The Institute of Natural Hazards Engineering (IMFYK) of the The Institute of Natural Hazards Engineering (IMFYK) of the Ionian University’s Pa.K.E.K. welcomed professors and students from the European University Alliance CIVIS (Europe’s Civic University Alliance) to its headquarters in Lixouri on Monday, June 30, 2025.
Forty-five (45) members of the academic community from the Universities of Marseille (Aix-Marseille Université), Bucharest (Universitatea din București), and Stockholm (Stockholm University), Salzburg (Paris Lodron University of Salzburg), and the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens (NKUA), while the entire educational activity was coordinated by NKUA, specifically by Professor Niki Evelpidou of the Department of Geology and Geoenvironment.
The visit is part of an educational program titled "Interplay of Landscape, Tectonics and Climate Change in the Mediterranean Context," which addresses issues related to the evolution of the geoenvironment, the impacts of climate change and tectonic activity, as well as the enhancement of knowledge regarding field methods and techniques.
On behalf of the Institute of Mathematics and Physics, the guests were welcomed by Professors Dionysios Th. G. Katerelos (Associate Professor), who delivered a welcome address and greeting on behalf of the Director of IMFYK, Professor Markos Avlonitis, and Nikolaos Aravantinos -Zafeiris, who presented in detail the activities of the IMFYK, particularly regarding issues related to the subjects of this specific CIVIS educational program.
The reception was attended by Archpriest Ioannis Fragiskatos as a representative of the Holy Metropolis of Kefalonia, Mr. Nektarios Aravantinos, Regional Councilor of the Ionian Islands Region and President of the Ionian Islands Agri-Food Partnership -Simonetos, as representative of the Region of the Ionian Islands, who initiated this event, and the Mayor of Lixouri, Mr. Georgios Katsivelis. Also in attendance were members of the Management Unit for the National Parks of Zakynthos, Ainos, and the Protected Areas of the Ionian Islands of the O.F.Y.P.E.K.A., led by the Unit’s Deputy Head, Dr. Michalis Xanthakis.
Subsequently, the visitors and members of the IMFYK visited sites of particular interest in Palliki, such as Kounopetra and the beach of Xi.
During the event, a fruitful dialogue developed between IMFYK members and CIVIS members, and a number of topics of mutual interest were identified, which are expected to form the basis for significant collaborations.
The educational program continued over the following days (through Friday, July 4, 2025) with visits to other locations in Kefalonia. IMFYK would like to thank the Region of the Ionian Islands and Deputy Regional Governor Mr. Sotiris Kouris for hosting the visit. In particular, it would like to thank Regional Councilor and President of the Ionian Islands Agri-Food Partnership, Mr. Nektarios Aravantinos-Simonetos, for his continued interest in the Institute, for his cooperation during this visit, and for the care he demonstrated both in hosting the guests and in the overall organization of the visit. It also thanks the Municipality of Lixouri for providing the venue for the event and for its hospitality. Finally, it thanks the President of the Local Community of Katogi, Mr. Evangelos Davris, for the hospitality and assistance he provided during the visit to the sites of Kounopetra and Xi.
