The web portal Study in Greece is campaigning for the promotion and international visibility of Greek Universities and the comparative educational advantages of our country. In particular, the campaign focuses on the foreign language study programs that Greek Universities offer to Greek and international students. The initiative is supported by the General Secretariat of Higher Education of the Ministry of Education and Religious Affairs and the General Secretariat for Greeks Abroad and Public Diplomacy of the Ministry for Foreign Affairs. In this context, a number of educational programs and actions are presented in detail on a regular basis, such as undergraduate and postgraduate programs, summer schools etc, to inform international students about the many foreign language options offered by Greek Universities.

Panagiotis Partsinevelos is a Professor of Space Informatics and Unmanned Systems and Director of the Laboratory of Geodesy and Informatics of Geosciences at the School of Mineral Resources Engineering of the Technical University of Crete.  He is also the Director of the MSc in Sustainable Technologies of Energy Resources and Raw Materials.

Study in Greece interviewed Professor Panagiotis Partsinevelos on the MSc in Sustainable Technologies of Energy Resources and Raw Materials, its features and what it has to offer to international students.

School of Mineral Resources Engineering of the Technical University of Crete at Chania

Please give us a brief overview of the MSc in Sustainable Technologies of Energy Resources and Raw Materials, its structure and main research areas.

The Sustainable Technologies of Energy Resources and Raw Materials MSc is a 3-semester 90 ECTS program delivered under a hybrid mode in English by the School of Mineral Resources Engineering of the Technical University of Crete. It is structured around two core pillars: Energy Resources, focusing on reservoir engineering, Carbon Capture & Storage (CCS), and biofuels and Raw Materials, focusing on low-grade ore and near-zero-waste processing, critical raw materials recovery and recycling. These scientific areas are supported by high-end research laboratories equipped with advanced technological infrastructure, from geostatistical modeling and seismic processing to geoinformatics, automation and robotics. In addition, the implementation of many national and EU-funded projects in our School enables students to get acquainted with top quality research that advances beyond the current state of the art (SoA) and generates scientific breakthrough. The contribution of this Master’s program lies in providing high-level expertise in the extraction, processing, recycling, and environmental management of mineral raw materials and energy resources, a matter of strategic importance at both the national and global levels.

Could you tell us a few things about the program’s alignment with the Technical University of Crete’s broader picture and goals for internationalization?

The program extends well beyond the University’s strategy since the energy and mineral resources fields define the backbone of modern economies and the primary reason for geopolitical balance. The program provides the knowledge of sustainable extraction methods for strategic autonomy in the supply chains of rare earth elements and energy resources while enabling students to decouple the link between economic growth and environmental degradation through circular economy principles.

Thus, internationalization is a defining necessity and prerequisite of our program, scaled from local to global challenges.

In addition, through its core participation in the EURECA-PRO European University alliance, one of the strategic University alliances across Europe, the MSc program facilitates the cross-border mobility of engineering talent required to implement UN Sustainable Development Goal 12 (Responsible Consumption and Production). The MSc addresses a multicultural academic environment. It directly connects TUC’s engineering expertise with the European industrial network, facilitating mobility and collaborative research across borders.

“Sustainability” seems to be a term used so frequently that it may lose its meaning. How does sustainability take form in your MSc?

In this program, sustainability is defined by technical efficiency and hands-on results. It is embedded in the Low Environmental Footprint modules and Sustainable Mineral Processing objectives. Rather than theoretical discussion, sustainability in our program is translated to engineering systems that minimize waste, maximize the recovery of secondary raw materials from industrial by-products, and ensure the geomechanical safety of energy infrastructure. On the principle of technical verticality, sustainable solutions cannot be dissociated from a full understanding of the physical processes of production and extraction, requiring deep knowledge of thermodynamics, geomechanics, and chemical processing. Meaningful decarbonization and resource efficiency are not achieved through administrative management alone, but through the fundamental redesign and reengineering of industrial workflows, essential to the global industrial transition. In addition to the term “sustainability” we also introduce and justify another term in our MSc program, “responsible” mining and processing of raw materials mainly for the production of critical and strategic elements.

Please give us a few examples of the professional prospects for graduates of the program.

