AHI Foundation Chair of Fellows Appointed President of Independent Hellenic Educational Agency

WASHINGTON, DC —The American Hellenic Institute (AHI) and American Hellenic Institute Foundation (AHIF) congratulate Dr. Van Coufoudakis, chairman, AHI Foundation Board of Fellows, on his appointment as President of the Council of the Hellenic Quality Assessment Agency.

“We congratulate Dr. Coufoudakis on this very important appointment, which reflects his excellent and respected work in academia,” said AHI President Nick Larigakis. “We believe it demonstrates the caliber of excellence that we have been fortunate to have as part of our AHI and AHI Foundation teams.  We are confident he will be an asset to the agency and its mission.”

The HQAA/ADIP is an independent agency created in 2005 under Greek law and EU regulations. The agency's mission is the quality assessment of Greek universities and TEI (technical institutes). The agency also submits recommendations to the minister of Education on the restructuring of the Greek higher education system.

When asked about his latest appointment, Dr. Coufoudakis placed emphasis on his agency's mission, which is aimed to improve Greek higher education to the benefit students, faculty and Greek society at large.

“This important assignment may be my final contribution to the land of my origin, he said. “This is why I accepted the offer of Minister Arvanitopoulos to take on this important challenge.”

The Continuing Committee on Cultural Affairs of the Greek Parliament confirmed Dr. Coufoudakis’ appointment at a hearing held September 20 1012.

Dr. Coufoudakis has been an active AHI member since 1974. He has written extensively on Greece-U.S. relations, U.S. policy in the eastern Mediterranean and southeastern Europe, and the Cyprus problem.  He served in the Indiana University system in various academic and administrative capacities. His last position was that of rector of the University of Nicosia in Nicosia, Cyprus.

Added Larigakis, “We wish Dr. Coufoudakis the best as he tackles the challenges of his new endeavor.  We stand ready to assist him, if needed, as he pursues his goals and objectives.”

The American Hellenic Institute is an independent non-profit Greek American public policy center that works to strengthen relations between the United States and Greece and Cyprus, and within the Greek American community.

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For additional information, please contact Georgea Polizos at (202) 785-8430 or at pr@ahiworld.org. For general information about the activities of AHI, please see our website at https://www.ahiworld.org.