President’s Address

Dr. Andreas Persidis - 1985

Naval Architecture & Marine Engineering

Inauguration Address - February 2025

Dear fellow Alumni

 It is an honour to have been elected President of HAAUGLA and I thank you for your trust in my person.

Allow me to start by expressing what I trust is our collective gratitude to our outgoing President and BoD.

To the extent that “a job started is a job half done” we shall be eternally grateful to Alexander Athnassoulas and the BoD for having completed 50% of our work and getting us started in this exciting and worthy endeavor. Priming the pump is never easy and the early days of any effort can be disproportionately harder than one might think. But they succeeded in bringing us to where we are today and making HAAUGLA prominent in the Greek – and dare I say European? - UK alumni space. For this we are forever appreciative.

I am honoured and look forward to serving as your president because of three main reasons:

  • I am a big believer and fan of the younger generations. If, through HAAUGLA, we can serve them in any small way in their academic and “early steps in working life” worries and aspirations, we will have made a worthy contribution to society.

  • These are very exciting and challenging times for education, the economy and our societies and HAAUGLA, acting as a bridge between our beloved University and our members, could and should play a role in shaping developments.

  • University alumni clubs must adapt to the times if they are to remain relevant. The time to do it is now.

 There are many things to be done, but let me start with what I consider to be “the basics”:

  • HAAUGLA should not be just about networking and some social gatherings. Yes, it should be about broad UTILITY and FUN but this utility should focus on education in the face of modern challenges, governance, culture and strengthening of ties in a meaningful and practical sense.

  • The relationship between our University and HAAUGLA should continue to be of equitable appreciation, respect and mutual benefit, where we both recognise needs and challenges we face and work together to address them

  • Serving HAAUGLA is on a voluntary basis and so if we expect outcomes, we should all contribute to the best of our ability. We should all try to be DOers and not just watchers or critics.

While “basic”, none of these items is straightforward or easy to achieve. Additionally, we do not have unlimited resources at HAAUGLA, so together with our members and the BoD, I will work to prioritize our goals and address them in a systematic and methodical manner.

I know that the position of President has an expiry date and that I will be rightfully subject to your constant evaluation and expectation of performance. For now, I can only promise to try my best, so do stay tuned.

I look forward to working with you all to rise to the very worthy mission that is HAAUGLA.

Your President

Andreas Persidis

Alexander Athanassoulas - 1992

MBA

Outgoing Address - February 2025

A Journey of progress and gratitude.

Some years ago, when the Hellenic Alumni Association of Glasgow University was turning from a dream to a reality, I envisioned more than an association, a bonded community that would not only celebrate our shared academic heritage at the UoG but also create relationships, capture opportunities, and build collaborations that would stand the test of time. Today, as I conclude my terms as the first President of the Association after 8 years, I am filled with pride and deep gratitude for the extraordinary journey we have traveled together, even though most of it was through difficult times of the Greek financial crisis or Covid.

Reflecting on these years, I see more than milestones achieved—I see friendships formed, bonds strengthened, and a network that transcends borders. Our association could indeed have grown bigger in numbers. Nevertheless, it did succeed in becoming more than just a gathering of graduates; it became an impactful group of influential professionals where ideas flourished, support was given, and meaningful connections were made. I would like to believe that I leave my Presidency leaving behind also a legacy of trust, respect, and inspiration.

Based on these three pillars, trust, respect, and inspiration, this journey was also blessed by meaningful collaborations with esteemed institutions. From fostering ties with the British Council and the British Embassy in Greece to deepening our relationship with our beloved University of Glasgow and the Alumni office, these partnerships enlarged our impact and brought new extents to our collective experience. Today HAAUGLA is also officially recognized as one of the top Alumni Associations in Greece, and one of the top Alumni Associations of the University of Glasgow globally. I am confident that these accolades will continue to grow and evolve under the Presidency of Andreas Persidis and the new BoD, offering new opportunities for our members in the years to come.

While this chapter comes to a close, the story of HAAUGLA of course continues. I step aside, as I should after many years. But I do so with optimism, knowing that the foundation we built is strong and the future holds many more, if not endless, possibilities. Our association has never been about a single person—it has always been about the collective spirit, the power of shared experiences, and the willingness to support one another.

Last but not least, I remain deeply committed to our community. I will support in any way possible our community for it to thrive, bringing together the next generation of Glasgow graduates and fostering new collaborations. Let’s keep the dialogue open, the collaborations ongoing, and the spirit of Glasgow alive in everything we do. I encourage each of you to stay engaged. Our greatest strength lies in our unity and willingness to support one another. For those who wish to collaborate, share ideas, or simply reconnect, my door remains always open.

To all of you, a warm heartful thank you. Thank you for trusting me, for walking this path together, and for making these years an unforgettable experience. The friendships, memories, and lessons will stay with me always. With deep gratitude and optimism for what lies ahead.

Alex Athanassoulas
President 2017-2025