Meeting with the Rectoral Authorities and the Director of the Institute of Earth Interior Physics and Geodisasters of the University Center for Research and Innovation (PAKEK) of the Hellenic Mediterranean University (ELMEPA) and representatives of the Region of Crete, held by a high-ranking government delegation of the Ministry of China Emergency Management on Wednesday October 16, 2024 in the Rector’s Conference Room, Heraklion Campus.

At the meeting, the Rector of the Hellenic Mediterranean University was represented by the Vice-Rector for Research and Innovation, Professor Athanasios Malamos, while the Vice-Rector for Academic Affairs, Student Affairs and Lifelong Learning, Professor Fotios Mavromatakis, the Vice-Rector for Finance, Planning and Development, Professor Nikolaos Vidakis were also present. , the Director of the Institute of Physics of the Earth’s Interior and Geodisasters of the University Center for Research and Innovation (PAKEK) of ELMEPA, Professor of EKPA Philippos Vallianatos, the Executive Director of the University, Mrs. Vanessa Simantiraki, the well-known seismologist and External member of the Management Board, Dr. Gerasimos Papadopoulos, the Head of ELMEPA Technical Services Department & Deputy Head of Farm Department Mr. Charalambos Koutroulis and the Deputy Head of Operation, Planning & Maintenance Department and Safety and Protection Department Mr. Yiannis Tzanokostakis.

On the part of the Region of Crete, the Deputy Regional Governor of Civil Protection, Mr. Georgios Tsapakos, the Deputy Regional Governor in the field related to issues of connection with research and academic institutions, Mr. Georgios Matalliotakis, the Regional Coordinator of Civil Protection of the Region of Crete, Mrs. Emmanuel Paravolidakis, the Head of the Department of Civil Protection of the Regional Unit of Heraklion, Mrs. Georgia Sfakianaki and the Head of the Independent Directorate of Civil Protection, Mrs. Eleni Ploumidis. The large Chinese delegation was headed by Mr. Song Yuanming, Vice Minister of the Ministry of Emergency Management of China.

The meeting mainly discussed issues of cooperation in the fields of research and forecasting of natural disasters, exchange of know-how and the basis for signing two Memorandums of Cooperation (MoU), the first between the Hellenic Mediterranean University and the University of Emergency Management of China, and the second between the Institute of Physics of the Earth’s Interior and Geodisasters of the Hellenic Mediterranean University with the corresponding institute of the Ministry of Emergency Management of China.