On Monday, the 14th January, the University of Piraeus welcomed from Panama, 17 students and their two chaperons, on launching an educational program that includes learning Greek, familiarizing students with Greek culture and highlighting the close relations between Greece and Panama, through shipping and the economy.
The program aims to strengthen the ties between 4th generation expatriates with Greece, to promote bilateral cooperation between the two countries and to strengthen the intercultural cooperation of Greek institutions with educational institutions abroad.
Students participating in the program have the opportunity through a specially designed educational program with multi-thematic educational units and recreational / educational activities to study Greek culture and enrich their knowledge in the multi-disciplinary fields of history, archeology, art, sport and the environment.
Rector Angelos Kotios pointed out that the University of Piraeus, aiming to strengthen its role as a beacon of learning and culture, hosts a student reception ceremony and part of the courses.
The Ambassador of Panama in Greece, Mrs. Christine Liakopulos de Papadikis, thanked the University of Piraeus for its cooperation in a major project.
The ceremony was also attended by the Vice-Rector of Academic and International Relations Professor Pantelis Pantelidis, Professor Stratos Papadimitriou of the Department of Maritime Studies, the Deputy Secretary General for Foreign Hellenic Affairs of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Demetrios Pleurakis, the Cultural attache of the Panama Embassy in Greece Niki Economou, the Deputy Mayor of Piraeus Mr. Andreas Ventouris, the Director General of the University of Piraeus Popi Vassiliadou and the Advisor to the Mayor of Piraeus Gerasimos Aggeletakis.
Also present on behalf of the Greek-French school Jeanne d'Arc of Piraeus was Headmistress Angeliki Vokou and Sister Catherine Perri, and Elena Mourelatou, representative of the Odysseus & Athena Institute.
Ambassador Cristina Liakopulos de Papadikis was born and raised up in Panama. She graduated with a Diploma in Commerce from Maria Inmaculada College. She received her Bachelor s Degree in Accounting from the Latin American University of Science and Technology. She speaks Spanish, English and Greek. Prior to her posting in Greece on September 2014, Ambassador Cristina Liakopulos de Papadikis was Vice President of the Nikos Cafe Company in Panama and before that she worked in the banking sector. The Ambassador is an active member of the Panamanian Association in favor of Childhood (Pro Ninez) and of the Board of Directors of the Association of the Greek Ladies in Panama.
The students stayed in the country for twenty days (from January 11 to January 30) and had the opportunity to enjoy a multitude of activities.
They attended intensive Greek language courses, where they made significant progress but also had the opportunity to visit the Marathon Museum and the starting point of the classic Marathon . They went to Lavrio, to the ancient theater of Thorikos, to the ancient site of ore washing and visited the ancient port. They also toured Sounion and the Temple of Poseidon.
The children also visited Delphi and Agoriani, where they had the chance to see snow - for the first time in their lives. They also saw the Mornos Dam, the project and the artificial lake, which is the second largest earthen dam and the largest drinking water project in Europe.
They took theater lessons and acted as a chorus of “Antigone” at the Karolos Koun Art Theater. They visited the Stavros Niarchos Foundation where they attended educational activities, as well as the Acropolis Museum, the Parthenon, Plaka and Monastiraki. They were invited at Karaiskaki stadium, where they watched a team training session of Olympiakos and the match against Xanthi.
Of course, they sampled Greek cuisine and learned the secrets of Greek dances, learning Ikariotiko and Balos.
