For the first time in the history of the competition, a Greek team claimed the 1st place at the Project Management Championship (PMC) 2025, held in Warsaw, June 6th – 7th, among top university teams from across Europe and the world.
The competition, organized by the Young Crew of the International Project Management Association (IPMA) — one of the leading global organizations in Project Management — tested participants through a simulation of a complex business project under intense time pressure. The challenge demanded realistic project management: leadership, decision-making, and teamwork under stress.
The University of Piraeus Winning Team was represented by students from the Department of Industrial Management and Technology (IMT): Giorgos Vellis and Kostas Sakellariou (postgraduate students in Project Management), and Anastasia Michioti and Andreas Mandakas (final-year undergraduate students).
The Greek team stood out among previous champions and distinguished international competitors, impressing the scientific committee with their strategy, data-driven decision-making, and flawless teamwork. “The chemistry and trust between the members were exceptional,” said Professor Dimitrios Emiris, academic supervisor and Chair of the IMT Department. “They didn’t just prepare — they trained like professionals and that made all the difference.”
This is the first time in the competition’s 15-year history that a Greek team has reached the top — a landmark success for Greek higher education on a global scale and a Milestone for Greece.
This victory confirms the quality of education and practical training offered by the University of Piraeus — especially in the rapidly growing field of Project Management, which spans sectors like technology, industry, finance, and social innovation.
The university’s postgraduate program, offered by the Department of Industrial Management and Technology, is the first and only one in Greece that awards a Master’s Degree (MSc) exclusively in Project Management. It is fully accredited by the Hellenic Authority for Higher Education (HAHE) and aligned with international standards, blending theory with hands-on application.
“We built this program over nearly 15 years of experience. It’s not just education — it’s a leadership accelerator,” noted Professor Dimitrios Emiris.
Modern Project Management encompasses far more than scheduling and budgeting. It involves managing human resources, risks, quality, change, knowledge, and communication — and is increasingly vital in any organization striving for strategic agility and leadership. At the University of Piraeus, students don’t just study Project Management — they live it and apply it, on a global level.