Welcome of the Dean

Welcome of the Dean of the AUA School of Plant Sciences

I welcome you to the official website of the School of Plant Sciences of the Agricultural University of Athens.To start with, the Agricultural University of Athens (AUA) constitutes the third oldest University in Greece, after the National Kapodistrian University of Athens and the National Technical University of Athens (Metsovio). It was established by law, in 1920 (Law 1844/1920), (Greek Government Gazette, No17A of 22.01.1920), as an Independent Higher Educational Institution, obtaining a university status, under the name of the Highest Agricultural School of Athens (H.A.S.A.). Afterwards, in 1989, the H.A.S.A. was evolved into the Rural University of Athens, in addition to being organized into seven (7) independent Academic Departments, by the Presidential Decree 377/1989, (Official Journal of the Government, No166A, of 16.06.1989), its Greek title being modified in 1995, by the Presidential Decree 226/1995, in particular, the National Government Gazette, No 130 A/20.06.1995, whereas the English one (AUA), was put into place effectively.

At present, the Agricultural University of Athens (AUA) offers high-level undergraduate and postgraduate Education and Research in Agricultural Sciences, as well as in other scientific disciplines, related to agri-food fields. To become more specific, the School of Plant Sciences, which was established by Law 4589/29.01.2019, includes two Departments, namely the Department of Crop Science (based in Athens), and the Department of Forestry and Natural Environment Management (headquartered in the city of Carpenession). 

Besides, the two Departments of the School mentioned above, are staffed by highly qualified academic personnel, with considerable educational and research work in Greece and abroad, who are doing their best to provide education of excellent quality to their students. Indeed, the Department of Crop Science of the Agricultural University of Athens (AUA), is the first University Department of Crop Sciences, of complete nature, in Greece, and was formed in June 1989, by the aforementioned pertinent legislative acts. As far as the Department of Forestry and Natural Environment Management is concerned, (the former Technological Educational Institution of Central Greece), it was actually established by Law 4589, (Official Journal of the Hellenic Republic No13A/29.01.2019) and was incorporated into the School of Plant Sciences of the Agricultural University of Athens. On top of that, the Department at issue, has been operating since the academic year 2019-2020, being based in the city of Carpenession, too. Regarding the facilities furnished, this Department is housed in the building installations of the Department of Forestry and Natural Environment Management, (four - year degree of technological education, concerning  that former T.E.I. of Central Greece), which has functioned in the city of Carpenession from 1983 up to 2019, since it has been abolished by the above law.

To be honest, it is with great pleasure and honour that I welcome you, the first-year students, to the School of Plant Sciences of the Agricultural University of Athens and even more, congratulate you on your successful admission to a Department, proudly belonging to our School, for which I am certain, it has been the result of hard and constant work, for a great number of years. Your current accomplishment must be followed by advance level of studies in AUA, in order to result in the anticipated benefits that can make a difference in the future. Moreover, the scientific teaching staff of our School shall always be helpful and supportive throughout your tertiary learning period. As members of the academic community, each one of you, namely the students of the School, is encouraged to face new challenges, gain new experiences and walk on new paths of knowledge, as well. The only tools that can offer the best protection and shield against a changing world at all times, comprise among other things, the process of teaching and learning and your own perpetual effort to develop, through science. Giving prominence to the profound and significant endeavours of all the Faculty Teaching Members of our School, at the end of your studies, you will be capable of meeting the new challenges of a professional career as young scientists, contributing at the same time, in accordance with your own special characteristics and your personal morals and ethics, to a better society. Many graduates of the Agricultural University of Athens excel in Greece and internationally, while many continue their studies at postgraduate and doctoral levels. In all your struggle and thirst for cultural enrichment, progress and scientific training, assistance will be provided lavishly, by both the educational and the administrative staff of the School, which you can turn to, during your studying at AUA. I truly wish to motivate you to make a vigorous attempt to be integrated into the new environment of our School, forming academic moral principles, by means of the scientific expertise you will acquire, as well as by your own and active participation in the lecture halls and the life of the university community.

In conclusion, I warmly welcome you, once again, to the School of Plant Sciences of the Agricultural University of Athens and I really wish you a fruitful academic year and the best of advancement in your academic subjects, too. 

The Dean of the AUA School of Plant Sciences,

Professor Dimitrios Savvas