Purdue Partners With Four Greek Universities

Purdue University in Indianapolis signed recently academic, research and innovation agreements with four leading Greek Universities, at a time when the U.S. and Greece enjoy a very strong relationship.

The agreements through a series of Memoranda of Understanding will also offer Purdue University students opportunities to study in Greece.

On May 30 and 31 in Athens, Greece, Purdue President Mung Chiang was joined by his counterparts at National Technical University of Athens, National and Kapodistrian University, Democritus University of Thrace, and the University of Patras to finalize the agreements.

“We enthusiastically look forward to a fruitful partnership with four leading research universities in Greece, where there is a strong heritage of classical education,” Chiang said.

“These vibrant relations are about seizing opportunities for research collaboration, opportunities for undergraduate and graduate students in both countries and opportunities for broadening Purdue’s PhD student pipelines.”

Purdue’s joint academic programs with Greek Universities

The partners are in discussions about joint academic and research programs related to physics, computer science, electrical engineering and biological sciences. These programs also train students in key areas to contribute to workforce development.

“We can cast a broad net, so to speak, to ensure we can leverage as many partnerships as possible across the country that would be a good fit with Purdue departments, Purdue initiatives and, of course, faculty and students,” said Peristera Paschou, professor of biological sciences and associate dean for graduate education and strategic initiatives in Purdue’s College of Science.

“We are discussing research collaborations, and we also are discussing the potential design of dual academic offerings, programs that will create a bridge that connects universities in Greece to our programs here at Purdue.”

Paschou, who earned her PhD from the National University of Athens in 2002, has been a faculty member in Purdue’s Department of Biological Sciences since 2016.

Other members of the Purdue delegation included Petros Drineas, associate head of the Department of Computer Science; Dimitrios Peroulis, electrical and computer engineering professor; Lefteri Tsoukalas, nuclear engineering professor; Pavlos Vlachos, healthcare engineering professor; and Alyssa Wilcox, senior vice president for partnerships.

In addition to the academic partnerships, Chiang also signed an MOU with the American-Hellenic Chamber of Commerce, which has a membership of 750 companies throughout Greece.

“The intent is for Purdue to offer training for workforce development in Greece, and also draw expertise from Greek companies and industry to partner with our faculty here at Purdue and pursue research and innovation,” Paschou said.