Pioneering partnership looks to establish university branches in key Greek cities

The strength of the partnership between the University of Essex and Omiros Education Group has led to an ambitious bid to establish a new university operating across Athens, Piraeus, Larissa and Thessaloniki.

The University of Essex has been undertaking detailed work over many months with Aegean Omiros to prepare an official application to the Greek Government for the establishment of Aegean Omiros University (AOU) as a ‘University Legal Entity’ (ULE).

Part of radical higher education reform in Greece to expand opportunities and increase competition, ULEs are partnerships between an overseas ‘parent’ university and approved private providers.

The AOU proposal is being led by the University of Essex’s Acting Vice-Chancellor and world-renowned computer scientist Professor Maria Fasli who completed her undergraduate studies in Greece before progressing onto a PhD at Essex. She now leads educational and research projects around the world and holds the prestigious role of UNESCO Chair in Analytics and Data Science.

Essex has been collaborating with Omiros Education Group since 2021, jointly delivering a diverse and highly regarded portfolio of undergraduate and postgraduate courses through the long-established Aegean Omiros College.

Professor Fasli said: “I am delighted to take forward these plans with Omiros Education Group and incredibly excited about the positive impact we can have in Greece by supporting the expansion of high-quality learning opportunities.

“I am immensely proud to be submitting this application with Omiros Education Group, which shares our commitment to delivering an excellent educational experience informed by the latest research. Essex and Omiros share a commitment to empowering students from diverse backgrounds by providing transformative courses that equip them with the skills to pursue their aspirations and create a meaningful impact in their communities.”

The University of Essex is one of the most international universities in the world and is 17th for international outlook in the Times Higher Education World University Rankings 2025.

Essex is also 58th in the world in the global Times Higher Education Impact Rankings due to its work to support the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals through its research and education.

Professor Fasli said: “This new phase of our partnership builds on our strong foundation of providing outstanding learning opportunities for Greek students. Through our AOU collaboration, we aspire to lead in higher education in Greece and open opportunities to more students to study with Essex.

“Our partnership builds on our deep and longstanding ties with Greece, including a thriving Greek alumni community and a legacy of educating influential figures across a range of fields. Their enthusiasm for our growing presence in Greece reflects the strength of this connection.

“We understand how important it is for Greece to strengthen its higher education sector by developing partnerships with leading international universities like Essex. With a strong global portfolio of successful partnerships, Essex has a proven track record of delivering meaningful outcomes for our partners and aligning with the strategic priorities of the countries in which we operate.”

This latest agreement will further extend the University of Essex’s extensive network of academic partnerships across the world which includes China, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Singapore and France. Essex partnerships cover validation, franchise, joint awards and double degree arrangements.