Nikos Papadakis Appointed Distinguished Visiting Professor in India
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The University of Crete marks a significant international achievement with the selection of Professor Nikos Papadakis, from the Department of Political Science, as International Distinguished Visiting Professor at Parul University in India. His appointment follows an open international call under the International Visiting Professor Program 2025–2026, with the final selection made by the Academic Committee of the Center for International Relations and Research of the University.
Professor Papadakis has been invited to teach in September 2026 in the MA Programme in Political Science at the Faculty of Liberal Arts, while also delivering research seminars to the academic staff and conducting independent research. His participation strengthens the international footprint of the University of Crete within one of the world’s most dynamic and rapidly expanding academic ecosystems.
Parul University is among India’s fastest growing higher education institutions. Established in 1993 and formally constituted in 2015, it holds the highest NAAC accreditation grade, A++, awarded by the National Assessment & Accreditation Council. It is a member of the Association of Commonwealth Universities and ranks as the 18th best university in India according to UniRank. Since 2023, it has been listed among India’s Top 50 universities in innovation, has received the QS Diamond Rating under the QS I GAUGE framework, and in 2025 was distinguished with the Platinum+ Band: Institute of Prominence in Outcome Based Educational Rankings by R World Institutional Ranking. In the Times Higher Education Interdisciplinary Science Rankings 2026, it is placed in the 501–600 global band.
With 21 Faculties, more than 200 academic programmes, 36 Institutes, two integrated Research Centres, a university hospital, and over 70,500 students from across India alongside more than 6,000 international students from 75 countries, Parul University stands as one of the country’s most comprehensive and outward looking academic institutions.
This new distinction adds to Professor Papadakis’ ongoing appointment as International Adjunct Faculty at Marwadi University, a position he holds from July 2025 to July 2030 following an official invitation. Marwadi University is accredited with NAAC A+ for the period 2023–2028, has received top innovation distinctions from ARIIA of India’s Ministry of Education, and has been recognised as a “Centre of Excellence” by the Regional Government of Gujarat.
The appointment of Professor Papadakis underscores the international recognition of his scholarly work and academic excellence. It also reflects the high calibre of the University of Crete’s academic staff and aligns with the broader strategy of internationalisation and outward engagement pursued by the University’s Rectorate and Administration, including the strengthening of institutional ties with India—one of the world’s largest and most rapidly developing countries.
