At the 89th Thessaloniki International Fair (TIF), the University of Thessaly highlighted its dynamic new profile, emphasizing research, international engagement, and strong societal connections. Among the academic leaders present, Professor Chrysi Laspidou, Vice-Rector for Innovation, Internationalization, Collaborations, and Digital Governance, played a key role in presenting the institution’s vision and accomplishments, as well as the strategic initiatives of One Planet Thessaly, the University’s Technology Transfer Unit and Entrepreneurship Center.

Promoting Innovation and Fostering Global Partnerships

During the visit of Sofia Zacharaki, the Minister of Education, Religious Affairs and Sports, to the University’s pavilion, Rector Charalambos Billinis and the Vice-Rectors, including Professor Laspidou, showcased the University’s recent transformation. Professor Laspidou highlighted UTH’s outward-looking strategy, which involves establishing strong collaborations with leading universities worldwide—such as Columbia, Georgetown, and McGill—and launching international joint postgraduate programs.

This internationalization strategy aligns with Laspidou’s leadership of One Planet Thessaly, a hub designed to connect research and innovation with entrepreneurship, technology transfer, and global competitiveness. The center supports intellectual property protection, spin-off creation, and industry partnerships, while fostering sustainability and digital transformation.

High-Level Visits and Policy Discussions

The University’s pavilion at TIF served as a center for high-level meetings and political dialogue. Rector Billinis and the Vice-Rectors, including Professor Laspidou, welcomed Deputy Minister of Education, Religious Affairs, and Sports Nikos Papaioannou. They discussed the ongoing efforts to internationalize Greek universities and the current challenges facing UTH.

Further visits included Periklis Mitkas, President of the Hellenic Authority for Higher Education (ETHAAE), and Dimitris Bourantonis, Secretary General for Higher Education, who engaged in discussions with the University’s leadership on academic policy and institutional development.

During the Fair’s opening weekend, the University of Thessaly welcomed a number of distinguished government officials to its pavilion:

• Minister of Foreign Affairs, Giorgos Gerapetritis
• Minister of the Interior, Theodoros Livanios
• Deputy Minister of Rural Development, Christos Kellas
• Deputy Minister of Health, Dimitris Vartzopoulos

Additionally, members of the Hellenic Parliament—Christos Staikouras, Christos Boukoros, Dimitris Kouvelas, and Stratos Simopoulos—visited the pavilion and participated in discussions concerning the University’s growth and its contribution to society.

Research and Technology on Display

At TIF, the University of Thessaly presented five innovative exhibition areas:

• International Joint Postgraduate Programs
• Robotics, IoT, AI, VR, and 5G applications in agriculture
• European Projects in Plant Protection and Environmental Conservation
• Citizen Engagement in Coastal Ecosystem Protection
• A cutting-edge implantable sensor designed for monitoring patients with heart failure.

These initiatives embody the University’s dual approach to modernization—enhancing internal infrastructure and research capabilities, while simultaneously broadening international networks and societal influence.

Laspidou’s leadership underscores the University’s ambition: to be a competitive, outward-looking institution that not only contributes to global knowledge but also creates tangible benefits for local communities, industry, and the environment.