Thessaly, Greece / Kolkata, India – [04 April 2025] – The University of Thessaly (UTH), recognized as Greece’s third-largest institution and celebrated for its accelerated academic achievements and vibrant global partnerships, joins forces with Sister Nivedita University (SNU), a relatively young and really dynamic institute in India, with similar size and age as UTH. Together, they have formed a transformative vision for cross-continental collaboration that promises to advance excellence in education and research for their students and academics.
UTH, renowned for its Medical School and its critical services to the 1.2 million people of the region of Thessaly via the University General Hospital, and SNU, known for its holistic education approach and emphasis on innovation in various fields including health sciences, will collaborate to exchange best practices in research and teaching methodologies. By integrating expertise in medicine and STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Math), both universities seek to accelerate the development of knowledge and the training of skilled professionals.
Through this partnership, highly qualified students, researchers and academic scholars from both institutions will participate in exchange programs, visiting each other’s campuses to engage in collaborative research and explore modern approaches in education and learning. The two institutions are in the process of signing an MoU to solidify this joint initiative that will leverage cutting-edge technology to enhance learning experiences and promote global academic collaboration.
A pivotal component of the collaboration will be the integration of the English-language Medical Degree Program from UTH into the curriculum at SNU. This initiative will allow Indian medical students to travel to Larissa, Greece, to gain first-hand exposure to a global standard of medical education while leveraging the capabilities of both institutions. "I believe this collaboration will significantly enhance educational opportunities for our students and faculty. The alliance between UTH and SNU marks a significant step towards enhancing medical education, promoting scientific innovation, and strengthening international ties in higher education," stated Professor Dimitrios Bogdanos, Director of the English Medical Degree Program and Chairman of its Steering Committee. “A key focus of the collaboration is the collaboration with the Faculty of Medicine at Larissa, which aims to cultivate a new generation of highly skilled medical professionals ready to serve the healthcare needs of both Greece and India,” said Professor Aristidis Zimpis, Vice Chairman of the Faculty of Medicine.
“This collaboration represents an unprecedented opportunity to unite the academic and research excellence of both institutions,” said Professor Charalambos Billinis, the Rector of UTH. “By working together, we can achieve groundbreaking advancements in education, biomedical science and healthcare,” said Professor Theophilos Karachalios, Chairman of the Faculty of Medicine. Professor. Sanku Bose, Group CEO of SNU, managed and operated by Techno India Group (TIG), echoed the sentiment, stating, “SNU is proud to partner with UTH in this visionary collaboration. We believe that through shared knowledge and resources, we can drive positive change that will have a lasting impact on future generations”. “We are excited to see that our academic programs can take us as far as South Asia; we take this as a strong indication of our academic excellence our commitment to international cooperation, and our determination to achieve transformative education and research initiatives that will benefit societies across the globe” said Professor Chrysi Laspidou, Vice-Rector of Innovation, Internationalization, Collaborations and Digital Governance.
The collaboration is expected to yield immediate benefits, with the first group of students and academic professionals set to engage with the participating institutions in early September of 2025. This initial visit will be a significant milestone, marking the beginning of joint educational initiatives and exchange programs. During this time, participants will have the opportunity to share knowledge, study joint programs, participate in workshops, and establish meaningful connections that will enhance their learning experiences. The focus will be on fostering a collaborative environment where ideas can be freely exchanged and educational practices can be enriched through diverse perspectives. This collaborative effort aims to pave the way for future projects and ongoing partnerships between the involved parties.
