 30 years of sustainable and fruitful cooperation with the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki (Greece)
Medical University "Prof. Dr. Paraskev Stoyanov" - Varna and the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki (Greece) have maintained excellent academic ties for more than 30 years. The first bilateral academic cooperation agreement, signed on September 16, 1994, has been periodically renewed throughout the years of successful cooperation.
The initial connection was made through the collaboration of the Departments of Anatomy and Biology. The two departments had joint developments and publications. Later, after the meeting of the then Rector of MU – Varna, Prof. Dr. Dimitar Kamburov, with Prof. Dr. Achileas Turkantonis (Rector of the University of Thessaloniki), the idea of signing an agreement for bilateral academic cooperation was born, and the first such agreement signed at MU – Varna in 1994. Years of very intensive collaboration in the field of teaching and research followed between many different departments, as well as between our university hospitals. Three bilateral scientific meetings were organized between MU – Varna and the University of Thessaloniki. In 1996, 28 lecturers and habilitated persons, representatives of over 20 departments from MU – Varna participated in a bilateral scientific conference in Thessaloniki.
Prof. Dr. Achilleas Tourkantonis became an honorary doctor (doctor honoris causa) of MU - Varna at the first official ceremony for the awarding of this highest university title.
At that time, the joint project for the creation of a university computer network began, which was initiated with the active participation of Prof. Dr. George Anogianakis. Thanks to this project, the Information Center (IC) at MU - Varna was equipped with computers. The first telecommunication connection was also made - a teleconference between Prof. Dr. T. Temelkov and his colleague from Aristotle University.
At the initiative and invitation of Prof. George Anoyanakis, Medical University - Varna also participated in other joint projects under the INTERREG interregional cooperation program. Throughout the partnership, visits and exchanges of guest lecturers and specialists took place.
Later, Prof. Dr. Anelia Klisarova twice re-signed the academic cooperation agreement, which expanded to include lecturers from the University of Thessaloniki in the English language medical programme since 2004 and to the opportunity for students of MU - Varna to conduct their clinical internships at the University Hospital of Thessaloniki. Two doctoral dissertations by alumni and currently lecturers at the University of Thessaloniki were defended at the Medical University of Varna (Dr. Antonia Anogianaki in the field of physiology and Dr. Nikolaos Kozeis - in the field of ophthalmology).
Aristotle University was one of our first partners in the exchange of students under the ERASMUS program, which continues to this day with great interest from students of both universities. Throughout the establishment, development and maintenance of stable academic relations, the international cooperation departments play a key role in all these activities, continuing to work with consistency and initiative.
On July 8, 2025, during his visit to the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki (Greece), Prof. Dr. Mario Milkov met with Prof. Dr. Stefanos Triaridis - Dean of the Faculty of Medicine. Both shared their satisfaction with the sustainable results of many years of collaboration, especially in the fields of anatomy, biology, physiology, imaging diagnostics, nuclear medicine, etc. Scientists from both universities participate in joint scientific forums, exchange valuable professional experience and participate in joint scientific projects.
Prof. Dr. Mario Milkov extended an invitation to Prof. Triaridis to participate in the 8th International Symposium on Obstructive Sleep Apnea and Snoring in September 2025, as well as to give an honorary lecture to the academic community of the Varna Medical University.
Aristotle University of Thessaloniki is the largest university in Greece. It consists of 10 faculties, which include 40 schools and 1 faculty with one school. Aristotle University has approximately 88,283 students, 77,198 in bachelor's programs, 6,588 in master's programs and 3,952 at doctoral level. The university employs 1,682 faculty members. The Faculty of Medicine was recently ranked as the best medical faculty in Greece out of seven. It is the largest faculty at Aristotle University not only in Greece but also in the whole of Southeastern Europe. Since 1942, over 30,000 graduates have pursued brilliant careers, actively improving health standards in societies around the world. The Faculty of Medicine has 82 medical departments and laboratories, 60 clinics in 7 city hospitals, 1 university hospital, 6 branches, 22 laboratories and 10 amphitheaters. |
 Old friendship and new horizons ahead of the partnership with the University of Rostock (Germany)On June 26, 2026, the Vice-Rector for International Relations, Prof. Dr. Mario Milkov, visited the University of Rostock. He conveyed the greetings of Prof. Dr. Dimitar Raykov to the rector of the German university, Prof. Dr. Elisabeth Prommer, and expressed his satisfaction with the successful exchange of students within the framework of the Erasmus+ program over the past more than ten years. The Rector of MU - Varna also shared his confidence that the intensity of our academic ties can be enriched with activities within the framework of a bilateral academic cooperation agreement. Prof. Milkov was received extremely warmly by his colleagues and personally by the Vice-Rector for International Cooperation Dr. Sibil Bachmann and the Dean of the Faculty of Medicine Prof. Berndt Krause. He was familiar with the modern educational and research facilities of the medical faculty at the German university. The following possible areas of cooperation were discussed at the working meeting - robotic surgery, bioimplants in the field of medicine and dentistry, nutrition, ophthalmology and otorhinolaryngology.
The University of Rostock is a public university located in Rostock, Mecklenburg-Vorpommern, Germany. Founded in 1419, it is the third oldest university in Germany. It is the oldest university in continental Northern Europe and the Baltic Sea region, and the eighth oldest in Central Europe. It is the fifth university founded in the Holy Roman Empire. The university is associated with three Nobel laureates: Albrecht Kossel, Karl von Frisch and Otto Stern. It is a member of the European University Association. According to a ranking published by Times Higher Education in 2018, it is the most beautiful university in Germany and the fourth most beautiful university in all of Europe. Today, with around 14,000 students and nearly 3,000 employees in the healthcare sector, the University of Rostock offers fascinating perspectives in almost all scientific fields. It has excellent interdisciplinary research areas in the natural and technological sciences, medicine, life sciences, humanities and cultural studies. |
