The Department of Agricultural Development, Agri-Food and Natural Resources Management (AAADFP) is a modern, university department founded in 2019 (Government Gazette 13, vol. A, 29-1-2019). It is the first department of the School of Agricultural Development, Nutrition and Sustainability of the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens and marks the "opening" of the country's largest and most historic University to modern trends and challenges, such as the "2030 Agenda" for Sustainable Development of the United Nations., the European and international priorities for Climate Change, but also the National Strategy for Smart Specialization RIS3 (Research & Innovation Strategies for Smart Specialisation) which dictate the modernization of agricultural holdings, the exploitation of the comparative advantages of Greek agricultural products, food and services, and make imperative the need for Sustainable and Sustainable Development, with respect for the Environment and Biodiversity.
Department Profile
The mission of the Department of Agricultural Development, Agri-Food and Natural Resources Management is to treat and promote the science of Rural Development, Smart Farming, Food Technology, Natural Resources Management, Environmental and Biodiversity Protection, through application of interdisciplinary approaches and technologies with the ultimate goal of the sustainable development of the Greek countryside, the strengthening of extroversion and sustainable entrepreneurship, and the adaptation of the agri-food sector to the new challenges of the market of innovative agricultural products, food and services, capable of responding to international challenges.
More specifically, the AAADFP department aims to provide knowledge and expertise and research in subjects concerning:
- The development and management of Plant and Animal Production using modern, intelligent techniques and technologies dictated by Precision Agriculture
- The development in Food Science and Technology with an emphasis on the Authenticity of Greek Agri-Food Products and highlighting their exceptional Quality
- The rational Management of Natural Resources, the strengthening of the use of Renewable Energy Sources and the Protection of the Environment and Biodiversity with the simultaneous utilization of agricultural by-products in the context of the Circular Economy
- The Agricultural Economy and Management of Agricultural Businesses with an emphasis on Innovation, healthy competition and Entrepreneurship
The Department put emphasis on the provision of advanced knowledge in the fields of Chemistry, Biology, Biochemistry and Plant and Animal Physiology, while also expanding into Applied Informatics, Quality Assurance, Agricultural Economics, Product Processing, Innovation and Entrepreneurship, Marketing, as well as in more specialized subjects of the subject such as Soil Science, Precision Agriculture and Water Resources Management. In addition, it provides practice in scientific fields that cover every need in the Sciences of Agricultural Development, Agri-Food and Food Technology, as well as Natural Resources Management and Renwable Energy Sources, as well as in the development and promotion of research in modern fields of science.
According to UNESCO's international classification of scientific fields in education (ISCED 2013), the section is placed in the thematic section "08. Agriculture, Forestry, Fisheries and Veterinary", but it also extends to other thematic sections such as "05. Natural Sciences, Mathematics and Statistics" and "0413 Management and administration".
The department's students may attend part of their study cycle at European Universities through the Erasmus+ and Civis student exchange program. In addition, through an optional Internship option, professional experience useful for employment in private and narrow or wider public sector organizations can be acquired, at a national or international level.
In addition to the undergraduate course, students are offered the opportunity to prepare a doctoral thesis in interdisciplinary and interdisciplinary areas related to precision agriculture, agribusiness, food technology and biochemistry, environmental developments, management of the natural environment and climate change, the protection of ecosystems and biodiversity, low carbon footprint energy technologies, solid and liquid waste management technologies and sustainable development.
Admissions
Since 2022, admissions to the Department of Agriculture Dvelopment, Agri-Food and Natural Resources Management of the National and Kapodistrial University of Athens are open to students from these Scientific Fields:
- Scientific Field of Natural, Engineering and Technological Sciences (Scientific Field 2)
- Scientific Field of Health and Life Sciences (Scientific Field 3)
- Scientific Field of Economics and Information Science (Scientific Field 4)
