In his address, the rector of the University of Piraeus, Professor Michael Sfakianakis, pointed out that Dr. Nikolaos Angelopoulos belongs to the pioneers of the development of Greek tourism, having sealed an entire era with his exemplary and innovative actions and having highlighted, through example, the future model of the Greek tourist product. In addition, the University of Piraeus, with the first MBA in the Balkans with emphasis on Tourism (1999) and the first university Department of Tourism Studies in the country, aims to promote excellence in tourism education and the formation of high-level tourism scholars, on the one hand because Tourism is the main driver of development in our country and on the other because the diversity of tourism requires high level knowledge and skills. 
The Chair of the Department of Tourism Studies, Professor Angelos Kotios, presented the work (Laudatio) of Dr. Nikolaos Angelopoulos. He referred to his studies, his successful professional career in the private sector, his significant contribution to public life where he left his mark, pioneering in the tourism sector as well as his charity work.
The honoree mentioned that at the beginning of his career in the sector, tourism was discredited, with little political and social acceptance and a minimal quality footprint, so it took great struggle to turn it into today's driving force, which emphatically supports the current account balance. At the same time, the educational and scientific level of tourism executives was generally low as it did not exist as a discipline in Greek Universities. The Department of Tourism Studies of the University of Piraeus, although relatively new, with thoroughly trained professors and interfacing with businesses and agencies is an important step in the right direction of producing educated and skilled personnel for an industry that is overstretching its footprint lacking government care and planning.
Representatives from the political and wider business field, executives of independent administrative authorities as well as a number of academics and students honoured the ceremony with their presence.