Visit of the Rectorate of the University of Crete to the Hellenic Mediterranean University
On Friday, March 13, 2026, an official visit was held by the Rector of the University of Crete, Professor Georgios Kontakis, to the Rectorate of the Hellenic Mediterranean University (HMU). The Rector of the University of Crete was welcomed by the Rector of HMU, Professor Nikolaos Katsarakis. The meeting was also attended by the Vice Rectors of the University of Crete, Professor Maria Vamvakaki and Professor Georgios Stamatopoulos, the Vice Rectors of the Hellenic Mediterranean University, Professors Athanasios Malamos, Fotios Mavromatakis, Nikolaos Vidakis, and Konstantinos Petridis, as well as the Executive Director of HMU, Dr. Vanessa Simantiraki.
The meeting between the Rectorates of the two Universities was held in a particularly positive atmosphere. The Rector of the University of Crete referred to “the significant academic development and progress of the Hellenic Mediterranean University since its establishment in May 2019.” After congratulating the Rector of HMU, he also highlighted “the challenges that regional universities are expected to face in the coming years, both due to the country’s demographic issue and the operation of Legal Entities of University Education (NPPE), mainly in Athens and Thessaloniki.”
From his side, the Rector of the Hellenic Mediterranean University underlined that “it is a great advantage for the Region of Crete to host academic institutions such as the University of Crete, the Technical University of Crete, and the Hellenic Mediterranean University,” emphasizing that the synergies developed within the academic and research ecosystem of the island have significantly contributed to the notable progress achieved by HMU in recent years. He made particular reference to “the important and long-standing contribution of the University of Crete to the development of research and higher education on the island, with a strong presence in both Heraklion and Rethymno.”
Both Rectors emphasized the need to strengthen and further enhance cooperation between the universities at research, developmental, and educational levels, aiming at reinforcing their position and effectively adapting to the evolving higher education environment in Greece.
In particular, discussions focused on the resubmission of a request to the Region of Crete for the support of the Crete Innovation Hub, the establishment of an annual meeting of the Rectorates of the three universities of Crete, and the exploration of optimal management practices for existing and planned student housing facilities across Crete, for the benefit of the entire student community.
