Professor Chrysi Laspidou, Vice-Rector for Innovation, Internationalization, Collaborations, and Digital Governance of the University of Thessaly, participated in the official ceremony conferring the title of Doctor Honoris Causa upon His Eminence Archbishop Makarios of Australia and All Oceania. Her presence highlighted the event’s importance in advancing University of Thessaly’s strategic global engagement.

A Strategic Presence at the Rectory

Professor Laspidou, a prominent member of the University of Thessaly’s Rectory and a distinguished Professor of Civil Engineering, represented the university’s senior administration during the historic ceremony. Her presence was instrumental in underscoring the institution’s commitment to the international, interdisciplinary collaboration that the honor embodied.

As the Vice-Rector is responsible for Internationalization and Collaborations, her involvement demonstrated University of Thessaly’s commitment to strengthening relationships with international institutions and leaders, including the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of Australia and the academic community within the diaspora.

The honor represented the culmination of distinguished academic recognition. The ceremony, conducted at the “Hippocrates” Amphitheater on the University of Thessaly Viopolis campus in Larissa, formally acknowledged the Archbishop’s scientific, spiritual, and social contributions.

Ceremony Highlights and Thematic Significance

The official proceedings commenced with an address by the Rector, Professor Charalambos Billinis, who characterized the conferral as a “special honour for the University of Thessaly,” describing the Archbishop as a personality of global significance who bridges spirituality with science and contemporary society.

Following the laudation delivered by Professor Athanasios Giannoukas, Professor Aristidis Zibis, President of the Department of Medicine, read the Senate Resolution formally conferring the Honorary Doctorate and presented the Diploma and Insignia. Professor Zibis emphasized that the Archbishop has devoted a significant part of his life to bioethics, thereby inspiring young doctors through values, faith, and ethics, directly connecting his spiritual work to the mission of the Medical School.

The main event was the Archbishop’s keynote address, entitled “‘I Seek Man’ on the Highways of the Internet: Relationships and Dependencies in the Digital Age.” This reflection on preserving human connection and spirituality within the digital realm was especially pertinent for an institution such as University of Thessaly, directly aligning with Vice-Rector Laspidou’s emphasis on Digital Governance.

The historical event attracted a distinguished assembly, comprising Greece’s Minister of Culture, Lina Mendoni, regional officials, church representatives, and academics, underscoring the national and international prestige of the honor conferred by the University of Thessaly.