Institut's website : www.maich.gr
Director
Alkinoos NIKOLAIDIS
E-mail him
The Mediterranean Agronomic Institute of Chania has been pursuing an active policy of cooperation for many years. Education and training in collaboration with institutions in CIHEAM member countries, networked research, E-learning and joint publication of scientific work are the trademark activities of MAI Chania. |
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Multidisciplinary orientation and scientific excellence
The MAI of Chania is specialized in the main following fields:
▪ Strategic development and operational management of businesses and agrofood chains.
▪ Protection and conservation of Mediterranean environments using cutting-edge terrestrial and satellite technologies.
▪ Identification, improvement and presentation of product quality based on DNA.
▪ Plant biotechnology applications and GMO detection methods.
▪ Seed conservation methodologies and sustainable agricultural production.
▪ Identification and certification of food quality; extraction and characterisation of natural products.
Every Master of Science course requires students to study at least two disciplines to a very high level. Every year the course content is revised to take account of the latest scientific advances and this work involves close collaboration between visiting lecturers, the Coordinator of Studies and the Director of the Institute. Classes are given in English by internationally renowned lecturers/researchers from all over the world.
Master of Science, developing an international profile
MAI Chania’s Master of Science graduates make an important contribution to scientific life. The academic level maintained by MAI Chania over a long period is shown by the following indicators of excellence:
▪ 43% of graduates have presented their thesis work to international seminars or colloquia;
▪ 39% of research theses have been published in authoritative journals.
The quality of the work has been widely recognised:
▪ 28% of M.Sc. graduates have been accepted on doctoral programmes at some of the most reputed universities in Europe, the USA, Canada and Australia;
▪ 30 former MAI Chania students who have gained Masters degrees or doctorates teach in their own countries or abroad.
An active research
MAI Chania has been involved in numerous networked research projects. Some of them have been assigned to it under the European Commission’s tendering procedure for the 6th and 7th FPRTDs, others have been developed bilaterally with partner institutions in Greece.
Improving research and conference facilities
MAI Chania’s research capability has been greatly enhanced. The Cretan authorities granted the Institute a subsidy of 580,000 euros to build a new 280 m2 laboratory for research into food quality, which will greatly enhance its capability in this area.
The MAI has also equipped its chemical analysis laboratory with new gas and liquid chromatography equipment at a cost of 278,850 euros. The two devices comply with ISO standard 17025, which will ensure accreditation of the laboratory.
As part of this innovative trend, MAI Chania has improved its very high speed Internet connection (50 Mbit/s), using the Greek Research and Technology Network (GRNET) to provide wired and wireless connections throughout the Institute’s premises.
Lastly the conference centre is certified ISO 9002, making it ideal for high-level scientific conferences. It can provide seating accommodation for 600 people and host 11 simultaneous workshops. It is also equipped with the most up-to-date audiovisual equipment and simultaneous interpretation facilities.
The botanical garden and seed bank, a wide-ranging programme
MAI Chania is well known for its botanical garden for conservation of Mediterranean plants. www.maich.gr/p/garden The garden has now been completed and covers 3 ha. It contains five sections:
▪ Fruit trees,
▪ Traditional vine varieties,
▪ Medicinal and aromatic plants,
▪ Mediterranean plants,
▪ Endemic and threatened plants of Crete.
The main aims of MAI Chania’s botanical garden are:
▪ To study and conserve Mediterranean flora;
▪ To increase public awareness of the importance of biodiversity.