The National and Kapodistrian University of Athens was honored to welcome Yale University President Maurie Mcinnis, as well as the former president and internationally renowned professor of psychology, Peter Salovey, in a historical meeting.

It is worth noting that this is the first official visit of the new Yale University president outside the US, which, in terms of EKP, is described as “a special honor for Greece and the country’s first and largest university”.

The visit was on the occasion of Professor Salovei’s alert ceremony to an honorary doctorate at the Department of Medicine of the NCSR, which took place last Sunday, June 15, 2025, in the Grand Hall of the University of Athens, and on the other hand, Vassiliou) and the University of Athens (responsible Professor: Nikolaos Thomaidis).

According to an information from the NCSR, during the visit, important issues concerning international cooperation in higher education, the promotion of scientific research, as well as the expansion of existing ones and the development of new joint synergies between the EKPA and Yale, were discussed during the visit.

The presence of Ms Macinis and Mr Salovei, according to the NCSR, “reinforces the essential dialogue between the two universities and emphasizes the importance of academic synergies in promoting knowledge and scientific cooperation worldwide”. At the same time, the University of Athens is planning to continue and deepen cooperation with Yale University, for the benefit of students, researchers and the international scientific community.

The first public (Dual) Postgraduate Curriculum between the University of Yale and the University of Athens will begin operating in 2026 and will be funded by the Greek Government. The leaderships of both institutions expressed their full satisfaction with the significant support from the Ministry of Education, and the support from the Yale Club of Greece is also catalytic.

The Rector of the University of Athens, Professor Gerasimos Siasos, emphasized the presence of Messrs. Macinis and Salovey that “it is symbolic and meaningful; it highlights the potential of international cooperation and our common commitment to excellence, research and promotion of knowledge without borders.”

“The alert of Professor Salovei – a pioneer in the field of emotional intelligence and a distinguished academic – to an honorary doctorate at the Medical School is a recognition of his excellent work and at the same time an opportunity to further approach the two institutions,” he added:

“The University of Athens is continuing its extroverted course, pursuing strategic partnerships with leading universities in the world. Today is a station on this path and another step for an open, modern and internationally interconnected university. “

It is worth noting for Mr Salovei that since his joining in Yale in 1986, he studied the links between emotions, communication and behavior with particular emphasis on emotional intelligence. Its role was key to many Yale programs, including the Health Laboratory, Emotions and Behavior, the Interdisciplinary Research Center on AIDS and the Cancer Prevention and Control Research Program.

Mr Salovey developed a broad theoretical context called “emotional intelligence”, a concept-station in psychological science, which has helped to understand the importance of emotional skills in human behavior. His scientific work is reflected in more than twelve books – translated into eleven languages ​​- and hundreds of articles in scientific journals and collective volumes. It is also worth noting that for his research and teaching he has been awarded many major international awards. In 2013 he became a member of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences and the National Academy of Medicine.

However, in addition to his academic career, Mr. Salovei’s administrative career is also noteworthy. He was the twenty -third president of Yale University, which is one of the oldest and most prominent academic institutions internationally, where he holds Chris Argyris in psychology. During his term as president, he led the development of new programs and installations, guided the reorganization of Yale departments and schools, founded the Jackson School of Global Affairs, and converted the Yale School of Public Health into an international independent school. For Mr Salovei, securing Yale access to students from all over the world, regardless of their financial background, was a priority.

“His dedication to science, his stubborn commitment to the principles of academic excellence, his uninterrupted contribution to society and his vision for a higher education open and innovative make Professor Salovei shining and a source of inspiration for the inspiration. Salovey.