A significant distinction achieved by the scientific group of the Agricultural University of Athens at the final competition of the 1st HACKATHON of the EU-CONEXUS-RFS “Smart4Coast”.

On Friday, February 3 2023, the first HACKATHON of the European University EU-CONEXUS-RFS “Smart4Coast” took place in Zadar Croatia. Smart4Coast is an open call to scientists from various research fields and PhD students dealing with urban coastal issues. The teams that participated in Hackathon had been invited to tackle major challenges that these areas are facing today, due to the consequences of climate change and dense population. Within almost three days, the participating teams were producing innovative solutions, inasmuch developing a more cutting-edge approach towards the resolution of certain current problems.

           The topics of the competition involved sea protection, tourism, climate and water challenges, mobility and smart city. During the event, the participants were taking part in workshops that allowed them to move from an idea to a product or a project. They were also sharing their knowledge with professionals, in addition to meeting peer researchers from other partner Universities of EU-CONEXUS.

The research team that has represented the Agricultural University of Athens, entitled BioSEAsoristas, composed of Ms Sophie Mavrikou, Assistant Professor of the Department of Biotechnology, Ms Anastasia- Marina Palaiogeorgou, a Post - doctoral Researcher, Ms Vasiliki Iris Perivolidi, a PhD Candidate and Mr Georgios-Marios Papaioannou, a Post - graduate Student, has distinguished itself by being placed second through the business idea for the development of biosensors, which detect microplastics into the seas and oceans.

Microplastics form microscopic particles invading food chain, having also been detected in tissues of marine and terrestrial organisms with adverse impacts on ecosystems and human health, too. The innovative technology presented can serve as a tool of initial assessment for the massive and rapid quantification of microplastics in environments of remote areas with restricted access to costly technological equipment, besides enabling the possibility of monitoring the microplastics concentration. In total, simplicity and accessibility of that method shall lead to more controls over environmental samples, which could accelerate the implementation of the legislative agenda upon measures aiming at the deceleration in the contamination caused by microplastics.

The Alliance of the European Universities EU-CONEXUS, into which the Agricultural University of Athens has been participating along with other nine (9)  Universities, forms a  transnational European University of Higher Education and Research that pertains to the Smart Urban Coastal Zone Sustainability from a global perspective. The following Universities have been participating as partners at EU-CONEXUS:

• La Rochelle Université (France)
• Agricultural University of Athens (Greece)
• Technical University of Civil Engineering Bucharest (Romania)
• Klaipeda University (Lithouania)
• Universidad Católica de Valencia “San Vicente Mártir” (Spain)
• University of Zadar (Croatia)

• Frederick University (Cyprus)
• Waterford Institute of Technology (Ireland)
• University of Rostock (Germany). 

      For more info about the EU-CONEXUS Consortium, all the interested parties can visit the pertinent link  https://www.eu-conexus.eu/en/

Training Course on transversal skills took place at the Agricultural University of Athens within the framework of the Programme EU-CONEXUS- RESEARCH FOR SOCIETY (RFS).

From Wednesday 29 to Friday 31 March 2023, a training course was held at the Agricultural University of Athens, entitled “Transversal skills”.  Seventeen (17) Researchers out of the six (6) partner Universities of EU-CONEXUS- RESEARCH FOR SOCIETY (RFS) have assembled in Greece, for attending the third face-to-face session upon human resource management issues. Each day of the session has been dedicated to exploring different aspects of Leadership, Negotiation and Career Planning.

Throughout the seminars, the participants have had the opportunity to take part in a number of activities that enabled them to apply the procedures and notions featured, observing behaviours and attitudes that should be maintained or modified, with a view to organizing, leading and effectively managing a research team that has undertaken the implementation of a scientific work, thus gaining considerable experiences in their scientific action.

The EU-CONEXUS RESEARCH FOR SOCIETY (RFS) Programme supports and strengthens interdisciplinary research collaboration amongst the Universities of the alliance, extending across nine (9) coastal European areas, in order to create a multidisciplinary and a globally competitive research and innovation structure, based on researchers having a completely open mind as to the new and innovative cooperations with industry and society.

One of the most important perspectives of the particular pilot training involves multiculturalism, inasmuch the different research background of the participants.  Interdisciplinary and cultural diversity enriches the content and quality of proposals, while encouraging at the same time communication and exchange of views and knowledge among the teams, thus contributing to facing the challenges of the cross-disciplinary research. Post-doctoral young Researchers have attended the seminars with physical presence, coming from the six (6) EU-CONEXUS Institutions. The Organizational Psychologist Ms. Zoe Fragou has provided the attendants’ training into issues on leadership organisation, empowerment of communication skills and team management, too.

