Mission and culture of the Department:
The Mission of the Department is the promotion of knowledge and the training of scientists specialized in research and solving problems related to the economic, operational, technological, social, political and environmental dimensions of rural development. The culture of the Department includes the active participation of students in academic and research activities, so that they acquire a solid scientific basis and substantial research as well as practical experience in the aforementioned individual areas of Agricultural Economy and Development. On an annual basis, the Department welcomes approximately 70 undergraduate and 50 postgraduate students, who follow modern study programs.

Quality of the Undergraduate Study Program:
Combining the experience of its members and taking into account international trends, the Department’s Undergraduate Studies Program certified (November 2022) by the Hellenic Authority for Higher Education (HAHE) has been prepared, evaluated and updated in such a way as to ensure the consolidation of background knowledge on the one hand on the functioning of the economy (with an emphasis on the rural economy) and on the other hand, deepening in areas of particular interest such as business administration, IT and data analysis, agricultural consultancy and rural education and training, regional economic development, environmental economics , the agricultural and environmental policy, etc. in relation to modern scientific developments, trends and needs of the labor market.

Alumni Provisions:
Upon completion of their studies from the Department of Agricultural Economy & Development, graduates have knowledge and understanding of issues in related fields of knowledge which is supported by valid scientific textbooks and includes opinions as derived from modern developments in the field. Graduates are able to use the knowledge and understanding they have acquired in a way that shows a professional approach to their work and possess problem-solving skills within the knowledge fields of Agricultural Economy and Development. Also, they have the ability to gather and interpret data to form judgments that include reflection on relevant social, scientific or ethical issues but also to participate in the formulation of proposals and solutions to both businesses and local communities. Finally, graduates are able to communicate information, ideas and problems to both specialist and non-specialist audiences and have developed the knowledge acquisition skills they need to continue in further studies with a high degree of autonomy

Research and Awards:
The research potential of the department has important published work in recognized scientific journals and international conferences and has developed important collaborations with related departments and research institutes at home and abroad. The department is ranked by research distances in the 25% of the best departments in the international knowledge field (55th place worldwide in November 2022 – Economics rankings: Agricultural Economics Departments | IDEAS/RePEc) while it holds a high position in the ranking of economic departments in Greece position in November of 2022 – Economic rankings: Economics Departments | IDEAS/RePEc).

The educational and research activities of the Department aim to contribute to the development of the rural area and the agro-food sector in general in Greece. In the context of the Department’s research, issues related to the economics of products and the environment, macroeconomic indicators, the productivity of the agricultural sector as a whole but also in specific sectors, digital transformation and digital technologies are studied, among others. consumer behavior, administration, agricultural policy, rural development, etc. The research programs are financed by private and public bodies (e.g. General Secretariat for Research and Innovation) and the European Union.

Connection to the economy and production:
As far as the productive sector is concerned, the lecturers of the Department, with their scientific knowledge and experience, often serve as consultants or researchers in development programs of public and private sector entities, to deal with and solve problems of the wider agro-food sector. Also important is the participation and contribution of the Faculty members of the Department as speakers or coordinators in educational and training programs implemented by public and private sector bodies, in the context of the continuous training of farmers, public and private companies in the primary sector, as well as young scientists.

As part of the educational process, educational excursions are regularly organized that bring students into contact with the problems of primary production. These problems are stimuli for the formation of the educational and research programs of the Department of Agricultural Economy & Development. In many cases these contacts become an occasion for examining specific problems, in direct contact and synergy with the Heads of Agricultural Cooperatives, Producer Groups and Food Industries.

Brief History:
The Department of Agricultural Economy & Development (AOA) of the Agricultural University of Athens (GAA) was founded in 1989 as the Department of Agricultural Economy and was later renamed the Department of Agricultural Economy and Development (Government Gazette 304/31-12-99 tΑ’). With Presidential Decree 80/27/05/2013, and the abolition of the General Department, the Informatics Laboratory was joined as a separate Laboratory to the six existing Laboratories of the Department. The Department now belongs to the School of Applied Economics and Social Sciences established by Law 4589/2019.

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