Inauguration of CITY College, University of York Europe Campus

The beginning of a new era for CITY College

Building on 30 years of achievement, CITY College has entered a new era. CITY College is now the Europe Campus of a top British university, the University of York. This key milestone in the history of CITY College was formally marked with the ‘Inauguration of CITY College, University of York Europe Campus’ that successfully took place on 18 November at the Digital Transformation and Digital Skills Center (DT&S) – Cisco in Thessaloniki, Greece.

The event was held to celebrate the new status of CITY College as Europe Campus of the University of York, one of the best universities in the world. CITY College, University of York Europe Campus is part of the University of York community, one of the leading UK Universities in Europe. It is a unique international institution based in Greece but with satellite activities in 8 countries, and it is widely recognised throughout the region for its academic excellence. Also, CITY College jointly with the Faculty of Economics and Management of the University of Strasbourg, offers a unique educational opportunity for today's executives: the Pan-European Executive MBA dual degree programme delivered across South East & Eastern Europe, as well as the Caucasus region. Throughout its 30 year history, CITY College has continued to connect the UK with the whole region, Europe, and the world.

Mr. Yannis Ververidis, President and Principal of CITY College, University of York Europe Campus opened the event and warmly welcomed all guests. Mr. Ververidis’ speech was followed by an address by Professor Charlie Jeffery, Vice-Chancellor and President of the University of York. Welcome speeches were also delivered by Mr. Stavros Kalafatis, Deputy Minister of Interior (Macedonia - Thrace sector), Mr. Matthew Lodge, British Ambassador to Greece, Mr. Konstantinos Zervas, Mayor of Thessaloniki and Ms. Maria Tsakali, Head of Education, British Council, Greece. Senior officers from CITY College’s partner universities also spoke at the event: Dr Thierry Burger-Helmchen, Deputy Vice-President for Learning and Teaching, University of Strasbourg; Professor Remus Pricopie, Rector, National University of Political Studies and Public Administration of Romania; Professor Dimitar Trendafilov, Vice Rector for International Relations, New Bulgarian University; and Mr. Harry Daskalakis, President, Athens Tech. A distinguished member of CITY College's alumni community, Mr. Dimitris Lakassas, addressed the audience and the closing speech was delivered by the President of CITY's Student Union (CSU), Mr. Rron Lecaj.

Mr. Yannis Ververidis,
President and Principal of CITY College,
University of York Europe Campus
 

Professor Charlie Jeffery,
Vice-Chancellor and President
of the University of York
 

“We are delighted to start our new era as the Europe Campus of the University of York.” said Mr. Ververidis, “What connects us with the University of York are values, quality, purpose and vision. We are proud to be joining the community of a University that is characterised by excellence in both teaching and research and is always ranked among the best universities in the UK and the world. A University that exists for the public good,” adding: “We are, therefore, more than delighted to be able to continue to grow and develop and offer more opportunities to the people of the whole region and beyond working with, and as a part of, the University of York community”.

Dr Thierry Burger-Helmchen,
Deputy Vice-President for Learning and Teaching,
University of Strasbourg
 

Mr. Stavros Kalafatis,
Deputy Minister of Interior
(Macedonia - Thrace sector), Greece
 

In responding, the University of York Vice Chancellor and President, Professor Charlie Jeffery said: “Reflecting the shared visions and inclusive ambitions of both institutions, I am delighted that CITY College has been granted the status of CITY College, University of York Europe Campus. The strategic alliance that we all have built between CITY College and the University of York is reflective of our shared commitment to learning, teaching, and research. With the student’s experience at the heart of everything we do, we have a shared commitment to meeting the highest quality and standards”. Commenting on the opportunities provided through this partnership to students Prof. Jeffery stated: “We and our esteemed delivery and awarding partners will be giving students in Athens, Baku, Belgrade, Bucharest, Kyiv, Sofia, Tbilisi, Thessaloniki, and Yerevan, the passport to opportunities that a British (and also French in the case of the MBA) degree provides. Through this network, students will have access to a truly global community. This experience will in no doubt mean that those graduates will become leaders and champions of inclusion in whatever careers they pursue.”

The event was well-attended by representatives from regional business, industry, government, civil society organisations from the region as well as staff, students and alumni of CITY College.  Distinguished guests included: Ms. Sandrine Mouchet, Consul General of France and Director of French Institute in Thessaloniki, Dr Dukagjin Pupovci, Deputy Minister, Ministry of Education, Science, Technology and Innovation of Kosovo, Mr. Radostin Vankin, Consul General of Bulgaria in Thessaloniki, Mr. Dimitrios Kouvelas, Member of the Greek Parliament, Ms. Ioanna Kosmopoulou, Deputy Mayor for Education, Thessaloniki, Mr. Panayiotis Hasapis, Executive Vice-President, SEVE, Professor Alexandros Chatzigeorgiou, Dean, University of Macedonia, Thessaloniki, Mr. Vassilis Floridis, Chief Prosecutor of Thessaloniki and many others.

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