The Alliance of the European University EU-CONEXUS, is a transnational European Higher Education Institution and Research upon Sustainable Management of Urban Coastal Zone. The Agricultural University of Athens constitutes one out of the nine (9) partners of this new University, wherein the eight (8) other partners are made up of La Rochelle Université in France, Technical University of Civil Engineering Bucharest in Romania, Klaipeda University in Lithouania, Universidad Católica de Valencia “San Vicente Mártir” in Spain, University of Zadar in Croatia, Frederick University in Cyprus, Waterford Institute of Technology in Ireland and University of Rostock in Germany.

The New Year’s Cake Cutting Event of the Agricultural University of Athens.

On Tuesday, January 24 2023, an event was hosted upon the New Year’s Cake Cutting of the Agricultural University of Athens around the reception area on the ground floor of the Central Administration Building, taking into account all the necessary protection measures, with a view to preventing the spread of the Coronavirus Disease COVID-19, in the presence of the Rectorate Authorities.

The Rector of the Agricultural University of Athens, Mr Spyridon Kintzios, Professor, having been elected for the second time, along with the Vice Rector for Academic and Administrative Affairs, Lifelong Learning and Extroversion, Mr Emmanouil Flemetakis, Professor, the Vice Rector for Research, Finance and Development, Mr Thomas Bartzanas, Αssociate Professor and the Vice Rector for  the European University, Internationalization and Student Affairs, Ms Helen Miliou, Professor, welcomed with joy the Academic Community as a whole, in order to celebrate the new academic year on the occasion of completing 103 years since the establishment of the University.

All in attendance enjoyed moments of relaxation and tasted the superb delicacy of the New Year’s Cake, a kind offer by the Pietris Catering Company. Finally, Mr Ioannis Brouklogiannis, being a PhD Candidate at the Laboratory of Nutritional Physiology & Feeding of the Department of Animal Science has got the piece with the gold coin, receiving as presents the collectible silver-plated stamp and the specially numbered album of the 100th Anniversary of the Agricultural University of Athens.

Conference on presentation of the Managing Authority and the Training Programme of the Olive Grove in Amfissa.

On Friday, April 7 2023, a conference was held with great success, accompanied by a lot of attendants too, at the Conference Auditorium of the Department of Regional and Economic Development of the Agricultural University of Athens, in Amfissa Campus, entitled: “The Traditional Olive Grove in Amfissa: Turning over a new leaf on its integrated management.“ Τhe Head of the particular Department, Ms. Marina-Selini Katsaiti, Associate Professor, had undertaken the organization of the event, into which, the Member of Parliament in Fokida, Mr. Ioannis Bougas, the Mayor of Delphi, Mr. Panagiotis Tagalis, the Managing Director of the Hellenic Agricultural Organization – Dimitra, Mr. Panagiotis Chatzinikolaou, the Dean of School of Professional Education and Extension of the American Farm School in Thessaloniki, Mr. Evangelos Vergos, the Senior Director, Agricultural Sector Operations Development at Piraeus Bank, Mr. Ioannis Chaniotakis and the Researcher of the Hellenic Agricultural Organization – Dimitra, Mr. Georgios Psarras, have participated by making their significant presentations, adopting their placements, as well.

The Rector of the Agricultural University of Athens, Mr. Spyridon Kintzios, Professor, has extended a special greeting and took his stand accordingly. Afterwards, the Vice Rector for Academic and Administrative Affairs, Lifelong Learning and Extroversion, Mr. Emmanouil Flemetakis, Professor, the member of the Management Board, Mr. Dimitrios Tsitsigiannis, Professor and George Vlachos, Assistant Professor, have stated their opinions. Ms. Sophie Mavrikou, Assistant Professor, had assumed the coordination of the pertinent discussion. 

At that event, the new managing authority of the Olive Grove in Amfissa has been featured, as established by the Law No 5035 (Official Government Gazette Α΄76/28.03.2023), as well as the training program of the producers onto the integrated management, which is envisaged to start  within next month. Furthermore, thematic modules have been elaborated pertaining to among other things, the comprehensive systems of prognosis, diagnosis and treatment of olive diseases, the advisory and training contribution to the sustainability of the agricultural  sector and the good agricultural practices over olive-growing areas. The event has ended with a thorough discussion, as a result of the stances and interventions by all the assembled speakers and producers.

The Agricultural University of Athens pays tribute to the dead in Tembi.

On Tuesday, March 21 2023, the World Day of Forests, a symbolic tree-planting event took place at Karpenisi, upon the proposal made by the Rector of the Agricultural University of Athens, Mr Sryridon Kintzios, concerning the victims at Tembi. Students, Faculty Staff and Personnel of the Department of Forestry and Natural Environment Management of the Agricultural University of Athens, along with representatives by the Municipality of Karpenisi, have planted 57 straight-branched cypress trees, as a sign of respect towards the memory of the 57 dead people, due to the national tragedy in Tembi, over a specially designed space suitable for that purpose.  

