– Visit of Archbishop Anastasios to the American Agricultural School of Thessaloniki, which will support the Establishment of the Agronomic Sciences Institute in Sukthi, as Branch of the Logos University College –
From May 20 to 22, 2017, Archbishop Anastasios visited the American Agricultural School of Thessaloniki. The visit aimed to intensify the contacts and concretize the cooperation on the development of activities in the agricultural and agro-food sector of the Orthodox Autocephalous Church of Albania and in particular on the preparation of specialists in this field. Archbishop Anastasios was accompanied by the Metropolitan of Amantias, His Eminence Nathanail, Deacon Spiro Topanxha and Mr. Orfea Beci.
His Beatitude was closely introduced to the historical progress of the school, which functions as a full college with several educational units, ranging from kindergarten to bachelor studies in the agro-food sector education. He became acquainted with its achievements in the fields of education and scientific research, as well as with the ways by which the very experienced school staff can come to aid in the establishment of the Agronomic Sciences Institute, as a branch of the Logos University College.
Archbishop Anastasios was received by the President of the School, Dr. Panos Kanelis. Also he met the members of the school board and the directors of the constituent units of the Institution during his stay on campus. He had a further special meeting with Dr. Kanelis for a detailed elaboration on the steps envisaged in the agreement signed several months ago between him, in the capacity of the President of Logos and Mr. Kanelis, as President of the American Agricultural School about the project of the establishment of our Institute in Sukthi.
In this context, Dr Kanelis declared that the American Agricultural School has already received this project under direct support; with respect to both the basic studies conducted under Albanian legislation and other activities, such as the ongoing qualification of farmers, the pilot application of advanced breeding and breeding methods, animal reproduction, ecological culture etc. More specifically, their Institute and the Faculty of Professional Food Procession have established a special working group which would be in constant contact with their counterparts and respond to all the needs for the fulfillment of the project.
Archbishop Anastasios met with the students of the two high schools of the College, the one of the general studies and the other of professional agro-food studies. He blessed them on the occasion of the closing of the academic year and their final examinations. He also had a special meeting with outstanding students of the senior classes, where to his excitement there were pupils from Albania as well. His Beatitude addressed them specifically, urging them that wherever they go and in spite of their successes in education and qualification never to forget their homeland and to always find opportunities to help and contribute in their country.
While in the big hall of the ceremonies of the college, Archbishop Anastasios was received with welcoming songs from the choir of the students and blessed the children of the elementary school and of the kindergarten.
Archbishop Anastasios was closely acquainted with the infrastructure of their farm, which is didactic, researching and productive, and which has proven to be a valuable experience which will guide all the steps that our Church has undertaken in this regard.
The President of the School, Dr. Kanelis, said that this visit will remain a very important event for the institution, the teaching staff, the employees and especially for the pupils and the students community. He expressed gratitude for the gifts of light, of blessing and of God, which Archbishop Anastasios had conveyed in a unique way. He also announced the decision of the school board to award two scholarships to the youth selected by our Church: one in farming and the other one in crop processing.
Archbishop expressed his gratitude for this gift, but also for their readiness shown from the very beginning and also during his entire visit in order to assist the agricultural program of our Church and of Logos University College. Our Church, seeking new ways to contribute to the country’s progress in general, is naturally oriented in the agricultural sector and chose an avant-garde institution such as this school in order to contribute with its valuable experience in the respective field.
The Institute of Agronomic Sciences
In the framework of the deepening and the extension of the Logos University College, on the basis of the opportunities provided by the legal framework for higher education in Albania, and also with the aim of continuing our Church activity in the agrarian and environmental sector, Archbishop Anastasios is concretizing his initiative for the establishment of a professional college in Sukthi, as part of the Logos, which would function as an Institute of Agronomic Sciences. The fulfillment of this ambitious project on the one hand will provide opportunities for young students, both male and female to receive qualified education in the field of agricultural and livestock production, but, on the other hand, it will be a support to the empowerment of the country’s economy, by providing worthy technique and staff in a sector with significant weight in the production activity.
Throughout these years of revival and advancement, the Orthodox Autocephalous Church of Albania under the care and inspiration of Archbishop Anastasios has supported the application of pilot programs in the creation of agricultural farms (both in Rrushkulli and Xarra), in promoting alternative cultivations of aromatic and medicinal plants (training workshops in Elbasan areas), environmental activities (programs with foreign universities and development of ecology in educational institutions) etc. All of these are done in order to improve the life standart of the church community, since most of the faithful live in rural and agrarian areas, but also to cultivate the love for the land especially for the young generation, so that the youth become more focused on economic activities related to agriculture, livestock and food processing.
The institute that is taking shape with the expertise of one of the most qualified centers in Greece and not only, such as the American Agricultural School of Thessaloniki (the Assistance Group is under the auspices of the Dean of the Professional Faculty, Dr. Vangelis Vergos), will belong to the higher school level and will function in four semiannual academic programs. It aims at qualifying students initially in two branches: agrarian farm management and marketing of agro-food product. At the end of their studies, students will receive a professional diploma.
In addition, another aim of such an endeavor is to establish an exemplary farm which will serve as didactic infrastructure to both students and producers. It will be established in Sukthi, in an area of land that allows uninterrupted agricultural development.
According to the most recent experiences, the ambition is for the center to serve for constant qualification through short-term seminars and field practices to people coming from entire Albania.
