadimitriou, the General Manager of the National Union of Agricultural Cooperatives of Greece (ETHEAS), Mr. Moschos Korasidis and the Executive of the Development Center of Agricultural Banking Division of Corporate & Investment Banking at Piraeus Bank, Mr. Nicolas Dedousis, have addressed their speeches.

Besides, on behalf of the Agricultural University of Athens, the Dean of the School of Animal Science, Mr. Ioannis Ikonomopoulos, the Dean of the School of Food and Nutritional Sciences, Mr. Eleftherios Drosinos, the members of the Management Board of AUA, namely Ms. Kyriaki Sotirakoglou, Mr. Petros Tarantilis, Mr. Panagiotis Trivellas and Mr. Dimitrios Tsitsigiannis have given their presence at the event. In addition, the Director for International relations of the Ministry of Rural Agriculture and Food, Ms. Maria Markou, the President of the Prevention Center, associated with ARGO Alternative Therapeutic Program for Addicted Individuals, being a Special Advisor to the Regional Governor of Attica on dependency and addictive issues too, Ms. Georgia Pispa, Mr. Constantinos Charitidis, being a member of the Scientific Council of the Hellenic Foundation for Research and Innovation (H.F.R.I.) and also a Professor of the National Technical University of Athens, along with the Director over Agricultural Development - Division  of Corporate & Investment Banking at Piraeus Bank, Mr. Athanasios Dedousis, as well as a number of print and electronic media journalists, have been present at that event.

During the event, Professor Emeritus of AUA and also a member of the Scientific Council of the Hellenic Foundation for Research and Innovation (H.F.R.I.), Mr.  Georgios - Ioannis Nychas in cooperation with Ms. Yimin Zhang, Professor at the College of Food Science and Engineering, of the Shandong Agricultural University, have featured the Ditect Program. Afterwards, the Rector of the Shandong University of China, Mr.  Xu Jian Bo, has announced the granting of Mr. Georgios - Ioannis Nychas, AUA Professor Emeritus, as a Honorary Visiting Professor at the Shandong Agricultural University.

Subsequently, the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding upon digitalization issues and utilization of digital technologies in the Agrifood Sector between the Agricultural University of Athens and the Shandong Agricultural University has been concluded, in addition to the announcement of the establishment of a  Joint Research Lab with the pertinent object between the Agricultural University of Athens and the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs of the People's Republic of China. The event has been completed by the speech of the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Affairs of the People's Republic of China, Mr. Tang Renjian.

Ms. Aliki-Fotini Kyritsi and Rania Hindiridou from the International and Public Relations Department, have offered a variety of symbolic gifts to the distinguished guests, inasmuch printed promo material with information about the Agricultural University of Athens. At the end of the ceremonial occasion, a reception has been hosted, wherein all the attendees invited, have tasted an exceptional lunch.

All the interested parties may treat themselves to the photographic material captured and retouched by the Photography Team of the Agricultural University of Athens AUA Clicks!, available on the links below: 05_07_2023  Photos no. 1,  05_07_2023 photos no.2 , 05_07_2023 photos no.3.