The Head of the Department of Forestry and Natural Environment Management Mr. Spyridon kaloudis, has mentioned that at this setting, a small grove is to be gradually structured in remembrance of the people who have lost their lives at that tragic event, wherein a great number of students were included amongst the victims. The 57 straight-branched cypress trees, planted at Karpenisi are tall, ornamental, coniferous trees, which grow slowly and steadily, while reaching a great height, maintaining a dense, classy appearance as well, looking like upright, solid columns. The particular action was held at the south entrance of Karpenisi (Junction of Peiraiki-Patraiki), where the Municipality of Karpenisi shall place a relevant label for the information of passers-by.

 On Thursday, April 6, 2023, a conference was held with great success at the Conference Room of the Library & Information Centre “Alexandros Poulovasilis” of the Agricultural University of Athens, on the topic: "Development and comparison of methods for the detection and quantification of phytoestrogens in fish feed raw materials, fish feed and farmed Mediterranean fish species". The conference took place in the context of the project "Development and comparison of methods for the detection and quantification of phytoestrogens in fish feed raw materials, fish feed and farmed Mediterranean fish species - EstroFish", with code: T6YBP-00536 (MIS: 5052097), falling into Special Actions " AQUACULTURE" - "INDUSTRIAL MATERIALS" - "OPEN INNOVATION IN CULTURE" and is carried out with the co-financing of Greece and the European Union, within the framework of the EPANEK 2014-2020 Operational Program: “COMPETITIVENESS -ENTREPRENEURSHIP - INNOVATION”. The EstroFish project is implemented by the Laboratory of Applied Hydrobiology and the Laboratory of Nutritional Physiology & Feeding of the Agricultural University of Athens.

              The event was attended by the Vice-Rector for Academic and Administrative Affairs, Lifelong Learning and Extroversion of the Agricultural University of Athens, Mr. Emmanouil Flemetakis, Professor, who addressed a greeting. Then, the Vice-Rector for the European University, Internationalization and Student Affairs, Ms. Helen Miliou, Professor and Coordinator of the EstroFish project, outlined the objectives of the program and the implementation bodies.

               At the first part of the Conference, speeches have been presented by the members of the research group of the Laboratory of Nutritional Physiology & Feeding of the Agricultural University of Athens, with issues pertaining to the application of high-performance liquid chromatography coupled to tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) for the development of an accurate analytical method, enabling the simultaneous quantitation of the presence of 68 natural phytoestrogens, besides a spectral library for the qualitative determination of 74 phytoestrogens, inasmuch the development of methods to determine the phytoestrogen content of raw materials (meals and oils), fish feed of the greek market and fish tissues, including also its exploitation as a valuable biomarker for the discrimination of raw materials used for fish feed production.

               At the second part of the Conference, speeches have been made by the members of the research group of the Laboratory of Applied Hydrobiology (A.U.A.), with subjects upon the effect of fish feed phytoestrogens on the growth characteristics and chemical composition of sea bream and sea bass, highlighting their antioxidant and anti-lipogenic effect on the liver and visceral fat of larger individuals, which however, leads to a tendency to reduce body weight gain, as well as the effect of fish feed phytoestrogens on biochemical parameters measured on the blood of sea bream and sea bass, pointing out the ability of phytoestrogens to reduce bad cholesterol (LDL) and hypoxia-indicative parameters, such as LDH and GPT, particularly in combination with high dietary levels of ω-6 fatty acids. In addition, an estrogenic effect of the phytoestrogens has been detected, as they caused an increase in vitellogenin levels in sea bream individuals (100 g.) after three months of rearing.

          Furthermore, Ms. Efthymia Kotou, Researcher B', at the Hellenic Center for Marine Research (H.C.M.R.) has featured her presentation, entitled: "Phytoestrogens in fish feed raw materials and fish feed for Mediterranean farmed fish species: in vitro determination of their estrogenic and anti-estrogenic activity". The conference was concluded by an open discussion, on which the project team had the opportunity to answer questions, focus on specific research topics, clarify questions and exchange opinions about the physical object of the project.

  The Rector of the Agricultural University of Athens, Professor Spyridon Kintzios and the President of the Community of Strefiou, Mrs Athanasia Kourva, signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU), on Monday, the 31st of May 2021, at the AUA Rector’s Office, with the aim to contribute, by undertaking common actions, to   the new roles performed by agriculture, such as production, processing, trading and services, which are in a state of development, along with the novel means, like biotechnology, automatic application of rules and biological systems, network technologies and so on, in order to increase productivity, inasmuch quality levels, hygiene and products safety, implementing closely a productive procedure that respects the environment. That Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) has a five- year- duration, with extension possibilities.

