Vision, Values & Principles

We believe in a better world. A world that is more equal, sustainable and open, a world in which all can thrive.

We are at the heart of the most multicultural and multi linguistic region in Greece, at the crossroads of Europe and Asia, between Thessaloniki, Sofia and Istanbul. We connect Europe, the Mediterranean, the Balkans and Anatolia.

We connect knowledge and people. Our university is distributed across the region, with campuses in seven different cities. This unique model is designed to better serve the people of Eastern Macedonia and Thrace. It ensures our regional impact and connects our territory to the world. Our research is aligned with regional needs, with a focus on applied fields from sport science, to engineering and agricultural science. We are proud of our excellence, illustrated by our success in  competitive projects both at the national and the European level, but even more so of our impact on society, the alignment of our research with both the UNs Sustainable Development Goals and our regional priorities.

We connect our students to their future careers. Our educational programmes are designed to ensure that our students acquire the necessary skills and competences to thrive in a changing world. We constantly update them to ensure they respond to societal needs.

We are part of EMERGE, a European University empowering the margins of Europe through regional and global engagement, with campuses in nine different countries. Through our namesake, Democritus, we connect the past to the future, the atoms, which he was the first to conceive, with a global world.

Our commitment to the future

To achieve this vision, DUTH is embarking on a transformation, expressed by placing societal and regional engagement at the heart of our identity. This engagement will drive our approach in research and education and define the way we operate as a university, both at the local and the global scale.

This vision implies a deliberate shift in how the University defines and communicates its identity. Building on its regional presence, the University is evolving into a dynamic regional hub — deeply rooted in its territory, yet actively engaged with national, international, and European networks. As stated in our slogan : We are at the crossroads of Europe and Asia – connecting worlds. This position offers a distinct vantage point for contributing to the European Higher Education and Research Area not as a peripheral actor, but as a relevant and active center of knowledge, co-creation, collaboration, and innovation. Through this transformation, the University strengthens its role in shaping regional development while amplifying its impact across borders. This shift has strong implications:

  1. A decentralized vision for Higher Education DUTH takes a proactive stance against centralized decision-making in Greece and across Europe. We champion a distributed model of higher education—one that fosters adaptability, and innovation.
  2. Our University is proud to be a hub for open exchange, welcoming external collaboration and fostering the free flow of knowledge. Together we promote new approaches to excellence focused on the needs of our society and our region.
  3. A renewed perspective for our students This transformation provides students with a clearer sense of purpose, reinforcing their choice to study at DUTH and equipping them with the skills and mindset needed to thrive in a rapidly evolving world.

Our Students will graduate not only job-ready but also with strong critical thinking, problem-solving, and creative skills to address regional, national, and global challenges. They will be guided by ethics, social responsibility, and a deep commitment to human rights, justice, freedom, and solidarity.

  1. A source of inspiration for our faculty and staffOur faculty and administrative teams are reinvigorated by this new direction, recognizing the tangible impact of their work on the university, the region, and beyond.

Our Researchers aim to generate impactful, basic and  applied research that addresses societal needs, with a particular focus on issues relevant to our region. Our Faculty and Staff engage actively in socially responsible activities, strengthening connections with local communities and connecting them to the world.

It requires us to update the way we operate, by empowering each campus to produce public value and better serve the people residing in Eastern Macedonia and Thrace, by scaling successful initiatives and integrating innovative practices, by leading change with academic excellence and a spirit of innovation. Knowledge creation and mobilization in DUTH reinforces its role as a dynamic, self-reflective, and forward-thinking institution, one that continuously seeks improvement. Additionally, we will amplify our visibility through enhanced communication strategies, showcasing impactful initiatives and refining our structures to maximize reach and societal impact.

At DUTH, we are fully aligned with the classical university values, such as Academic Freedom, enshrined in Greek law and upheld by the European University Association. We are deeply committed to fostering a university environment where strong values are infused into all of our practices and instilled in our students, faculty members, and administrative staff. While we stand by the values defined in our quality policy, we emphasize three fundamental values and two key principles that guide our institution. These values are crucial to ensure that we fulfill our mission as a regionally anchored university.

Values

Justice & Equity: We uphold the principles of fairness and equity in all our academic and administrative activities. DUTH is committed to fostering a just environment where every individual, regardless of background, has equal opportunities to learn, grow, and contribute to society. Justice and equity guide how we design policies, allocate resources, and support underrepresented groups, aiming to build a university environment that actively combats discrimination and promotes human dignity.

Solidarity & Inclusion: We cultivate a culture of mutual support and shared responsibility. Solidarity, for us, means standing with communities and working collaboratively to overcome challenges. Inclusion goes beyond representation: we strive to ensure that all voices are heard, all contributions are valued, and diverse identities are fully integrated into campus life. Drawing on the rich social and cultural diversity of our region, we aim to model a university community where difference is embraced and participation is meaningful for all.

Social Responsibility: We recognize our academic mission as inherently tied to societal progress. Through participatory research, responsive education, and inclusive governance, we advance social justice, solidarity, and civic engagement. Our work is oriented toward upholding dignity, democratic values, and fostering a more equitable world. This responsibility extends beyond the university, reinforcing our commitment to act as a driver of positive change in our region and beyond.

Principles

Transparency: We are committed to openness in how we work and communicate. Key data and results are made accessible to all university staff. Beyond our internal practices, our assessments of public engagements, including evaluations of this strategic plan, will be transparently available on our website. As the university strengthens its connections with regional, national, and global actors, these transparent practices will play an increasingly relevant role in building credibility and accountability to our stakeholders.

Accountability: We operate with integrity, responsibility, and clarity in all our processes. Our governance model is participatory, responsive, and designed to create public value. We encourage evidence-based decision-making, collective learning, and continuous institutional self-reflection to ensure ongoing improvement and adaptability.