A group of delegates from the Hellenic Medical Society of Australia (HMSA) and Hellenic Diaspora World Congress met with representatives from the University of Melbourne’s (UoM) faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Health Sciences on Thursday, November 17.
The delegates included a group representing the HMSA, Greek university Professors, Greek General Secretary of the Ministry of Health, the Governor of Attica, the General Secretary of the Global Doctors Hippocratic Institute, as well as a team representing the Greek Community of Melbourne (GCM).
Hosted on the beautiful grounds of the UoM, the party embarked on a round table discussion about potential collaborations in areas such as cardiology, cancer and infectious disease research.
The highlight of the meeting was the signing of an agreement between the UoM, The University of Patras and the National Kapodistrian University of Athens. The signed agreement facilitates the development of important exchange programs and visitations for various groups, including undergraduates, postgraduates, and postdocs students.
The Chair of the Conference and Treasurer of the GCM, A/Prof Marinis Pirpiris, stated the following about the important agreement: “I am pleased to have helped develop the collaboration between the University of Melbourne, the National Kapodistrian University of Athens and the University of Patra.”
“With a commitment to cooperation in the fields of teaching and research, the three universities will explore the future engagement opportunities in joint activities such as lectures, seminars, workshops and visits, the exchange of academic materials, the exchange of faculty and the establishment of joint cultural programs,” Mr Pirpiris added.
“This is a wonderful and unique opportunity, which will help build partnerships and academic collaborations and create connections between students and academics from diverse backgrounds with a shared commitment and passion to overcome the challenges of the future.”
Professor Nicola Lautenschlager, Head of the Melbourne Medical School, said: “The University of Melbourne values deeply this new and promising relationship with the Universities of Athens and the University of Patras.”
“Together, there will be collaboration, the exchange of ideas and a way for our students to illuminate their curiosity and knowledge,” Professor Lautenschlager said.
“This exchange will help keep our students at the forefront of innovation in medicine and medical research. The University of Melbourne will use these relationships to enhance the education of our medical students and to nurture the passion for medicine.”
Professor Georgios Adonakis, Dean of the School of Medicine at the University of Patras, shared his excitement about the agreement.
“With great honour we signed today an agreement with the University of Melbourne School. It is of the highest calibre medical education institutions in Australia. This event marks the collaboration of both nations, its undergraduate students, postgraduate students, teaching staff, and marks the exchange of research and clinical content,” Professor Adonakis said.
“That means a lot for young doctors. It is a great advantage to have experience in today’s era of globalisation. It must also be noted that it is a great bonus to have experience and know-how shared by large institutions, like University of Melbourne – School of Medicine.”
President of the GCM, Bill Papastergiadis OAM, said: “Greece and Australia share a rich history and common values. Strengthening our ties is a vital part of the work of the GCM.”
“The achievement of an agreement between the universities in the field of medicine is a wonderful outcome which will lead to exchanges of both students and academic personnel. Developing these connections and promoting shared research will add significantly to the educational and cultural fabric of Australia and Greece,” Mr Papastergiadis said.
“I look forward to continuing to develop in the near future other additional relationships not just in medicine but other academic fields. Students in Melbourne will now have the chance to work and learn in the birthplace of Hippocrates, acknowledged as arguably the father of medicine.”
Mena Giannelis, Assistant Treasurer of the GCM, also highlighted the importance of the agreement.
“It’s a great honour to be part of the discussions and planning of the collaborative agreement between the University of Melbourne in Australia and Greek universities,” Ms Giannelis said.
“It is a fantastic opportunity for undergraduate and postgraduate students in Australia and in Greece to further their studies and research in each other’s countries. This collaborative agreement will be the first of its kind for Melbourne University and Greek universities, we hope that it will continue for a long time in the future.”
After the signing of the agreement, Dr Marios Themistokleous, General Secretary of Greece’s Ministry of Health, stated: “I am very happy to be here and we are supporting the agreement signed between the three universities and we believe these kind of collaborations will lead to exchange ideas between these institutions especially in researching, medical education and medical practice, always based on the values of Hippocrates.”
On Friday, November 18, the HMSA and Hellenic Diaspora World Congress will be officially opened and will run a number of expert panels on topics including accessing global health care and new medical technologies.
The Congress will conclude on Saturday, November 19 with a Fundraising Gala for community organisations PRONIA and Fronditha Care.
Present at the meeting were:
- Mr Marinis Pirpiris (Orthopaedic Surgeon, President, Hellenic Medical Society of Australia, Treasurer Greek Community of Melbourne)
- Mr Bill Papastergiadis OAM (President, Greek Community of Melbourne)
- Mr George Patoulis, (Orthopaedic Surgeon, Governor of Attica, President Athens Medical Association, President of the Global Doctors Hippocratic Institute)
- Mr Marios Themistocleous (Neurosurgeon, General Secretary of the Ministry of Health, Hellenic Republic)
- Professor Georgios Antonakis (Gynaecologist, Dean of the School of Medicine, Professor of Gynaecology at Patra University)
- Ms Vicky Kyritsis (Social Worker, Assistant Secretary and Board Member, Greek Community of Melbourne)
- Ms Mena Giannelis (Assistant Treasurer and Board Member, Greek Community of Melbourne)
- Mr Konstantinos Pantos (Obstetrician and Gynaecologist, First Vice President Global Doctors Hippocratic Institute)
- Antonios Polydorou (Cardiologist, General Secretary Global Doctors Hippocratic Institute, Ambassador of Hellenic Tourism)
- Mr Emmanuel Kakavelakis (Consul General, Melbourne)
- Government Officials.
From the University of Melbourne, the following will attend the roundtable discussion:
- Prof Nicola Lautenschlager, Head, Melbourne Medical School
- Prof Steve Trumble, Head, Department of Medical Education
- Dr Emily Karahalios, Melbourne School of Population and Global Health
- Dr Anastasios Polyzos, Department of Chemistry
- Ms Anatoli Amanatidis, Chancellery International
- Ms Malar Thiagarajan, Director of Major Initiatives, Government and Partnerships
- Mr Martyn Kreider, Project Manager – International
- Ms Weilun Nien, Project Officer – International
