As part of the “Business Strategy” course taught by Christy Agapitou, MBA students had the opportunity to apply modern strategic analysis tools through demanding case studies focused on leading companies in the food and agribusiness sector.

Student teams worked on real business challenges involving MEVGAL S.A., Syngenta, and BASF Hellas, focusing on competitive strategy, SWOT analysis, product portfolio evaluation, and strategic recommendations for future growth.

Through their presentations, students took on the role of strategic consultants, analyzing dynamic market conditions, assessing opportunities and challenges, and proposing well-documented solutions with a strong business and development perspective.

The experience was further enriched by the participation of industry professionals who actively engaged in discussions with the students and connected academic theory with real-world business practice. Among them were Erasmia Papadopoulou from MEVGAL, Kostas Ikonomidis and Ilias Vitoratos in the Syngenta case study, as well as Maria Aivazoglou and Theodora Maniati from BASF Hellas.

These educational experiences reflect the core philosophy of the MBA program: connecting academic knowledge with the evolving needs of the market, while strengthening strategic thinking, extroversion, and practical skills that are essential for students’ professional development.

The educational visit of the MBA students to the state-of-the-art facilities of Loulis Food Ingredients in Keratsini was successfully carried out.

The students had the opportunity to watch the corporate presentation by Ms. Lida Malikentzou, ESG & Communication Manager focusing on the current challenges of the industry and ESG strategy, followed by a particularly interesting discussion with questions.

The visit ended with a unique tour of the Loulis Museum by the museologist Ms. Lina Griaggelou, where we discovered the historical path of the flour industry and the importance of cultural heritage in the modern business world.

We warmly thank the team of Loulis Mills for the hospitality and valuable knowledge!

The MBA students made a special educational visit to Agroktimata Kithairona, where tradition meets modern entrepreneurship.

During the visit, the participants saw the production facilities, were informed about the quality and food safety procedures and discussed the challenges and prospects of the agri-food industry in Greece.

Through a lively dialogue with the people of the business, our students examined how extroversion and commitment to quality can be competitive advantages in the market. It is such experiential experiences that give real depth to our studies, bridging the gap between amphitheaters and the real economy.

We warmly thank Kithaironas Farms for the hospitality and the opportunity to get to know such a successful production model!

Our MBA students made an extremely interesting and meaningful educational visit to the premises of the dairy company Pagonis, gaining valuable knowledge about the operation, development and modern challenges of the Greek dairy industry.

We warmly thank the owner, Ms. Natassa Pagoni for the welcome and the tour of the production areas, where all stages of the production process were presented, highlighting the importance of quality, innovation and attention to detail at every stage of the company’s operation.

We also thank Mr. Panos Panagopoulos, Sales & Marketing Manager for the interesting presentation and discussion with our students about entrepreneurship, the challenges of the modern market and the importance of strategic thinking, adaptability and innovation in the creation and development of a dynamic Greek brand.

Such experiences strengthen the connection of academic knowledge with real business practice and offer our students valuable supplies for their professional career.

The students of the MBA Food & Agribusiness had a particularly rich educational experience during their visit to Athineo, at the premises of the Athenian Brewery.

Akrivi Loukopoulou, HR Director and Olga Patsaoura, Talent Acquisition & Employer Branding Lead, warmly welcomed us and introduced us to the philosophy, culture and way of operating the company, highlighting the role of people in the development of the organization.

Lina Leoutsakou, Corporate Affairs Sustainability Manager and Vassilis Kotoulas, Head of Local Barley Operations, spoke to us about the company’s sustainability actions and ESG strategy, with an emphasis on connecting production with Greek agriculture, contract farming and innovative initiatives such as “Smart Sowing”.

The Nikolaos Fostiras, Area Sales Manager, gave us a realistic picture of everyday life in the field of sales and how products reach the consumer, while the Vasiliki Kyriakopoulou, Innovation Specialist, highlighted the importance of innovation and the process by which new ideas evolve into applied solutions.

Warm thanks to everyone for the time, knowledge and inspiration they shared with us. Such experiences substantially enhance the interconnection of academic knowledge with the labor market and are an integral part of our educational philosophy.

As part of our postgraduate program, we had the distinct honor of hosting Mr. Christos Giannakakis, Vice President of Venus Growers and ETHEAS, and President of COGREXPO S.A., one of the most experienced representatives of the Greek agri-food sector.

