Strategic Plan 2025-2028

DUTH at the Crossroads of Europe and Asia – Connecting Worlds

Democritus University of Thrace (DUTH), one of the most active regional universities in Greece and the only one in the Eastern Macedonia and Thrace Region (EMThR), celebrated 50 years of continuous operation and a dynamic presence in Greece’s academic, scientific, and social landscape in 2024. With its main administration based in Komotini, DUTH consists of 10 faculties and 28 departments spread across seven cities in the EMThR. Since its establishment, DUTH has followed a steady developmental path, continuously expanding its scientific breadth, promoting quality in education, research, and international outreach—while also strengthening its ties with the society and economy of the EMThR and actively contributing to its developmental trajectory.

For the First Time: The Development of DUTH’s Strategic Plan through a Comprehensive and Participatory Process

The formulation of the new Strategic Development Plan for DUTH (2025–2028) marks a significant milestone, as for the first time a comprehensive, well-documented, and participatory planning process was followed.

The process began with a meeting between the Rector, members of the Administration, the Strategic Planning Committee, and the General Director of the Hellenic Authority for Higher Education (HAHE) in January 2025. This was followed by an analysis of previous plans and the developmental strategies of the various units and structures to ensure continuity in institutional priorities and meet the specific needs of each department or unit. Additionally, an analysis of the institution’s data regarding education, research, and social presence was carried out. The process was further strengthened by extensive consultations with the institution’s governing bodies, such as the Strategic Planning Unit (SPU-DUTH), the Quality Assurance Unit (QAU-DUTH), and the University’s Committees. These meetings significantly contributed to the systematic documentation of challenges, needs, and proposals, creating a shared understanding of the Institution’s situation.

The analysis was accompanied by the examination of important external and internal reports, such as the annual recommendations of the HAHE for funding distribution, the data from the Integrated National Information System for Quality, DUTH’s financial statements, and the detailed reports of internal evaluations and quality assurance.

The process culminated in an intensive two-day workshop, attended by the Rector, the Board of Directors, Vice Rectors, Deans, Department Heads, and senior administrative staff. The results of the previous analyses were presented, and a full evaluation of the current situation was conducted, followed by the setting of priorities and development axes. Moreover, best practices from Greek and international higher education institutions were discussed, aiming at introducing innovative approaches and aligning DUTH with contemporary European and global operational standards. Collaboration with international experts and academic partners further enriched the quality of the planning process.

Finally, the phase of finalizing the strategic plan, followed by consultation and approval from the relevant institutional bodies, took place.

This process highlights the institutional maturity that DUTH has achieved and lays the foundation for comprehensive, sustainable, and dynamic development in the coming years.