"Pharos Summit 2022: Greek–U.S. Collaboration in Higher Education"
This unique initiative implemented by the Greek Ministry of Education & Religious Affairs, in cooperation with the U.S. Embassy in Athens, the Institute of International Education (IIE), and the Fulbright Foundation, brought together a total of 64 representatives from 30 U.S. universities for discussions and meetings with representatives from higher education institutions in Greece, to explore new collaborations and strengthen already existing ties. Starting last Saturday, the trip included visits to many places and a high-level forum with rectors from more than 20 Greek universities.
Harvard's representative, Christos Giannopoulos, and 23 other delegates started their visits from Harokopio University and the University of Athens on Monday. On Tuesday, Harvard and another 13 delegates from 12 US Universities traveled to the University of the Aegean in Rhodes, the University of Patras and the Hellenic Open University in Patras, and the University of the Peloponnese in Tripoli. The U.S. delegation met with the leadership and many faculty members of the Greek Universities and engaged in fruitful discussions that focused on expanding existing and the development of new collaborations that will benefit students and faculty from both sides of the Atlantic.
Christos Giannopoulos (Harvard University), Frank Hess (Indiana University), Ashley Spinelli (University of California, Berkeley), J. Kevin Taylor (California Polytechnic State University), John Papapolymerou and Tom Voice (Michigan State University), Gary Henry (University of Delaware), Kathryn Yatrakis (Columbia University), Megan Legerski (University of Alabama), Reitumetse (Reitu) Obakeng Mabokela (University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign), Raj Mehta (University of Cincinnati), Bri Ard (University of South Alabama), Mark Nicosia (Widener University), David Fyfe (York College of Pennsylvania), and the group’s coordinator Cori Crisfield (Institute of International Education)
We want to thank all Greek Universities for their hospitality and congratulate them for their accomplishments. Special thanks and congratulations to the Ministry of Education and the Institute of International Education for the highly successful Pharos Summit.
Harvard University has been organizing several programs in Greece since 2002 and has operated one of its global offices in our country since 2008. It has already developed collaborations with Greek Universities and has many activities addressed to the Greek educational community. Following the Pharos Summit, CHS Greece will continue building upon these synergies to create even more opportunities that will bring the Harvard community closer to the students and faculty of the Greek Universities and offer new educational and research opportunities for all.