UAS partners with Greek and New York universities in joint blue economy initiative

The University of Alaska Southeast joins an international initiative to create academic programs in the blue economy.

Juneau, Alaska

Date of Press Release: October 29, 2025

Juneau, Alaska; Oswego, N.Y.; Patras, Greece — The University of Alaska Southeast has joined forces with the State University of New York (SUNY) at Oswego and the University of Patras in Greece in an international initiative to create academic programs in the blue economy.

The collaboration bridges expertise in marine sciences from Alaska and Greece with business and economic leadership in the Great Lakes region, preparing students to address the interconnected challenges of regional economic transformation, marine sustainability, policy innovation, tourism, and the global seafood trade.

The initiative aims to develop leaders who can guide the future of the blue economy — the sustainable use of interconnected marine and freshwater resources for economic growth and improved livelihoods, while preserving the health of ocean and Great Lakes ecosystems.

“This project aims to provide the knowledge and tools to support seafood business management transformation in response to resource limitations and interruptions in the global fishery products supply chain. Areas of specialization may include marine policy, aquaculture and fisheries value chain business management, marine life conservation and restoration,” said Professor Ioannis (John) A. Theodorou, head of the Department of Fisheries and Aquaculture at the University of Patras.

The primary degree program being developed is an MPSea — a master's in marine policy, seafood business management and marketing — but the scope will likely be broader. Under a memorandum of understanding, the three universities will collaborate to:

• Co-supervise graduate theses and dissertations.
• Conduct joint research projects and scholarly exchanges.
• Facilitate faculty, staff, and student exchanges across all levels of study.
• Organize joint academic events, including conferences, workshops and symposia.
• Publish and submit collaborative research proposals advancing innovation in marine governance, seafood markets and policy development.

“SUNY Oswego is uniquely positioned on the shores of Lake Ontario to lead the sustainable and economic transformation of the Great Lakes region in the coming decades. We are thrilled to leverage this global partnership to engage our students with meaningful applied projects, connect our faculty to impactful research opportunities and collaborate with colleagues from Alaska and Greece to drive innovation and rise to meet the shared challenges that each of our individual regions face,” said Dr. Michele Thornton, associate professor of marketing and management at SUNY Oswego.

Students will gain cross-cultural experience and develop global competencies by studying in Greece, Alaska and New York, while learning from a diverse international faculty. “This is a powerful example of how international collaboration can drive transformative education,” said Carin Silkaitis, dean of Arts and Sciences at the University of Alaska Southeast. “By bringing together business, science and policy, we’re helping students engage deeply with the complex realities of sustainable ocean management from multiple global perspectives.”

The joint initiative was developed with support from the Greek Ministry of Education, Religious Affairs and Sports through a €1.4 million planning grant. Together, the institutions will evaluate outcomes, share best practices and expand international research partnerships that connect local environments to global systems.

About the partner institutions:

The State University of New York at Oswego is a public comprehensive university with a strong focus on applied learning, business innovation, and global education. Its College of Business and Entrepreneurship is accredited by AACSB International and emphasizes sustainability, entrepreneurship, and leadership in global markets. www.oswego.edu 

The University of Alaska Southeast offers hands-on, place-based education rooted in the natural and cultural environment of Southeast Alaska. With campuses in Juneau, Sitka, and Ketchikan, UAS is known for its strengths in marine biology, environmental science, Alaska Native studies, and policy leadership in coastal sustainability. www.uas.alaska.edu 

The University of Patras was founded in 1964 and is one of Greece’s premier research universities, internationally recognized for innovation in marine science, aquaculture, and sustainable development. www.upatras.gr