Graduates enter the global market as specialized engineers capable of leading and managing the routes of the energy transition and raw materials challenges. Career paths include resource engineers for the critical minerals supply chain, subsurface engineers for carbon sequestration and geothermal projects, environmental engineers in the recycling industries and consultants for international energy firms navigating the transition to net-zero, Social License to Operate (SLO) and ESG Governance. Also, the future of the sector focuses on digital mining, automation, robotic systems, digital twins, AI, In-Situ Resource Utilization (ISRU)and data analytics, to drive sustainability, circular economy practices, and environmental risk mitigation in industrial extraction sectors. 

Could you share a few insights on the international outlook of the program? What impact will your graduates expect to create in sustainable development on a global level?

The program specifically addresses the technical demands of the European Green Deal and the Critical Raw Materials Act (CRMA). The program aligns with the global shift to a sustainable energy economy, projecting a substantial increase in mineral demand by 2050, especially for battery metals, to meet net-zero targets. By mastering the extraction and processing of the materials required for renewable technologies, our graduates play a decisive role in securing global supply chains. Their impact will be reflected in the implementation of "Near-Zero-Waste" protocols and the development of cleaner energy resources that reduce global reliance on carbon-intensive fuels.

What is the one defining quality of your MSc that you believe makes it especially attractive to international students?

The defining quality of the MSc in Sustainable Technologies of Energy Resources is that it offers a direct path into the strategic autonomy sectors of the global economy, where the demand for expertise currently far exceeds the available supply. While many international programs address "sustainability" from a policy or environmental management perspective, this MSc focuses on the physicality of the transition, teaching the technologies required to secure the supply of critical raw materials (Lithium, Nickel. Cobalt, Copper, Rare Earth Elements) which are currently the primary bottleneck in the global economy.

By bridging the fields of raw material and energy resources, the program equips international students with the ability to understand and solve the energy-materials balance. This provides a direct path to becoming a high-level technical leader in the most strategic sectors of the future global economy.

Applications are now open! For more, follow the link:

https://apply.studyingreece.edu.gr/en/programmes/msc/1650/details/sustainable-technologies-of-energy-resources-and-raw-materials

Chania is a vibrant student city where history, innovation, and natural beauty meet. An inspiring Mediterranean destination offering exceptional quality of life and outdoor experiences. (Photo: https://www.visitgreece.gr/)

Read more:

https://www.visitgreece.gr/islands/crete/chania/

https://www.chaniatourism.gr/

The post International Program Stories / MSc in Sustainable Technologies of Energy Resources and Raw Materials at the Technical University of Crete, Chania appeared first on Greek News Agenda.

On May 29, the Grand Arsenal of Chania hosted an event that captures the new era opening for Greece’s largest island, Crete.  The Economist  and Powergame.gr  organized the conference “Investing in Change: How Crete is Being Transformed,” with thematic pillars spanning from development and tourism to infrastructure, energy, telecommunications, road safety, circular economy, and culture.

Crete is currently at a pivotal development crossroads. Major infrastructure projects that are being implemented or planned — from road networks and water management works to energy interconnections — combined with strategic investments in tourism and hospitality, are shaping a new development model for the island and for the Greek periphery as a whole. Strengthening infrastructure resilience, ensuring the sustainable use of natural resources, upgrading the tourism product and attracting international investment constitute decisive factors for the long-term prosperity of Crete and of Greece. The main pillars to be addressed during the conference include:

• The strategic importance of major infrastructure projects for Crete’s economic growth
• Investments in tourism and the transition to a high-quality, sustainable hospitality model
• The role of energy and interconnections in shaping a new productive landscape
• The contribution of local production and the primary sector to the island’s extroversion
• The cooperation between Government, Local Authorities and the private sector in accelerating development.

(Source, agenda and key speakers: https://events.economistenterprise.com/  )

In the context of the conference, Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis participated as the keynote speaker in a conversation with Mariana Mazzucato, Professor in the Economics of Innovation and Public Value at University College London. The discussion was moderated by Alasdair Ross, Countries Editor for The Economist’s The World Ahead, and Joan Hoey, Greece analyst and Europe consultant for the Economist Intelligence Unit (EIU).

