UCL celebrates strong Greek connections at ambassadorial reception

6 June 2024

UCL reinforced its strong academic and cultural ties with Greece during a special reception at the Residence of the Greek Ambassador to the UK in London. The event highlighted the impact of UCL collaborations with Greek partners and the strength of the Greek alumni community.

UCL reinforced its strong academic and cultural ties with Greece during a special reception at the Residence of the Greek Ambassador to the UK in London. Hosted by His Excellency Yannis Tsaousis, Ambassador of the Hellenic Republic to the Court of St James's, the reception showcased the profound contributions of the Greek academic, student and alumni community at UCL.

The event featured presentations by Professor Helen Xanthaki from the Faculty of Laws and Professor Dimitrios Kanoulas from the Department of Computer Science, who showcased their research. These presentations, a testament to the academic excellence of UCL and its Greek scholars, highlighted the significant role they and many other Greek academics play in advancing global knowledge and innovation.

Dr Michael Spence, UCL’s President and Provost, thanked the Ambassador for his hospitality and highlighted the enduring connections between UCL and Greece. "UCL has always treasured our relationship with Greece, which is vividly reflected in our active collaborations and the dynamic community of Greek students and alumni in the UK and beyond."

Angharad Milenkovic, Vice-President (Advancement) at UCL, shared her enthusiasm about increasing UCL’s engagement with the Greek alumni community. "Tonight is a celebration and a stepping stone towards deeper collaboration and engagement. As we approach the 200th anniversary of UCL, our Greek alumni's energy and ideas are vital for shaping our future. Seeing so many alumni at the reception was fantastic and hearing about their UCL experiences and ongoing connections.

Ambassador Yannis Tsaousis commented on the significance of the event and recent legislative changes in Greece that aim to foster international academic cooperation. "Under the new Greek law on private universities, approved by the Greek Parliament on 8 March, Greece is focusing on international partnerships, which is a step forward for higher education and our country at large. This new law provides greater freedom and access to knowledge for all Greek students, opening educational opportunities in our country. The networking event organised by the Embassy of Greece in London in partnership with UCL at the Hellenic Residence was an excellent opportunity for all of us to meet and exchange views on future collaborations."

Dr Spence presented His Excellency with a framed drawing from the Iliad series by John Flaxman from UCL Art Museum’s Flaxman Collection, symbolising the shared cultural and educational values between UCL and Greece.

UCL celebrates strong Greek connections at ambassadorial reception

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