Institutes

Institute’s objectives

• The meeting of the scientific requirements of the University of Western Macedonia concerning the practical training of the students and the development of a research project on behalf of its scientific staff and collaborating scientists from the Greek and international area.
• The sustainable use and highlighting of the area’s natural advantages, with a focus on the night and day sky, in combination with other elements of the high-quality natural environment, so that the EAPO becomes over time a shining example of soft development intervention and sustainable management in a sensitive natural environment.
• The contribution to the Greek students’ education in the subjects of Astronomy, Astrophysical Cosmology, and technology through the organization of similar distance learning programs.
• The attraction of a variety of groups such as school students, university students, teachers, astronomy researchers, amateur astronomers, etc.
• The support of the sustainability of the existing tourist infrastructure in the wider area, mainly accommodation and catering, through the attraction of visitors.
• The creation and leverage of new opportunities for sustainable development and employment.
• The development of networks and synergies with agencies, institutions, Civil Society organizations, etc. that are active in the protection and utilization of the natural and manmade environment and the natural sciences in the region but also to a larger extent, in Northern and Western Greece and the neighboring countries.
• Contribution in every way to the development of the region’s importance and its emergence both inside the country and broader.
• Τhe University of Western Macedonia’s medium- and long-term reputation growth, as well as its establishment as a center in the field of Astronomy and a hub for Space Communications.
• The training and popularization of astronomy topics, with the main concern being the diffusion of astronomical knowledge to the general public. This goal is achieved by organizing seminars, lectures and night observations with the EAPO telescope.