Meet our partner: Agricultural University of Athens
The Agricultural University of Athens
The Agricultural University of Athens (AUA) is the third-oldest university in Greece, established in 1920 as an independent higher education institute with university status. The mission of the AUA is to provide high quality educational work at undergraduate, postgraduate, and doctoral level as well as through lifelong learning programs, which corresponds to the latest developments in science and covers all scientific fields of the broader agricultural sector, including, among others, agri-food, biodiversity, blue growth, and the circular economy, as dictated by the approaches of integrated health and sustainable development. It also promotes basic and applied research and social development, represents the independence of science, and seeks meritocracy and social benefit through the exploitation of the results of science and technology. Our university’s vision is a dynamic positioning in the international academic environment and responding to needs of the Greek economy and society, such as productivity, growth, and development.
The AUA is organized into seven distinct Faculties, each comprising specialized Departments. Every Department functions as a core academic and administrative unit, dedicated to a specific scientific discipline. Through a carefully structured curriculum, each Department offers a comprehensive program leading to a single, accredited degree.
Partnerships between academic institutions and organizations in Greece and around the world are a key pillar in realizing the vision of the AUA. Through dynamic collaborations, we co-create the framework for advancing the agro-food sector in Greece, while contributing to international academic progress. AUA actively engages with universities, research centers, and industry bodies, both nationally and globally, to foster innovation, share knowledge, and promote sustainable development.
Research Areas at AUA
Research in AUA aims at creating new and using existing knowledge in all sectors of agronutrition, environmental ecology and agricultural economics, with the view of contributing to sustainable development and meeting modern challenges. Soil, atmosphere, water resources, microorganisms, plant and animal organisms, feed and food are among the areas of interest of the AUA scientific community, aiming at improvement of production processes, safety and quality of products and processes, development, innovation and sustainability.
Research aims are achieved through a combination of sciences, such as genetics, biotechnology, plant protection, hygiene, physiology, nutrition, bioinformatics, technologies of process and bioprocess, and agricultural economics, always implementing rules of sound management and practices. Interdisciplinarity, cooperation and innovation are the keywords in AUA research projects. The wide range of research areas contributes to the international recognition of the basic and applied research conducted by the AUA academic and scientific community members.Research is funded by National and European scientific/ research programmes, public or private organizations or endowments, whereas the financial management is carried out by the AUA Special Research Funds Account (E.L.K.E.).
AUA at InPlasTwin
The Agricultural University of Athens (AUA) plays a key role in the InPlasTwin project, representing Greece among the six participating partners. Led by Professor Dimitrios Savvas, Dean of the Faculty of Plant Sciences and Director of the Laboratory of Vegetable Crops, the AUA team brings longstanding expertise in soilless cultivation, plant nutrition, water management, greenhouse crop production, and post-harvest physiology.
Within InPlasTwin, AUA acts as a central research partner, contributing both facilities and scientific knowledge to experimental activities. AUA ιis the leader of work package 8 (WP8). At its experimental greenhouses and field plots, AUA will cultivate strawberries using biodegradable mulching films, assessing plant growth, yield, fruit quality (sugar content, vitamins, antioxidants, amino acids, proteins, lipids, minerals), and the potential uptake of micro- and nanoplastics (MNPs). These experiments will also be extended to small-scale field trials in Western Peloponnese, providing real-world validation.
AUA is also active in Knowledge Exchange WPs by sharing its expertise in hydroponics and greenhouse production with partners, while at the same time gaining new skills in MNP detection, characterization, and analysis through training at VITO, DTU, and IMR. In Dissemination and Communication activities (WP9 & WP10), AUA will ensure that results are transferred to farmers, food producers, and policymakers, enhancing awareness of plastic pollution in agriculture and supporting the adoption of sustainable practices.
At the forefront of AUA’s involvement are Prof. Dimitrios Savvas, along with his research team and technical staff, who will ensure that the InPlasTwin project creates scientific knowledge with direct applications for sustainable crop production and food safety in Greece and beyond.
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