Rector’s Welcome Address to First-Year Students for the 2026–2027 Academic Year

Dear first-year students,

It is my great pleasure to welcome you to the Agricultural University of Athens and to warmly congratulate you on your achievement.

Your admission to the University marks the completion of a demanding effort, but, above all, the beginning of a new journey. A journey that will not simply lead to the acquisition of a degree, but will give you the opportunity to explore the scientific field you have chosen, broaden the way you understand the world, and ultimately gain a deeper understanding of yourselves.

As you begin your studies, you become members of a university community with more than a century of history, dedicated to academic and scientific fields that are more relevant and more essential than ever. The production of safe and high-quality food, the protection of the environment and biodiversity, addressing the climate crisis, animal health and welfare, the sustainable and responsible management of natural resources, biotechnology, the bioeconomy, and the digital transformation of production are at the heart of the major challenges of our time. At the Agricultural University of Athens, you will acquire the knowledge and skills to understand these challenges, seek new solutions, and, tomorrow, help shape the developments of the future.

I would, however, encourage you not to see the University simply as a place of classes and examinations. University education is a much broader experience—one that connects theory with practice, scientific inquiry with experimentation, and individual effort with collaboration. You will encounter it in our laboratories and fields, through research and student initiatives, and in dialogue with your lecturers and fellow students. Above all, however, you will encounter it in the questions you dare to ask, even when there is no easy or obvious answer.

Be present. Take part, collaborate, seek out opportunities, experiment, and do not be afraid of making mistakes. Get to know people with different experiences and perspectives, build friendships, and make the most of everything student life has to offer. The years ahead will shape not only your knowledge and skills, but also the way you think, collaborate, and respond to change.

At the Agricultural University of Athens, you will discover that nothing living grows entirely on its own. Growth requires the right environment, care, patience, and collaboration. This is the environment we want to provide for you: a University open to ideas, dialogue, creativity, and innovation—one that will encourage you to discover your potential and forge your own path.

Our academic and administrative staff, together with every member of our university community, will be here to support you. Do not hesitate to seek guidance and assistance whenever you need it. Adapting to a new environment brings wonderful moments, but it can also bring challenges. No challenge, however, needs to be faced alone.

Dear students,

I wish you a new chapter filled with curiosity, courage, and an open mind. Set ambitious goals, while remembering to enjoy the journey. Question constructively, seek evidence-based answers, and use the knowledge you gain responsibly—for the benefit of people, society, and the environment.

We are not simply welcoming you to our University. We are welcoming you to your University.

Wishing you a wonderful start, and welcome to the Agricultural University of Athens!

The Rector

Professor Emmanouil Flemetakis