Charles Darwin University (CDU) yesterday hosted the Mayor of Kalymnos and the Bishop of the Greek Orthodox Church as a part of celebrations for the 25th anniversary of the sister relationship between the Greek island and Darwin.
Mayor of Kalymnos, Georgios Roussos, and his delegation visited CDU’s Casuarina Campus to meet with University staff, reaffirming the close collaboration and partnership already in place.
Mayor Roussos was updated on a joint CDU – Flinders University initiative in which students studying Modern Greek language and culture will be taught in Darwin for the first time via video link lectures and a dedicated website.
A total of 24 students from CDU and Flinders will also venture to Kalymnos, Greece, in July as part of a three-week intensive language experience.
The tour will be sponsored by the Hellenic Ministry of Foreign Affairs and CDU’s Committee for the Friends of the Greek Language Program.
CDU Dean of Law, Business and Arts, Adrian Walter, who met with the Mayor is also set to visit Kalymnos as a part of the continued partnership between the University and the Greek island.
‘The majority of Territorians of Greek ancestry are descended from Kalymnian migrants so this visit means a great deal to the local Greek community, CDU, and Darwin as a whole.
‘It has been an absolute honour to have the Mayor and his delegation visit the University and impart the warmth and knowledge that will see this partnership flourish well into the future,’ Professor Walter said.
The visit represents an important moment in the maturing relationship between CDU and the Greek communities of Darwin and Kalymnos.
Mayor Roussos expressed his desire to see sister university status develop between CDU and the University of the Aegean and spoke about the possibility of CDU becoming a partner to an expanded Archipelago University Consortia involving the University of Crete.
The Mayor also expressed particular support for joint research possibilities between CDU and the University of the Aegean, examining issues around migration and the Greek Diaspora as well as other fields in the sciences and arts.
The Bishop of the Greek Orthodox Church of Kalymnos and Dean of Law, Business and Arts, Adrian Walter, concluded proceedings by exchanging gifts cementing the bonds of friendship and scholarship between CDU and the people of Kalymnos.