In his opening remarks, referring to Greece’s economic transformation and the investments being made in Crete, the Prime Minister noted, among others:

“We are in Crete, and this is an island which has benefited tremendously from significant public investment. And let me just highlight three projects of great importance. The first, which has already been completed, is the two electric interconnections between Crete and the mainland. These are important not only for reasons of energy security, but also because Crete used to burn diesel oil in order to produce electricity, and now it can benefit from an interconnected network and also leverage the significant renewable potential that the island has.”

“The second incredibly big public investment has been the new airport in Iraklion. When we’re looking at the potential of this island as the sort of the epicenter of the dynamic Greek tourism industry, we cannot envision an island growing to the 21^st century with 20^th century infrastructure. The old airport in Heraklion is struggling to meet the increased demands of people wanting to come to Crete. So building a brand new airport was a priority for us. It will be ready hopefully in 2028. 70% of the project has been completed.”

“And the third big infrastructure project was building a new highway that essentially runs across the northern part of the island. Again, a very significant public investment in infrastructure which is necessary to drive the island forward.”

“So for us, when we look at our agenda, public investments do play an important role alongside policies that foster entrepreneurship, bring in investment, and leverage the comparative advantages of our country. And of course, also all these projects, they’re being constructed by our big construction companies. So this is essentially a public-private partnership, given that these are concession models, which in our mind work very, very well. So this is no longer just about stabilizing the country, improving its image abroad. I think this work to a great extent has been done. Of course, we always need to be very vigilant. This is about the new phase of growth in which public investment plays a very, very important role, especially here in Crete.”

(Source: https://www.primeminister.gr/en/2026/05/29/38626 , Photos: https://www.ertnews.gr )

Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis in conversation with Mariana Mazzucato at the “Investing in Change: How Crete Is Being Transformed” conference in Chania

The President of the Hellenic Republic, Konstantinos A. Tasoulas, officially opened the proceedings of the conference noting, among others: "Twenty-eight centuries ago, the beauty and wealth of Crete were described in the Odyssey by Odysseus himself, speaking to Penelope in Book 19: ‘There is a land called Crete in the midst of the wine-dark sea, fair and fertile, surrounded by water, with countless people and ninety cities...’ It is this Crete that has brought us together today—to speak about its beauty and its potential for the sustainable development of its natural wealth, which it has preserved through the centuries."

(Source: https://www.presidency.gr/)

Mr. Apostolos Tzitzikostas, European Commissioner for Sustainable Transport and Tourism, delivered a Keynote speech about the importance of European connectivity for sustainable development. Mr Tzitzikostas noted, among others, "Europe is investing in Crete. Through the Connecting Europe Facility (CEF), through its infrastructure and transport budget, through the European Investment Bank, through cohesion policy, and through investments in transport, energy, and tourism. It is investing through the Recovery and Resilience Facility, which, with €1.37 billion in funding, supports 93 businesses, 72 of which are small and medium-sized enterprises. Europe invests because it believes in this place. It invests because it recognizes its potential. It invests because Crete is not Europe’s periphery. Crete is the center of the Mediterranean. Europe, therefore, is not merely a source of funding. It is a partner; it is an ally. And connectivity is not a technical issue—it is a political one. It is a choice. It is a vision.”

“Crete possesses everything it needs to play a leading role and to become a strategic asset for Greece, which can and should develop into a central hub of the India–Middle East–Europe Economic Corridor (IMEC), indeed serving as one of its key terminal gateways. Just as Greece is evolving into a strategic hub for the whole of Eastern Europe through the Aegean–Black Sea rail and road corridor project that we have signed and are now launching—a project that has been my highest priority since I first assumed office. Crete has the geography, the culture, and the people. It now also has the infrastructure that is being built. The new era has already begun. Here. In Crete. In Chania."

(Source: https://ec.europa.eu/commission/ )

Minister of Infrastructure and Transport Christos Dimas presented the plans and progress of the major infrastructure projects that are transforming Crete.