With many years of experience in the field of cooperatives and profound knowledge of both domestic and European agricultural policy, Mr. Giannakakis shared valuable insights with our students from his participation in decision-making centers in Greece and the European Union.

During his presentation entitled “Lobbying and Agri-Food”, he highlighted the role of lobbying as a tool for strategic communication and representation of the interests of the agricultural sector. Among the topics discussed during the session were:

• the role of negotiation in transforming producers’ demands into implementable policies,
• the importance of an active presence in Brussels for shaping European agricultural policy,
• the value of cooperation and strong cooperative structures,
• as well as crisis management strategies and resource advocacy for the agri-food sector.

Connecting our students with experienced market professionals is a key priority of our program, strengthening the link between academic knowledge and the real economy.

We warmly thank Mr. Giannakakis for his presence and for the valuable knowledge and experiences he shared with our academic community.

On March 11, 2026, the MBA Food & Agribusiness program had the pleasure of hosting Georgia Kalemidou from KPMG Greece as part of the MBA Seminar Series.

During her presentation, titled “People Are a Company’s Strategic Advantage: An Introduction to Human Resource Management”, participants explored the evolving role of Human Resources in shaping competitive, resilient, and sustainable organizations, particularly within the dynamic food and agribusiness sector.

Through a highly interactive and practice-oriented approach, the seminar combined real-world examples, market insights, and active student participation, creating an engaging learning experience that encouraged meaningful discussion and exchange of ideas.

The session highlighted the importance of people-centered leadership and strategic talent management in today’s business environment, reinforcing the MBA program’s commitment to connecting academic learning with contemporary industry practices.

We warmly thank Georgia Kalemidou for sharing her expertise, energy, and valuable insights with our students, contributing to an inspiring and memorable seminar experience.

As part of the MBA Program’s seminar lecture series, we had the pleasure of hosting Mr. A. Kouris, Founder of NISSOS Brewery, in a particularly engaging seminar entitled:

“Tools for Value Creators: Selected Practices and Approaches in Management and Entrepreneurship”

Through real-life examples, students had the opportunity to gain insight into contemporary management practices and entrepreneurial thinking, presented by a business professional with a strong footprint in the market.

We warmly thank Mr. Kouris for the inspiration and knowledge he shared with us.

On 15 December, an engaging and highly interactive seminar was held on the topic:

“Agribusiness: Role and Position within the Value Chain”

The proposal of MOLON LAVE S.A. was presented by Ioannis Manikis, Chief Executive Officer of the company, who analyzed the strategic role of agribusiness from primary production to the final product.

Through meaningful exchange of views and active participation, the seminar highlighted contemporary challenges and opportunities within the sector.

Watch the event video here: https://youtu.be/Pj3s1PS5uNI

As part of the educational process of the MBA in Food & Agribusiness (Interdepartmental Postgraduate Program in “Business Organization and Management of Food and Agricultural Enterprises”) at the Agricultural University of Athens, a public presentation of business plans by four teams of postgraduate students took place on June 5, 2025.

The event, held at the university’s Multi-Purpose Hall, attracted the attention of academics, professionals, investors, and students. Attendees had the opportunity to explore innovative business proposals, combining technological and scientific evidence with modern entrepreneurial thinking and application in the Greek market.

Drawing on their academic backgrounds and the knowledge gained through the MBA program, the students developed comprehensive business plans focusing on innovation, sustainability, and practical implementation.

An Evaluation Committee of nine distinguished academics and business executives assessed the presentations, offering valuable feedback and encouragement for further development of the ideas presented.
The business plans showcased:

Foodwise
A smart inventory control tool designed for the foodservice industry. Through the Foodwise application, entrepreneurs and F&B managers gain full insight and control over their business operations and costs.

KIWEAT
An innovative marinade made from natural kiwi pulp powder – a by-product of juice production. Blended with selected spices, it offers flavorful, nutritious solutions for professional kitchens while promoting circular economy practices.

Sou Sou
The first premium Greek peach distillate, inspired by Greek gastronomy and contemporary aesthetics. Sou Sou delivers a unique drinking experience that combines tradition, quality, and modern elegance.

Tap & Go
A digital retail innovation that redefines the supermarket shopping experience. Tap & Go enables customers to scan products using a mobile app, pay instantly, and leave the store without waiting in line.

The event highlighted the creativity and entrepreneurial mindset of MBA students and reaffirmed the program’s role as a hub of innovation in the Greek agrifood sector.