On November 13, 2024, a delegation from the Nanjing University of Aeronautics and Astronautics (NUAA) visited the University of Crete (UoC) in Rethymno. This visit builds on a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed in February, initiated by Professor Christophe Roche, to promote collaboration in research, academics, and student and faculty exchanges.

During the visit, representatives from both institutions outlined key areas for collaboration, spanning humanities, social sciences, natural sciences, and technology. Presentations highlighted the universities’ strengths, leading to discussions on joint research initiatives, co-supervised doctoral theses, and a particular focus on artificial intelligence and its applications.

The NUAA delegation included Professor Taiyong (Vice Chair of the University Council), Professor Huang Shengjun (Dean of the School of Natural Sciences), Professor Ding Chen (Vice Chair of the School of Automation Engineering), and Shen Min (Deputy Head of the International Relations Office).

Representing the University of Crete were Vice Rectors Professor Melina Tamiolaki (Development, International Relations and Outlook) and Associate Professor Georgios Stamatopoulos (Finance and Infrastructure). The meeting also included prominent faculty members from the University of Crete, such as Professor Anthony Savvidis (Dean of the School of Sciences & Engineering), Associate Professor Kostas Magoutis (Head of the Department of Computer Science), Professor Angela Kastrinaki (Dean of the School of Philosophy), Associate Professor Eleftheria Zei (Head of the Department of History and Archaeology), Professor Christophe Roche (ERA Chair Professor in Artificial Intelligence), Assistant Professor Maria Papadopoulou (Department of Philology) and Maria Prentaki (Scientific Associate eLearning Lab UoC).

The visit concluded with a tour of the University’s Gallos Campus facilities and a guided exploration of the University Library, led by Library Director Eleni Kovaiou.