by Professor Alexandros Triantafyllidis

Dear Scholar/Colleague

Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, committed to academic excellence, international collaboration and defense of academic freedom, is proud to welcome you (and your family).

Aristotle University, as the first Greek University to become a contributing member of the global SAR Network and presiding for the next two years (June 2021-May 2023) of the Greece SAR Section, fully shares the central view of the network and the Inspireurope Initiative that excellence in research depends upon open scientific debate, multiplicity of ideas and perspectives. We strongly believe that “When researchers are at risk, and excluded from participating in the global research circuit, whether due to discrimination, persecution, suffering or violence, not only are individual lives and careers at risk; the quality, the very future of research is also at stake”.

Aristotle University has been at the forefront of protection of Academic Values, Academic Freedom and Human Rights for decades. It is the first University Institution in Greece to establish an UNESCO Chair signing an Agreement with UNESCO more than 40 years ago (back in 1977). Our University’s participation in Inspireurope follows on the successful implementation of the S.U.C.RE. (Supporting UniversityCommunity pathways for REfugees-migrants) KA2 Erasmus+ Strategic Partnership in the field of Higher Education from 2016 to 2018. S.U.C.RE. focused on the processes required for the proper integration of refugees/migrants (students as well as scholars) in higher education as well as on their support after their acceptance/entrance in a University. Based on its success and with strong collaboration with the University of Cologne and the Vrije University of Amsterdam we prepared analytical Guidelines and Guides of Best practices for integration of refugee students and scholars in European Universities. AUTH was the first Greek University to organize such support efforts among Greek HEIs.

We have also been pivotal in organizing our next measures of support in the framework of Inspireurope project. At first level we focused in Greece whereas in 2022 we will focus on the broader Balkan and Eastern Mediterranean Region. In our workshop in Thessaloniki on 30^th September 2020, we gathered distinguished personalities, representing European and National Government (e.g. such as Margaritis Schoinas, Vice-President of the European Commission with the portfolio for Promoting the European Way of Life, Theodoros Karaoglou, Deputy- Minister of Internal Affairs of Responsible for Makedonia-Thrace, Gregory Dimitriadis, Secretary General for International Economic Affairs in the Hellenic Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Chairman of the Board Enterprise Greece), High ranking Greek Academic Administrators, as well as stakeholders from outside of Academia from vocational chambers, agencies that promote employment, NGOs, as well as refugee researchers, who have already found or are seeking a safe environment in Greece and the rest of Europe. More than 250 people registered to this highly successful event which raised awareness and informed key stakeholders and organizations in Greece about the possibilities of active participation in supporting researchers facing discrimination, persecution or violence, in order to continue their academic/professional course in a safe working environment, in Greece and in the rest of Europe.

In the webpages of this site you will find important information on the Aristotle University and the city of Thessaloniki, but also all the information you may need from the first steps to your arrival and settling down, visa, accommodation, health and family issues.

As you discover Thessaloniki and Aristotle University, please feel free to contact us and ask for any additional advice and guidance.

AUTh is here to help and support you