Minister of Environment and Energy Stavros Papastavrou focused on the dynamic relaunch of Greece’s hydrocarbons programme, the prospect of the first exploratory drilling operation in the Ionian Sea in half a century, and Crete’s emergence as a new energy hub for the country were at the center of remarks by. He outlined Greece’s strategy for the role of natural gas and hydrocarbons within Europe’s evolving energy landscape. According to the minister, the presence of two of the world’s largest private oil companies, Chevron and Exxon Mobil, in Greece’s offshore concession areas is neither a temporary development nor simply a reflection of the policy shift in the United States following the election of Donald Trump. Rather, he argued, it is the result of a long-term and systematic effort that began several years earlier, with Greece making sustained investments in energy infrastructure and the collection of critical geological data.

(Source: https://www.amna.gr/, https://www.economistas.gr/ )

Minister of Culture Lina Mendoni noted, among others, "Culture is an important instrument of social cohesion. It brings society together in a variety of ways. At the same time, however, it is also a powerful driver of development.” The minister also referred to Greece’s approximately 28,000 archaeological sites and monuments—“an astonishing number,” as she described it—emphasizing that Crete is perhaps the place in the Mediterranean with the highest concentration of cultural assets, monuments, and archaeological sites. "Crete is also one of the most multilayered cultural landscapes, because it is not only home to an extraordinary wealth of archaeological sites and monuments spanning thousands of years, from antiquity to modern times. It is also defined by the immense strength of its traditions and intangible cultural heritage, expressed through its language, dances, songs, and gastronomy. Crete brings all of these elements together.” “At a time when major investments—such as the Northern Road Axis of Crete, the island’s energy interconnection projects, and the new airport at Kastelli—are creating critical infrastructure, what is needed, in my view, is a unifying element that ties all these developments together. That element is culture." Lina Mendoni also referred to the celebration marking the inclusion of the Minoan Palaces on the UNESCO World Heritage List, an inscription that took place in July 2025.

(Source: https://www.amna.gr/home/)

Tourism Minister Olga Kefalogianni noted "Crete is a place with a deep historical memory, a strong identity, and a decisive contribution to Greece’s development trajectory. At the same time, it embodies all the elements that make Greek tourism unique." She also underlined that Crete offers a unique and multifaceted tourism product, combining natural beauty, cultural heritage, and a strong gastronomic identity, thereby reinforcing its position as a year-round, 12-month destination. Addressing the role of Greek tourism, the minister noted that it remains a key pillar of the economy, employment, and regional development, making an especially significant contribution to Crete. The minister further referred to the major infrastructure projects being implemented by the government of Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis, which are creating new development prospects for Crete and significantly strengthening the island’s connectivity and competitiveness, alongside substantial private-sector investments in tourism.

(Source: https://mintour.gov.gr/  )

Video of the Conference “Investing in change: How Crete is being transformed” (GR)

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The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) has officially inscribed six Minoan Palatial Centres on Crete into its prestigious World Heritage List. This significant recognition, announced during the 47th session of the World Heritage Committee, marks an important achievement for Greece and acknowledges the profound global importance of these ancient centers.

The newly recognized sites are Knossos, Phaistos, Malia, Zakros, Zominthos, and Kydonia. These locations represent the zenith of the Minoan civilization, one of Europe's earliest advanced societies, which flourished between approximately 2800 and 1100 BCE. Knossos, in particular, was the most important city of Minoan Crete, continuously inhabited from the Neolithic period until the 5th century BC, reaching its peak from the 17th to the 15th century BC as a powerful political, economic, and artistic hub.

Unpacking Their Outstanding Universal Value

The Minoan palaces were recognized for their outstanding universal value, authenticity, and integrity, along with the robust protective frameworks in place. They are considered the most representative expression of the thriving Minoan society and culture. These architectural marvels served not only as administrative and economic centers but also as crucial religious and artistic hubs.

Key elements contributing to their inscription include:

• High Monumental Architecture: The palaces are creations of high monumental architecture, with complex architectural forms influenced by Egypt and the Near East, uniquely developed on Crete to serve the diverse needs of a hierarchical society. The legendary Labyrinth, designed for King Minos, symbolizes the structural complexity and monumentality of these palaces.

• Early Urban Development and Sociopolitical Structures: They offer evidence of early urban development and reveal complex sociopolitical structures organized around a hierarchical administrative system.

• Pioneering Writing Systems: The sites provide invaluable documentation for Europe's two oldest writing systems: Cretan Hieroglyphic and Linear A, both devised in Crete at the beginning of the 2nd millennium BCE.

