On the morning of Friday, February 21, 2025, the Rector of the University of Thessaly, Professor Charalampos Billinis, representing the University, following the Decision No. 5266/25/GP of the Governing Council dated 21-2-2025, which approved the acceptance of a lifetime donation and authorized him accordingly, signed the contract by which full ownership of two plots of land (6,817.65 sq.m. and 11,318.47 sq.m.) in the Zappeion settlement, "KARYAI" estate of the Municipal Unit of Trikala, was transferred from the Municipality of Trikala to the University of Thessaly.
This marked the successful completion of the donation acceptance process, which had been pending for four years. The approvals from the relevant collective bodies had been issued in June and July 2021, specifically:
Decision No. 102/2021 of the Municipal Council of Trikala
Decision No. 124324/17-6-2021 by the Coordinator of the Decentralized Administration of Thessaly-Central Greece
Decision No. 254/25-6-2021 by the Senate of the University of Thessaly
Two new buildings will be constructed on these plots:
-A modern building for the Department of Dietetics & Nutrition (~5,000 sq.m.)
-Student dormitories with 100 rooms, including a dining hall and a cultural event space on the ground floor (~4,500 sq.m.)
The signing took place at the Mayor’s office of the Municipality of Trikala, in the presence of:
Mayor of Trikala, Mr. Nikos Sakkas
Rector of the University of Thessaly, Professor Charalampos Billinis
Vice-Rector of Administrative and Financial Affairs, Professor Panagiotis Plageras
Dean of the School of Physical Education, Sports Science, and Dietetics, Professor Christina Karatzaferi
The contract specifies that the construction of the buildings must be completed within 10 years in accordance with the terms set forth.
In his statement, Mayor Nikos Sakkas emphasized that this donation highlights the Municipality’s commitment to the development of the University, particularly the School of Physical Education and the Department of Dietetics & Nutrition, which are based in Trikala.
Rector Charalampos Billinis expressed his gratitude to the Municipality of Trikala, as well as to both the current and former Mayors, Nikos Sakkas and Dimitris Papastergiou, for their support and collaboration. He underlined that the future infrastructure of the University will enhance the cultural development of the local community, attract new residents, boost the local economy, and improve the overall quality of life in the area.
