On Tuesday, July 1, 2025, Chrysi Laspidou, the Vice-Rector of the University of Thessaly was invited as a guest on the TRT program “Central Greece Good Evening.” In this captivating segment, she discussed a significant agreement reached for the region: a 30-year lease of the historic Tsalapatas Complex by the University of Thessaly. This space will be developed into a multifunctional hub for culture, innovation, and student life.

She referred to the agreement as a significant milestone for both the University of Thessaly and the city of Volos. She emphasized the importance of investing in infrastructure that fosters education, entrepreneurship, and benefits the local community.

Professor Laspidou particularly noted, “We are creating spaces that will nurture creativity, innovation, cultural expression, and community engagement.”

Building Regional Resilience

In the same context, Professor Laspidou highlighted the University’s proactive efforts to enhance Volos’s resilience against extreme weather events, especially floods. She mentioned that specialized research initiatives are currently in progress, aimed at developing eco-friendly and innovative solutions that merge scientific knowledge with sustainability to safeguard the region from future climate challenges.

Promoting Women’s Entrepreneurship

In response to the host’s questions, the Vice-Rector emphasized the significant initiatives undertaken by the One Planet Thessaly unit, particularly the Empowering Women in Agrifood (EWA) 2025. She explained that this initiative is designed to foster female entrepreneurship and innovation, especially in the agrifood sector, which is crucial for regional growth and sustainable development.

“The University of Thessaly is committed to fostering inclusive opportunities,” Laspidou emphasized, “particularly for women, who play a critical role in driving innovation and sustainability in our region.”