The University of Athens is carrying out a major upgrade programme of its student residences, aimed at improving living standards, strengthening safety measures, and enhancing students’ day-to-day experience.
Working in partnership with the Youth and Lifelong Learning Foundation, the university has completed extensive refurbishment across the residences, restoring previously unused areas, carrying out major maintenance and repairs, and undertaking deep cleaning. Several wings that had remained closed for years have now reopened, making student life more enjoyable. The upgraded residences now feature redesigned communal spaces, quiet reading areas, and a fully equipped gym. A new key fob entry system has also been installed, improving both security and convenience throughout the buildings.
Additional improvements to the common rooms were made possible through a donation from HELLENiQ ENERGY, which funded new furniture and seating for the more than 500 students living in the residences.
The official opening of the upgraded facilities took place on Tuesday, 21 April 2026, and was attended by Professor Gerasimos Siasos, Rector of the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens; Anna Rokofyllou, President of the Youth and Lifelong Learning Foundation; Andreas Shiamishis, Chief Executive Officer of HELLENiQ ENERGY, Athanasia Smirniotou, member of the university’s Administration Council; and Christos Karagiannis, Vice-Rector for Administrative Affairs, Student Welfare, and Lifelong Learning.
Speaking about this, the Rector of the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Professor Gerasimos Siasos, said:
‘Continuous investment in student welfare facilities is a top priority for the University of Athens. In this regard, the university’s senior leadership and the Youth and Lifelong Learning Foundation have already launched a comprehensive programme to upgrade the student residences. Around three months ago, with the support of Ms Anna Rokofyllou, President of the Foundation, previously occupied spaces in the student residences were cleared. The Foundation then proceeded with their renovation, returning them to use by the student community after many years.
Today, after extensive refurbishment by the Youth and Lifelong Learning Foundation and the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, the residences look completely different, with fully furnished spaces, reading rooms, and a fitness centre.
These initiatives form part of the University’s broader plan to restore, protect, and return campus spaces to the student community. In particular, the spaces in Block A of the University of Athens’ Student Halls of Residence have, following coordinated efforts by the leadership of the Youth and Lifelong Learning Foundation and the University, been brought back into use in line with their original purpose, supporting student welfare and accommodation needs. At the same time, and primarily to ensure student safety and protect the new facilities, a key fob entry system has been installed, improving both security and convenience throughout the buildings.
In connection with this, HELLENiQ ENERGY also made a significant contribution by donating seating furniture for several common areas. The University of Athens gratefully acknowledges HELLENiQ ENERGY and its Chief Executive Officer, Mr Andreas Shiamishis, for their support.
Through these coordinated actions, we are building a contemporary, practical, and people-centred environment for our students, improving their everyday lives and supporting their academic progress in genuine and meaningful ways. Our partnership with the Youth and Lifelong Learning Foundation and HELLENiQ ENERGY is a clear example of cooperation with strong social impact, benefiting the next generation and public education.
Anna Rokofyllou, President of the Youth and Lifelong Learning Foundation, said:
‘The Youth and Lifelong Learning Foundation is implementing a broad programme to upgrade the student residences it manages across Greece, using both public funding and support from private sponsors. Today, we are pleased to hand over 20 renovated common areas to students living in this hall of residence, upgraded with the support of HELLENiQ ENERGY. I would like to sincerely thank the company’s Board of Directors, and especially its Chief Executive Officer, Mr Shiamishis, for supporting our work to improve this residence for our students. This donation follows similar initiatives by HELLENiQ ENERGY to support the renovation of other student residences as well. Our shared goal is to make student residences across Greece more functional, more welcoming, more people-centred, and safer with each passing day. So that students from vulnerable families can focus on their academic progress without the stress of rising student accommodation costs.
Andreas Shiamishis, Chief Executive Officer of HELLENiQ ENERGY, said:
‘Investing in education and young people means investing in the country’s future. With this donation to the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, HELLENiQ ENERGY aims to help create a modern environment for students that supports and facilitates their academic journey. We remain committed to supporting the next generation and our students, through initiatives like this and through our long-standing scholarship programmes and awards for academic excellence’.
See photos of the spaces after refurbishment
See photos of the spaces before refurbishment
