30/06/2025
Students from the University of Debrecen in Hungary visited HMU for a week of collaboration and learning.
A group of 15 students from the University of Debrecen in Hungary carried out a particularly successful and interesting visit on Thursday, 19 June 2025 to the facilities of the Hellenic Mediterranean University (HMU) in Chania. The visit took place as part of a funded stay in Crete from 15 to 22 June 2025, aimed at deepening their knowledge in geosciences and environmental technologies through an international educational experience. The students visited the island within the framework of the Pannónia Scholarship Programme, accompanied by Assistant Professor Dr. Tamás Mester and Research Fellow Dr. Emőke Kiss, from the Faculty of Science and Technology, Institute of Earth Sciences, Department of Landscape Protection and Environmental Geography of the University of Debrecen.
At HMU, the students visited laboratory and research facilities of the Department of Electronic Engineering of HMU and had the opportunity to engage in discussions with faculty members and researchers. In particular, they visited the Laboratories of (a) Design, Manufacturing & Automations, (b) Telecommunications & Electromagnetic Applications, and (c) Environmental Technologies and Applications, and the Professors George Fousktiakis, George Liodakis, and George Stavroulakis, respectively, introduced the students to the state-of-the-art equipment and activities of their Laboratories, initiated discussions on current scientific topics, and encouraged the students to participate actively. The visit to the Department was coordinated by the Head of the Division of Informatics & Automation, Associate Professor George Fouskitakis, and Mr. George Volanis, PhD candidate at the Laboratory of Design, Manufacturing and Automation.
During their stay in Crete, the students sought to deepen their knowledge in geosciences, focusing on soil science, the protection and quality of water resources, and the use of geoinformatics systems, within the framework of academic exchange and collaboration. In this context, they carried out field visits to study geological formations and soils and had the opportunity to learn in detail about issues related to the management and protection of the island’s water resources. HMU was a key stop in their programme due to its scientific activity and its important role in these fields in Crete and beyond. At the same time, the students visited Samaria Gorge and Balos lagoon, combining academic learning with hands-on experiences in iconic natural landscapes of Crete.
The visit was part of the Pannónia Scholarship Programme, which supports international academic cooperation, student mobility, and the development of joint research and educational activities between universities. This initiative offered valuable learning opportunities for the students and strengthened the ties between HMU and the University of Debrecen, opening new paths for future collaborations. Such visits contribute significantly to HMU’s internationalisation strategy, enhance its international presence, and create new prospects for education and research.
