The autonomous educational operation of the Department of Ichthyology and Aquatic Environment (DIAE) began in the academic year 2002-03. Initially the first students were introduced to the subject. At the same time, the students of the former curriculum of Animal Production which was operated since the establishment of the University of Thessaly as Department of Agriculture, Crop and Animal Production were enrolled also in the new bachelor’s studies. DIAE is located in Volos (Fitoko region) and in the building of the School of Agricultural Sciences (SGE) of the University of Thessaly (UTH).
The main strategic pillar of DIAE aims at the production and transmission of specialized scientific knowledge on critical issues for the further development and exploitation of the comparative advantages of our country. In a particularly critical period of the Greek economy, where few industries are now competitive, the contribution in terms of technical support, the development and dissemination of new technology and innovations, will undoubtedly give a new dynamic and existential entity to those who will finally be able to offer it. The fisheries industry in our country seems to have outstanding dynamics, as it has shown a remarkable course in recent years, especially via the rapid development of the aquaculture industry. However, the more an industry grows, the more dependent it becomes through
a) new - modern knowledge,
(b) technological innovations; and
c) technical support.
Further objectives of the DIAE strategy are formulated as follows:
- Emphasis on the production characteristics of DIAE,
- Production and transmission of new knowledge in cutting-edge methodologies for breeding and consequently the production of new, market-desired fishery products,
- Emphasis on critical issues such as improving the quality of production and consequently the final consumer products,
- Orientation on critical issues, such as stimulating demand and exports, which will help ensure a smoother distribution, by improving the competitiveness of the products produced,
- Development of technological innovations in the study and management of the aquatic ecosystem,
- Development of biotechnological innovations in the study and production of bioactive products, in the context of meeting the ever-increasing demand for these products, nationally and especially internationally.
The graduate Agricultural Fishologists of DIAE, have the qualifications and opportunities to work in Public Organizations, in the Private Sector and in International Organizations, as specifically defined in the Official Gazette of the qualification (PD 347/2003) and in the Official Gazette of the branch of Geotechnics (PD 344/2000). Recently, Laws N4262 / 2014, Law 4440/2016 replaced some law articles which further regulate the professional rights of the sector in relation to the university institutions and the labor market of the graduates. You can download here the study titled «Integration of Graduates of the Department in the Labor Market»