Erasmus Mundus Action 2 project
TOSCA- Transfer of skills, knowledge and ideas to Central Asia
This was my first visit to Europe and the first question I was asked upon arrival here in
Greece was “that is your first impression?” My answer was: - People are very friendly, amazing and historical holy churches, unique museums and inimitable in its beauty city of Thessaloniki, the short streets and high architectural houses likes to ship in the sea, and of course calm sea and sun is shining 300 days in a year!
An increasing number of students and teachers from Central Asia have won scholarships to study and participate in ERASMUS MUNDUS programs in European universities. I recently participated at the Alexander Technological Educational Institute (A.T.E.I.), where I was a participant at the Erasmus Mundus Action 2 project TOSCA- Transfer of Skills, Knowledge and ideas to Central Asia. My study curriculum at T.E.I. I planned and conducted in collaboration with professors in the Agricultural development & Agribusiness Management department at that institution.
We were able to observe European teaching and research methods at A.T.E.I. and participated in field trips to agricultural enterprises, financial institutions and other businesses. I was also able to collect background materials and other information necessary for my research development and University.
Our host University is located 15 km away from the city center, very close to the village of Sindos. The Institution was established in 1983 under Parliamentary Act 1404/83. It is an independent, self-governed legal organization, supervised by the Greek Ministry of Education; it has 1.645 permanent and part-time staff members and approximately 30.000 students. It offers

undergraduate and master studies, as well as research programs concerning issues of applied technology. It consists of six Schools, 3 Branches (in the towns of Kilkis, N. Moudania and
Katerini) and twenty four different Departments.
The A.T.E.I. is one of the oldest Technological Educational Institutions of Greece and has managed to promote its name and reputation as an Institution of high quality in the Greek market, particularly in the market of Northern Greece. A.T.E.I. and University’s professors will assign and tutor research work of every field of study (e.g. Health and Medical Care,
Agriculture, Informatics, Electronics, Sociology, Engineering, etc.) to all the incoming PhD students.
The A.T.E. University Library is an Academic library. This library is affiliated with
Technological Educational Institute of Thessaloniki; the other one is the Aristotle University
Library. These Libraries have Online Computer Library Centre, network services, international network facilities that enables the lending and borrowing of e-books from libraries all over the world. It can also request PhD dissertations in microfilm, photocopies of papers in periodicals and any other material. Through Hellienic Academic Library HEAL-Link Portal the members of the consortium have full-text access to electronic journals and books and to bibliographic databases. All students have a good opportunity for their study.
Let’s once again recall how we participated in Educational visit to International Hellenic
University of Thessaloniki. It was very useful and at the time of presentation there were many questions asked about education, teaching staff, library resources, etc. At the end there was warm attitude towards the university and education system of EU.
Also, we had participated at seminar trainings and the 2 nd Conference in Hotel &
Hospitality Management at CITY College, International Faculty of the University of Sheffield.
We had a lot of experience on business, management behavior, service sector of economy, etc.
Business Administration & Economics Department- City
College Business Seminar Series
The Need for a New Leadership Paradigm: Towards
Polyarchical Leadership Dr. Alexandros Psychogios
2 nd Conference in Hotel & Hospitality Management at CITY College, International Faculty of the
University of Sheffield, Thessaloniki, Greece.

I also participated in the international conferences in Greece and in Romania and got my papers published, under the supervision of Prof. Stamatis Aggelopoulos and Dr. Athanasios
Theocharopoulos. Those conference times were one of the best memories I had and during those times we were able to meet different people from different. It was interesting to get to know the academic and scientific work and publications. The main thing was that after each presentation audition asked questions and was involved in discussions, which may influence and enhance the development of scientific research.
ERASMUS MUNDUS students 2011-2012. After presented papers at Erasmus Mundus Research Track on THE 2 nd INTERNATIONAL SCIENTIFIC CONFERENCE
«2 nd Advances in Hospitality and Tourism Marketing & Management» Corfu Island, Greece.
During «Greek Culture» seminar classes we could explore museums, Ancient Greek sites and Ancient Greek ruins of Greece. Such as Archaeological Museum, Museum in the Crypt of the Church of St. Demetrio’s, Museum of Ancient, Byzantine, and Post byzantine Musical
Instruments, Museum of Byzantine Culture, Museum of the History and Art (White Tower), Art
Gallery of the Society for Macedonian Studies,
Museum of Byzantine Culture, Thessaloniki Pella the Museum, Mosaics.

Each TOSCA student was selected properly and despite the difference in host and home universities, they were able to adapt to the requirements of the EU universities. In our free times we keep healthy lifestyle going to the GYM, ride bikes, went to picnic, skiing, swam in the
Mediterranean Sea, etc.
Now it is becoming a history, but our knowledge, skills gained here will remain with us and will be transferred to our community, also the main thing is cross-cultural communication and a lot of friends we gained while in Greece.