Aggieland partners with Greece to offer dual master’s degrees
A new international joint program between Texas A&M University’s Department of Biomedical Engineering and Aristotle University of Thessaloniki in Greece offers graduate students the opportunity to earn two master’s degrees at once.
(From left) Dr. Georgios Savvaidis, dean and professor at Aristotle University of Thessaloniki’s School of Mechanical Engineering; Dr. Kyriakos Anastasiadis, rector and professor at Aristotle; Dr. Robert H. Bishop, vice chancellor and dean of Texas A&M Engineering; and Dr. Holly Hudson, associate vice president for Global Engagement at Texas A&M.
The Texas A&M University Department of Biomedical Engineering and Aristotle University of Thessaloniki in Greece have partnered to create an international dual master’s degree program, offering graduate students the opportunity to earn two master’s degrees at once. The 18-month program is designed to prepare students for medical device manufacturing careers in both the United States and European Union, with a special focus on reducing environmental impact through technological innovation and sustainable production practices.
“Of all the accomplishments our two institutions have achieved together, this dual master’s program stands out as a particularly meaningful milestone,” said Dr. Robert H. Bishop, vice chancellor and dean of Texas A&M Engineering. “This partnership exemplifies the power of international collaboration to advance education, research and innovation. By preparing biomedical engineers to lead in an increasingly interconnected world, we are investing in solutions that will strengthen healthcare and improve lives both locally and globally.”
The Design and Manufacturing of Sustainable Medical Devices program will award graduates a Master of Engineering in Biomedical Engineering degree from Texas A&M and a Master of Science in Design and Manufacturing of Sustainable Medical Devices degree from Aristotle’s School of Mechanical Engineering. Students will spend time in-person at both universities, gaining valuable insights into regulation and production methods for both American and European markets. Graduates will be prepared for design, research and development, manufacturing, regulatory affairs and entrepreneurship across the international medical technology sector.
“This program captures the spirit of our partnership. It is interdisciplinary, internationally embedded and designed to educate scientists, practitioners and engineers who can respond to pressing global health challenges with technical excellence and social responsibility,” said Dr. Kyriakos Anastasiadis, rector and professor at Aristotle. “It brings together complementary strengths, design methodology, advanced materials, manufacturing, testing and validation, while placing sustainability, safety and patient needs at the center. Most importantly, it creates a structured pathway for students to benefit from both academic ecosystems, faculty expertise and research infrastructures.”
Students will begin their academic journey in the program with online summer classes from Texas A&M, followed by a fall semester on campus in College Station, Texas, where they will study U.S.-focused specialties, including risk-based development and testing of medical devices and advanced medical device manufacturing.
The spring semester will be spent in-person at Aristotle’s campus in Thessaloniki, Greece, where students will be trained in EU-oriented studies, such as analysis and circular economy for medical devices and the EU regulatory framework.
After completing the spring semester in Thessaloniki, students will receive their master’s degree from Texas A&M. The next summer and fall are devoted to writing a master’s thesis with advisors from both universities. Upon completion, graduates will receive their master’s degree from Aristotle.
The program is the latest collaboration between the schools. Since 2022, 330 Texas A&M Engineering students have studied at faculty-led programs in Thessaloniki, and Texas A&M has hosted dozens of Greek exchange and degree-seeking students. Thanks to these partnerships, Greece has become one of Texas A&M College of Engineering’s top three global destinations.
“Our cooperation has delivered meaningful research outcomes. Joint publications, collaborative projects and shared expertise have advanced knowledge and supported innovation,” said Anastasiadis. “Let us continue to invest in people, ideas and shared infrastructure, with the confidence that cooperation between our institutions will deliver enduring benefits for our students, researchers and our communities.”
For more information, visit http://tx.ag/BMEgreece or email [email protected].
