Mystery 7 Free University of Elefsina – IN SITU: Open Day

It is an important legacy project and an innovative educational programme based on the major thematic axes “Environment – Healthcare” and “Culture – Cultural Policy,” addressed mainly to residents of Elefsina and the surrounding areas, with on-the-ground teaching sessions taking place both indoors and outdoors in the city. Participation is free of charge.

The aim is to cultivate freedom of thought and provide high-quality science-based knowledge to all interested participants, regardless of their age, nationality or level of education, through a unique learning experience. Detailed information on the implementation of the programme will be provided during the OPEN DAY event on January 16, 2023, at the West Attica Labour Union Building (EKEDA).

Mystery 7 Free University of Elefsina – IN SITU will open in 2023, with two courses. The Coordinating Committee of the Free University includes members of the University of Patras, the University of Athens and the University of West Attica, the Regional Administration of West Attica, the Municipality of Elefsina and the West Attica Labour Union. The academic coordinator is Mr. Apostolos Vantarakis, Professor in the Public Health Laboratory at the Department of Medicine of the University of Patras.

Specialists and researchers from Higher Educational Institutions and Research Institutions, executives of institutional bodies and social awareness groups, as well as members of the cultural, economic and social life of the Thriasian plain participate in the educational modules.

The guidelines of the educational programme Mystery 7 Free University of Elefsina – IN SITU determine the selection criteria of the trainees. After some shared introductory courses, the two courses, “Culture – Cultural Policy” and “Environment – Healthcare” will be conducted independently as separate educational modules, and will meet in joint educational activities. Courses will be conducted in two quarterly modules, during Spring and Fall. Each course will consist of weekly 4-hour lessons during the six months of training and will be supported by an online interactive platform.

According to the structure of the programme, many educational meetings will take place in the countryside, in the reference sites of the learning modules, offering participants a unique learning experience. The IN SITU training process requires interactivity between the Place, the educators/coordinators and the trainees. Participants will be able to share their experience, knowledge, skills and love for their place with the whole educational community, multiplying the educational impact. The programme will include original research projects, which will be carried out in collaboration between trainers and trainees. The results of the research will be delivered to the city, its inhabitants and the municipal authorities as an important cultural legacy, which will produce important proposals for the improvement of the built and natural environment of the city and the wider area.

Lastly, within the framework of the programme, the “Open Educational Councils” will take place, an innovative educational process that will give trainers and trainees the opportunity to present, discuss and defend their proposals with the residents, economic actors and authorities of the city of Elefsina and the wider region.

Upon completion of the course and after evaluation, participants will receive a certificate of attendance.

PROGRAMME
Regards
Panagiotis Dimopoulos, Vice Chancellor of the University of Patras
Michail Marmarinos, Artistic Director, 2023 Eleusis European Capital of Culture

“On the occasion of the cults of Eleusis: religions as a vehicle of conversation with earthly reality and the hereafter”
Maria Efthymiou, Historian, Professor Emeritus, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens

“Julia & Alexander N. Diomedes Botanic Garden”: how nature can be highlighted and protected”
Nikos Christodoulakis, Professor, Department of Biology, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens , Secretary General of the Management Committee of the Julia & Alexander N. Diomedes Botanic Garden

“The natural capital and the protected areas of Greece: coexistence of management and development dimension”
Panagiotis Dimopoulos, Professor, Department of Biology, Vice Chancellor of the University of Patras

“Mystery 7 Free University of Elefsina – IN SITU”

• Brief description of the 2 main thematic sections
• Detailed Presentation of the Educational Program
• Teachers report
• Target Audience;
• Certification (what kind, who can use it? Possibility to attend and get certified in both subjects, will need some exam for certification or just by attendance)
• Presentation of educational platform and how to use it

Athina Mavridou, Professor of Environmental Microbiology, University of West Attica
Sofia Rhizopoulou, Professor Emeritus of Plant Ecophysiology, Department of Biology, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens
Apostolos Vantarakis, Professor of Public Health, University of Patras School of Medicine