The Hellenic Mediterranean University (HMU) held the graduation ceremony of Konstantinos–Efraim Tsagkatakis on Friday, 5 December 2025. He is the first print-disabled student with total vision loss to have successfully completed his studies, specifically in the Department of Social Work of the School of Health Sciences.
The Path Toward Equal Access to Higher Education
The achievement of Konstantinos–Efraim Tsagkatakis, from his admission in the academic year 2021–2022 to his graduation, serves as a characteristic example of how equal access to higher education can be realized through systematic support.
Born blind, Konstantinos–Efraim was immediately integrated into the support framework of the University’s Centre for Psychological and Counseling Services. HMU developed a comprehensive support environment for the autonomy of students with visual impairments, in collaboration with the Thessaloniki School for the Blind.
- Library Support: The Library and Information Centre procured specialized software and established a dedicated support service for print-disabled students. It provided specialized services such as converting educational material into accessible formats, offering assistive technological equipment, supporting the transcription of examination material into braille, and ensuring access to the AMELib platform.
• Counseling & Adaptation: Staff of the relevant department worked systematically with the student and his family to facilitate smooth adjustment to academic demands.
• Volunteering & Community Engagement: Excellent collaboration with the volunteer group “Parontes” and the academic community contributed to creating an environment of genuine inclusion and unhindered participation.
• Transportation: The Region of Crete ensured free transportation for students with disabilities to and from the University through its Social Programme.
The graduation of Konstantinos–Efraim Tsagkatakis represents an important milestone for the Institution, reaffirming that inclusive education is a daily practice rather than a theoretical aspiration. It requires commitment, interdisciplinary collaboration, and human sensitivity. The graduate expressed warm gratitude to the staff of the University’s services and to all who supported his journey, reaffirming the message that no student is ever left alone.
