Year in Review 2025

Year in Review 2025

Together with you, we would like to look back on a successful year for DAAD Greece and present some of our activities.

Schools

One of DAAD’s key target groups is students at Greek schools. Throughout the year, we had the pleasure of regularly visiting various schools in Athens and across the regions to inform pupils about Germany as a study destination. We are particularly pleased that this year we were also able to visit some new schools, such as the High School of Velo in Corinthia.

Universities

Universities, of course, could not be left out. We regularly held informational presentations on a wide range of topics (scholarships, studying abroad, research opportunities, etc.) at universities throughout Greece. Of special importance to us is the dialogue with students, which helps us gain insight into the contemporary issues that concern them.

Stammtisch

The established Stammtisch meetings also continued in 2025, organized by former kulturweit volunteer Amany Mohamed. These gatherings regularly offered young people the opportunity to meet in a relaxed atmosphere, discuss various topics, and improve their German language skills.

Falling Walls Lab Greece

DAAD Greece once again organized the Falling Walls Lab Greece. The Falling Walls Lab is an internationally recognized pitch competition and networking forum for students and young professionals, where innovative ideas are presented in three-minute pitches. It is a globally established event showcasing innovative solutions to contemporary global challenges.

In cooperation with the Hellenic Open University, DAAD Greece organized the Falling Walls Lab Greece in Patras on 19 September, where Greek participants presented their ideas. We were delighted to meet inspired young people and their projects, and to send the winner, Panagiotis Boutos, to Berlin, where he represented Greece from 6–9 November at this year’s Falling Walls Science Summit. The event was attended in person by the organizers, Prof. and DAAD scholarship holder Ioannis Kalavrouziotis and the Head of the Office, Vasiliki Frentzou.

Energy in Everyday Life

On 3 June 2025, a joint event on sustainability and the energy transition was held at the Goethe-Institut Athen, organized by VDI Greece and DAAD. Experts from Germany and Greece highlighted the potential of green hydrogen, international research programs, and innovative approaches in construction and infrastructure. A central focus was also the creation of a strong network of engineers in Greece, aimed at strengthening international cooperation, knowledge exchange, and professional opportunities—especially for young scientists.

Welcome and Information Day / German Students: Visit of HAW Ludwigsburg and HAW Neu-Ulm to DAAD

What does entrepreneurship mean in practice? On 8 May 2025, Konstantinos Lambou—graduate of the German School of Athens, DAAD scholarship holder, and PASCH network alumnus—presented his entrepreneurial journey during the visit of Hochschule Neu-Ulm and Hochschule Ludwigsburg.

His presentation highlighted that career paths are not always linear and are often shaped by challenges and valuable experiences. After receiving a PASCH network scholarship and studying Biology in Heidelberg, he is now successfully working in the fields of marketing and research.

DAAD Greece in Crete (Chania, Rethymno, and Heraklion)

From 19 to 22 May, DAAD Greece visited Crete—specifically the Technical University of Crete, the University of Crete, and the Hellenic Mediterranean University—with the aim of informing students about scholarship programs and the German higher education system. In cooperation with Campus France, Fulbright, and the Goethe-Institut Athen, informational and networking events were held at universities and with educational institutions. The goal was to strengthen cooperation and the educational network between Greece and Germany.

Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between DAAD and SiG

On 10 September, on the sidelines of the European Association for International Education (EAIE) academic fair, a networking (matchmaking) event between universities from Greece and Germany took place. The event was organized by the DAAD Centre for International Academic Cooperation (KIWi), DAAD Greece, and the organization Study in Greece (SiG).

The central highlight of the event, titled “Exchange for excellence in higher education: German-Greek matchmaking reception,” was the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between DAAD and SiG. The aim is to strengthen cooperation between German and Greek institutions, improve services and integration opportunities for international students, and support the implementation of internationalization strategies.

Scholars’ Event: Water Scarcity in the Mediterranean

On 10 July 2025, a scientific event on water scarcity in the Mediterranean was held at the European Public Law Organization (EPLO) in Athens. The aim was to analyze the water crisis as a shared, cross-border challenge and to present possible solutions. The event was organized by Professor and DAAD scholar Ioannis Katsogiannis in cooperation with the DAAD Greece Information Centre and the Alexander von Humboldt Scholars’ Association.

Experts from science, economics, and public institutions presented current challenges, forecasts, and innovative measures for sustainable water management. Special emphasis was placed on the long-standing scientific cooperation between Greece and Germany.

Scholars’ Event in Thessaloniki – 100 Years of DAAD

The highlight of the year was the alumni event in Thessaloniki on 24 October 2025, where we celebrated 100 years of DAAD and its scholars, as well as the cooperation with the German Consulate General in Thessaloniki, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, and the Goethe-Institut Thessaloniki.

Through a variety of activities throughout the day, the history, goals, and programs of DAAD, as well as its role and future perspectives, were presented. Lectures and presentations under the theme “Bridges of Science: How German-Greek Cooperation Advances Knowledge” explored bilateral cooperation, political frameworks at the European level, and the future role of science and research.

The guest of honor was Professor Vasileios Skouris, who spoke on “German-Greek Relations in Science.” Additional contributions were made by DAAD alumni Professor Eleni Argyriadou, Emeritus Professor Athanasios Kaisis, and Emeritus Professor Nikolaos Klamaris.

Musical variety was provided by the Academic Music Association of Thessaloniki, enhancing the festive atmosphere. In an interdisciplinary panel with the participation of senior academics from archaeology, psychology, legal sciences, and industry, different perspectives on contemporary scientific issues were discussed, with a focus on artificial intelligence, demographic change, and the climate crisis.

The event concluded with a celebratory evening at the Casa Blanca Gallery, in cooperation with the German Consulate General in Thessaloniki. The evening was culturally enriched with a guided tour of an art exhibition and ended with relaxed conversations, food, and drinks—of course with the essential birthday cake and live music.

An Inspiring Evening at the Greek Embassy in Berlin

DAAD Greece scholars and Alexander von Humboldt Foundation fellows met at a special event at the Greek Embassy in Berlin in November 2025, hosted by the Ambassador of Greece, Alexandros Papaioannou.

Greetings were also delivered by Vasiliki (Regina) Frentzou (DAAD Greece) and Dr. Efrosyni Chelioti (Federal Ministry of Research, Technology and Space).

Scholarships 2025

We would like to extend a warm welcome to the new graduates of DAAD Greece. Once again this year, we were able to award numerous scholarships, primarily for research, alumni re-invitations, postgraduate studies, and summer university courses in the German language. We look forward to the continued expansion of the DAAD alumni network.

Finally, we participated in joint events with our long-standing partners: Goethe Zentrum Patras, the Association of Greek Scholars in Thessaloniki, the German-Hellenic Chamber of Commerce and Industry (AHK), and especially the German Embassy in Athens.

We thank all partners, former scholars, and friends of the office for the creative year we shared and wish everyone a happy 2026!