On Thursday, June 26, 2025, the Minister of Culture, Ms. Lina Mendoni, during her visit to Heraklion, visited the newly established Woodcraft Structure of the KE.DI.VI.M. of the University of Thessaly, hosted at the Hellenic Mediterranean University (HMU). , The Structure is one of the 19 Handicraft Structures established in 2024 throughout Greece, within the framework of the implementation of an emblematic project of the Ministry of Culture, entitled “Pilot Educational Program for the development of skills related to Handicraft”, specifically in the fields of: woodcraft, ceramics and weaving. The project is part of the broader Action with ID 16293 SUB.2 and title: “Revitalization of local craft units as a driving force of development” of the National Recovery and Resilience Plan Greece 2.0. In the context of this Project, the University of Thessaly, the University of Western Macedonia and the University of Western Attica collaborate with the Ministry of Culture, through distinct Program Agreements. The Scientific Director of the project for the KE.DI.VI.M of Thessaly and coordinator of the entire project is Associate Professor Glykeria Karagouni.
The Woodcraft Structure in Heraklion is one of the 4 Woodcraft Structures of the KE.DI.VI.M. of the University of Thessaly, with the others being located in Karditsa, Florina, and Metsovo. The Hellenic Mediterranean University and the University of Thessaly have signed a Memorandum of Understanding for the hosting of the Heraklion Woodworking Structure. Responsible for the operation of the structure is Asst. Prof. Ioannis Dintakis, a faculty member of the Department of Mechanical Engineering.
The Minister was welcomed on behalf of HMU by the Vice-Rector for Research and Innovation, Prof. Athanasios Malamos, the Executive Director, Dr. Vanessa Simantiraki, the Dean of the School of Engineering, Prof. Emmanouil Karapidakis, the President of the HMU Faculty Members Association, Assoc. Prof. Konstantinos Kontaxakis, the Head of the structure, Assoc. Prof. Ioannis Dintakis and members of the Department of Mechanical Engineering. The Minister was accompanied by the Head of the NSRF Staff Authority of the Ministry of Culture, Mr. Ioannis Mylonas, the Special Associate of the Minister for Contemporary Culture, Ms. Ekaterini Tselou, as well as officials of the Ministry. Also present at the structure were the Scientific Manager of the project, Assoc. Prof. Glykeria Karagouni from the University of Thessaly, as well as Prof. Georgios Panagiaris and Asst. Prof. Anna Karatzani, Heads of the Structures of the University of West Attica, and Prof. Ioannis Ziogas, Head of the Structures of the University of West Macedonia. The meeting was also attended by the MP for Heraklion of the Nea Dimokratia party, Maximos Senetakis, and the Mayor of Heraklion, Alexis Kalokairinos.
The Minister and her entourage were given a tour of the structure by Asst. Prof. Ioannis Dintakis of the Department of Mechanical Engineering, while students of the Woodworking Structure spoke with her, expressing their deep satisfaction with the knowledge they receive and the skills they develop in the context of the educational process, as well as their plans regarding their professional development after graduation.