         On the one hand, the Rector of the Agricultural University of Athens, Professor Spyridon Kintzios, has highlighted that “the University having an over a century history, as well as performing its actions throughout the country, shall conduce to the strengthening and improvement of the local, rural society, taking all the appropriate steps, besides making the best of the know-how of the development of effective agricultural advice”.

On the other hand, the President of the Community of Strefiou, Mrs Athanasia Kourva, has mentioned that, “The largest part of the people living in the area is engaged in the agricultural sector. This in turn, makes agricultural activities acquire vital significance for a fair standard of living of the population. The importance of the agricultural sector in the local economy, led us, as a Local Government, to getting initiatives and actions, like the agreement with the Agricultural University of Athens, with the purpose to strongly support the local advantages, providing the maximum benefits for the local community, too”.

               The particular Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) is breaking new ground, laying also sound foundations for actions, described, as follows:

• The establishment of cooperation in all domains, sharing common educational, scientific, research and administrative interest, in view of excellence and improvement of  the knowledge base of both communities,
• Participation of both associate partners in any information and updating communication actions, including those related to education, training and research, to the extent possible, based on the rules into effect,
• The development and support of collaboration and network establishment between the individual units, offices and/or committees of both bodies, in addition to the most effective use of the existing infrastructure and expertise in common,
• The creation of a framework that will enhance research in fields of special interest,
• The submission of common Research Proposals,
• The organisation of common scientific events, as well as activities pertaining to education, training, information and news communication, for example, Workshops, Open Days, Meetings, Seminars, Conferences, etc, with the possible participation of other Institutions and Research Stakeholders.
• The submission of joint Call for Proposals, for projects funding.

Ιt is a noteworthy fact that a Memorandum of Understanding has been concluded for the creation of an Entrepreneurship Hub among the Agricultural University of Athens, the Harokopio University of Athens and the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens. The three Greek Universities-Partners have signed the Memorandum of Understanding, under the context of their main mission being the provision and the dissemination of knowledge, with the aim of developing an ecosystem which will enable all the Academic and Research Personnel not only to produce knowledge, but also to “spill it over” in the interests of the society.

Along these lines, the existence of an appropriate institutional administrative structure is important for the shaping of this ecosystem, because it will have a decisive part to play in connecting University and its Staff with economy, specifically with the sector of industry and enterprises. The Technology Transfer Offices (TTO) constitute such a structure, since they have been functioning in the Universities all over Greece carrying out information and support actions on technology transfer issues {seeking Industrial Research funding, protection of the industrial property with a Patent, taking advantage of the industrial property by means of licensing and/or the creation of spin-offs}.

In addition, the Technology Transfer Offices either provide support services and entrepreneurship development or collaborate directly with the competent business structures (business accelerators, Technology Parks), for the creation of spin-off firms and start-up companies, through the implementation of business acceleration Programs and the organization of business competitions.

Essentially in this way, an Entrepreneurship Hub is being established, which has a strong appeal to young scientists and the potential to become the trigger for avoiding brain drain abroad. Besides, innovations will be utilized and novel economic units with technology transfer are to be formed, which will further contribute to the economic growth of the country. There is a high likelihood that a research infrastructure for young scientists to work on will be set up, too.

Ιt is a noteworthy fact that a Memorandum of Understanding has been concluded for the creation of an Entrepreneurship Hub among the Agricultural University of Athens, the Harokopio University of Athens and the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens. The three Greek Universities-Partners have signed the Memorandum of Understanding, under the context of their main mission being the provision and the dissemination of knowledge, with the aim of developing an ecosystem which will enable all the Academic and Research Personnel not only to produce knowledge, but also to “spill it over” in the interests of the society.

Along these lines, the existence of an appropriate institutional administrative structure is important for the shaping of this ecosystem, because it will have a decisive part to play in connecting University and its Staff with economy, specifically with the sector of industry and enterprises. The Technology Transfer Offices (TTO) constitute such a structure, since they have been functioning in the Universities all over Greece carrying out information and support actions on technology transfer issues {seeking Industrial Research funding, protection of the industrial property with a Patent, taking advantage of the industrial property by means of licensing and/or the creation of spin-offs}.

In addition, the Technology Transfer Offices either provide support services and entrepreneurship development or collaborate directly with the competent business structures (business accelerators, Technology Parks), for the creation of spin-off firms and start-up companies, through the implementation of business acceleration Programs and the organization of business competitions.

Essentially in this way, an Entrepreneurship Hub is being established, which has a strong appeal to young scientists and the potential to become the trigger for avoiding brain drain abroad. Besides, innovations will be utilized and novel economic units with technology transfer are to be formed, which will further contribute to the economic growth of the country. There is a high likelihood that a research infrastructure for young scientists to work on will be set up, too.