Submission of a proposal for the formation of a group of university professors and experts regarding the plan for the Reconstruction of Thessaly by the newly elected Regional Governor of Thessaly, Mr. Dimitris Kouretas.

Mr. Kureta’s proposal is as follows:

  • Anthopoulou Theodosia: Professor: social geography with an emphasis on the countryside Department: Social Policy, Panteion University. Specialization in issues of social and solidarity economy, agri-food.
  • Arvanitidis Paschalis. Professor Economic Analysis of Institutions. Department of Economics, University of Thessaly. Expertise in issues of institutions and development, management of common resources, settlement of immigrants, methodology of finance, urban and regional development, land and real estate market.
  • Argyropoulos Zisis. Environmental Specialist. Expertise in climate change.
  • Dimitrios Vafeidis, Professor. Biodiversity of Marine Benthic Invertebrates and their direct – indirect usability
  • Theofanis Gemtos: Emeritus Professor of the Department of Agriculture Plant Production & Rural Environment of the University of Thessaly.
  • Gousios Dimitrios. Professor. Spatial Planning and Rural Development University of Thessaly. Director of the Rural Development Laboratory in the Department of Spatial Planning, Urban Planning and Regional Development Engineering (1996-2023). Head of the International Scientific Committee of the MOUNTMED Institute (2022-).
  • Danalatos NikosProfessor. Agriculture-Ecology of Large Crop Plants. Director of the Laboratory of Agriculture and Applied Plant Physiology of the Department of Agriculture FPAP, Faculty of Agricultural Sciences of the University of Thessaly
  • Ilio Nikos: Asst. Professor of Road Construction and Director of the Road Construction Laboratory of the Civil Engineering Department of the Polytechnic School of the University of Thessaly. Specialization in the Planning & Management of Transportation Projects and Road Safety.
  • Ekaterini Moutou: Biology of Vertebrates. Department of Biochemistry and Biotechnology. Deputy President.
  • Bilinis Charalambos: Chancellor of the University of Thessaly.
  • Mylopoulos Nikitas: Water Resources Protection and Utilization Projects”. Director of the Laboratory of Hydrology and Analysis of Water Systems, Department of Civil Engineering, University of Thessaly. Expertise: water resources management, extreme events and climate change, aquifer protection/restoration, watershed management, hydraulic engineering design.
  • Sarigiannis Dimosthenis, President at the National Research Foundation and Professor of Environmental Engineering at the Chemical Engineering Department of the University of Athens. Specialization in the relationship between Environment and health.
  • Tsiakaras Panagiotis Professor. Energy specialist. Alternative Energy Conversion Systems. Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Thessaly. Director of the Alternative Energy Conversion Systems Laboratory
  • Tsiboukas Kon/nos: Agricultural Economy – Management and Organization of Agricultural Holdings. Agricultural Enterprises and Holdings Management Laboratory of the Department of Agricultural Economy and Development, at the Agricultural University of Athens. Dean.

The aim of the Region is, through the utilization of the Thessalian, Greek and European scientific potential, to

  • A. obtain and have at her disposal diagnoses, assessments and proposals with relative speed and strong documentation, about the stakes and issues that the District must face.
  • B. intervenes with the aim of supporting the anchoring of the University of Thessaly (human resources, laboratories, interdepartmental groups) in the Thessalian area and in the neighboring regions.

Achieving this goal must be based on flexible structures and incentives, taking into account the weaknesses of the Greek University in terms of its relationship with the field and the deficit in the functioning of stable interdisciplinary teams.

The call for university professors and researchers for their participation in this effort, aims at the formation of such groups.

Their general role should be distinct and focused on:

  • issue preparation, information and decision-making advice
  • identification and mobilization when specialized university and researchers from all over the country are needed to approach issues concerning Thessaly
  • organization of workshops and conferences with practical results based on the anthropo-geographic conditions of Thessaly,
  • transforming the district into a living laboratory for implementing innovative initiatives, monitoring developments with the aim of inviting hundreds of students and postgraduates to participate in seminars, summer schools, etc.

Based on these goals, the following structure of scientific groups is proposed:

A central core team of approximately 10 recognized project members whose role will be to:

  • advises the Regional Governor
  • interpret policies and prepare reports and express its views
  • receives, processes and submits to the governor evaluations of ideas and proposals
  • invites specialized academics and researchers for suggestions on various important issues concerning Thessaly,
  • participates in the formation of thematic groups and in the evaluation of candidates