• Economic and Cultural Exchange: The palaces offer material evidence of advanced early economic systems, including agriculture, animal husbandry, and extensive maritime trade across the Eastern Mediterranean. Minoan art, with its naturalistic characteristics, has influenced artistic creation worldwide across various fields such as philosophy, painting, literature, music, poetry, theatre, and cinema.

Culture Minister Lina Mendoni emphasized that these palaces were "not just administrative hubs—they were centers of art, innovation, and early writing systems," and their recognition "affirms their global significance". Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis further highlighted that this recognition affirms the Minoan civilization, "one of the most brilliant of the prehistoric Aegean," as a "root of European thought and aesthetics".

A Long and Arduous Journey to Recognition

The path to UNESCO inscription was a lengthy and dedicated collective effort, spanning many years. A previous attempt in 2003 to nominate only the palace of Knossos was abandoned due to significant issues in its surrounding environment. In 2014, five of the palaces (excluding Zominthos) were included as a "serial inscription" on Greece's national indicative list, a mandatory preparatory stage. The comprehensive nomination dossier for UNESCO was assembled in 2018, overcoming "administrative arrhythmias" that were corrected by 2020, at which point the thoroughly studied Zominthos was also integrated into the candidacy.

The final dossier, exceeding 600 pages, had to meticulously document the universal significance and authenticity of the six sites, as well as their protection framework. Submitted in September 2024 and finalized in January 2025, it adopted a holistic approach, satisfying UNESCO's requirements for promoting archaeological sites and protecting them from climate change. This included an "integrated spatial investment" strategy and a detailed management plan.

The successful inscription is the result of coordinated efforts led by the Greek Culture Ministry, in collaboration with the Region of Crete, local and foreign archaeological teams, academic institutions like the University of Athens, and multiple state bodies, including the Ministry for Climate Crisis and Civil Protection and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The Permanent Representative of Greece to UNESCO, Giorgos Koumoutsakos, gratefully acknowledged the "collective, not individual effort" and the "impeccable cooperation of all" involved.

The vote at the 47th session was unanimous, a rare occurrence that greatly impressed UNESCO's leadership, including Director-General Audrey Azoulay.

The Implications: Protection, Visibility, and Responsibility

This UNESCO designation brings a multitude of benefits for the Minoan palaces:

• Enhanced International Visibility: The sites will gain significant international exposure, placing Crete's Minoan legacy firmly on the world map.

• Increased Tourism: The recognition is expected to boost visitor numbers, contributing to Crete's global cultural role. Tourism Minister Olga Kefalogianni called this a "moment of vindication for our culture and our national pride" and noted Knossos is "a reference point for the tourist identity of our country". She further highlighted culture as a high-value tourist resource, central to Greece's strategy for sustainable and quality tourism.

• Greater Protection: The inscription ensures stronger protection for these invaluable sites.

However, this recognition also entails significant responsibilities for Greece. As Minister Mendoni explained, UNESCO bestows its "brand," but it also places a binding obligation on the member state to implement the commitments made in the nomination dossier. This includes addressing existing issues, such as unauthorized constructions around Knossos, which the state is now obliged to limit or demolish. Ongoing projects to improve accessibility and external areas, like interventions at Knossos' reception areas, flood protection at Malia, and studies for Phaistos and Kydonia, underscore these commitments.

Crete Regional Governor Stavros Arnaoutakis called the inscription a "turning point" for the island, crowning years of systematic work and elevating its global cultural role beyond preservation, boosting education, tourism, and Crete's international image.

Looking ahead, Greece has set its sights on its next UNESCO targets, with a joint proposal for Mount Olympus (as both a natural and cultural asset) submitted for evaluation at the 48th UNESCO session, followed by the candidacy for Ancient Nicopolis.

The inclusion of the Minoan Palaces on the UNESCO World Heritage List is akin to a precious, ancient manuscript finally being housed in a universal library. It not only safeguards these invaluable chapters of human history for future generations but also opens them up to a global audience, allowing the wisdom, art, and societal structures of an ancient civilization to inspire and inform the modern world.

I.L., with information from APE-MPA, Greek Tourism Pages and Kathimerini.

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