From left to right: Director of the Confucius Institute at PADA, Professor of Physiotherapy Georgios Georgoudis, Vice Rector for Research, Innovation and Lifelong Learning at PADA, Professor Petros Kalantonis, Associate Professor of EKPA Demosthenes Chryssikos, Director of the “Anatomy” department at EKPA, Professor Theodoros Troupis, Rector of PADA, Professor Panagiotis E. Kaldis, President of the Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Professor JI Guang, and Associate Professor of EKPA Dimitrios Filippos.
At the University Campus in Aigaleo, PADA, the inauguration ceremony of the Confucius Institute at the University of West Attica was held, along with the award of the title of Visiting Professor in the Department of Tourism Management at PADA to Professor JI Guang, President of the Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, in the presence of the Ambassador of the People’s Republic of China to Greece, Mr. Xiao Junzheng.
The Rector of the University of West Attica, Professor Panagiotis E. Kaldis, noted that the Confucius Institutes are bridges of communication, understanding, and friendship between nations, within the framework of academic cooperation and cultural exchange, enriching especially the academic life of educational institutions and simultaneously strengthening the friendly ties between nations.
From left to right: Deputy Mayor of Culture of the Municipality of Agia Varvara, Mr. Nikos Vourliotis, President of the Department of Tourism Management at PADA, Professor Aikaterini Kikilia, Rector of PADA, Professor Panagiotis E. Kaldis, Mayor of Agia Varvara, Lambros Michos, Vice Rector for Academic Affairs and Quality Assurance of PADA, Professor Stavros Kamarinaris, and Deputy Mayor of Greenery of the Municipality of Agia Varvara, Mr. Giannis Poulakis.
The Rector of PADA stated that through the operation of the Institute, research programs related to the practice of Chinese medicine and its applications in modern medical practice will be designed and implemented.
It is also worth mentioning that Mr. Kaldis announced that utilizing the experience from the cooperation with the Confucius Institute, the next step is the creation of a research hub for biomedical innovation on synthetic biology, new technologies, etc. with the Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine.
Rector of PADA, Professor Panagiotis E. Kaldis, welcomes the Ambassador of the People’s Republic of China to Greece, Mr. Xiao Junzheng.
The President of the Department of Tourism Management at PADA, Professor Aikaterini Kikilia, spoke about the work of the honored Professor, emphasizing that the award is a recognition of Professor JI Guang’s outstanding contribution to education and scientific research, his inspirational leadership, and his great contribution to strengthening the cooperation between the two institutions, as well as his dedication to enhancing the shared bonds, ultimately benefiting the educational and cultural ties between the two countries.
Rector of PADA, Professor Panagiotis E. Kaldis, welcomes the Ambassador of the People’s Republic of China to Greece, Mr. Xiao Junzheng.
The Mayor of Agia Varvara, Lambros Michos, while greeting the ceremony, congratulated the Rector of PADA for the operational level of the University and described the collaboration between the two institutions as an important achievement. He also pointed out that it is particularly gratifying for the Municipality of Agia Varvara, a municipality that prioritizes culture, to participate in this project by providing a home for the Institute’s activities.
Deputy Mayor of Culture – Sports and Youth, Giannis Koutoulias, representing the Mayor of Aigaleo, called the collaboration a privilege that must be fully utilized and a significant bridge of communication and scientific exchange between the two countries.
The honored Professor spoke about the present and future of Chinese medicine and the prospects for its integration with Western medical science.
The event was attended by the Diplomatic Counselor of the Ministry of Culture, Mr. Vassilios Xiros, Professor of Anatomy at EKPA, Mr. Theodoros Troupis, and the Deputy Mayor of Culture of the Municipality of Agia Varvara, Mr. Nikos Vourliotis.
The Chinese delegation consisted of: 1) Dean of the International Education College, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine Prof. Han Chouping, 2) Head of Longhua Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine Prof. Chen Yuelai, 3) Head of Shuguang Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine Prof. Fang Min, 4) Head of the Department of Science & Technology, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine Prof. Wu Meiping, 5) Deputy Dean of the Graduate School, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine Prof. Liu Sheng, 6) Deputy Dean of the Graduate School, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine Prof. Liu Sheng, 7) Director of the TCM Museum, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine Prof. Li Gan, 8) Chinese Director of Confucius Institute at the University of West Attica Prof. Xu Wenjie, 9) Chinese Director of the Business Confucius Institute at Athens University of Economics and Business Prof. Yan Hongwei.
On the part of PADA, the following attended: Vice Rector for Research, Innovation and Lifelong Learning at PADA, Professor Petros Kalantonis, Vice Rector for Administrative and Financial Affairs – Sustainable Development at PADA, Professor Aristeidis Papagrigoriou, Vice Rector for Academic Affairs and Quality Assurance at PADA, Professor Stavros Kamarinaris, Dean of the School of Applied Arts and Culture, Professor Georgios Fakorellis, Dean of the School of Public Health at PADA, Professor Elpida Pavi, President of the Department of Physiotherapy, Professor Georgios Yoftos, President of the Department of Nursing, Professor Martha Kelesi-Stavropoulou, President of the Department of Political Public Health, Professor Nair-Tonia Vassilakou, former Head of Academic Relations with Chinese Universities, Associate Professor of the Department of Tourism, Aristeidis Kontogeorgis, and Representatives of E.DIP. and E.T.E.P. Members, Mr. Nektarios Stavropoulos and Mrs. Vasiliki Kotsi respectively.
The Director of the Institute from the Greek side is Professor of Physiotherapy at PADA Georgios Georgoudis.
