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Study in Greece talked with Evangelia N. Georgitsoyanni, Deputy Director of the International Master Program (MSc) “Sustainable Tourism Development: Cultural Heritage, Environment, Society”, about the International Master’s Degree in Sustainable Tourism Development: Heritage, Environment, Society, and the internationalization of Greek higher education.
Evangelia N. Georgitsoyanni is a Professor in History of Art and Civilization at the Harokopio University of Athens, Department of Economics and Sustainable Development. She holds a Bachelor in History and Archaeology degree from the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, and a Master’s degree (D.E.A.) and PhD from the University of Paris I (Panthéon – Sorbonne). She has served as Vice-Rector of Academic Affairs and Personnel and as Dean of the School of Environment, Geography and Applied Economics at Harokopio University, as well as Vice-President of the General State Archives of Greece. She was a member of the Scientific Committee of the Hellenic Parliament for the Exhibition and Catalogue “Greeks in Diaspora. 15th-21st century” (2006). She hosted and organized, on behalf of Harokopio University, the Annual General Meeting and Conference of the Association of Significant Cemeteries of Europe, Athens 2017. She also co-organized the international conference “Port cities and Maritime Routes in the Eastern Mediterranean and the Black Sea (18th-21st century)”, Harokopio University & University of Macedonia, Athens 2018. She has conducted extended research regarding the Greek Diaspora, focusing on Greek funerary monuments at cemeteries in Southeastern Europe.
Please tell us in a few words what the International Master’s degree «Sustainable Tourism Development: Heritage, Environment, Society» is all about
The International Master’s degree “Sustainable Tourism Development: Heritage, Environment, Society” is implemented through the cooperation of three Universities: the Harokopio University of Athens (Department of Economics and Sustainable Development, Department of Geography, Department of Informatics and Telematics), the University of the Aegean (Department of Business Administration) and the University of Paris I – Pantheon Sorbonne (IREST – Institut de Recherche et d’ Études Supérieures du Tourisme). The Program focuses on Sustainable Tourism both as a policy and developmental issue and as a product for tourism and cultural enterprises. In that respect, Heritage, Environment and Society are approached as crucial pillars of Sustainability in Tourism Destinations. In particular, the aim of the Program is to provide high-level specialization for professions related to Tourism Discipline and the Promotion of Heritage. The specific objectives of the Program include the research and acquisition of knowledge on tourism management and sustainable tourism development in conjunction with heritage, environment and society, and the development of analytical and critical thinking skills.
Could you tell us about the collaboration with the University of Paris I – Pantheon Sorbonne (IREST – Institut de Researche et d’ Études Supérieures du Tourisme)? Why did you choose this French University?
IREST (Institute de Recherche et d’ Etudes Supérieures du Tourisme) of the University of Paris I (Pantheon – Sorbonne) was chosen, along with the Greek University of the Aegean, because both institutions are characterized by the quality of education and research on tourism development fields. More specifically, IREST belongs to one of the oldest and most emblematic European Universities, the University of Paris I (Pantheon- Sorbonne), and it is a very dynamic institute with a strong and committed internationalization concern in tourism studies.
Read the whole interview in Greek News Agenda.