First place for our University and our Department in the International Competition Project Management Championship (PMC) of IPMA!
For the first time in the history of the competition, a Greek team has won 1st place at the Project Management Championship (PMC) 2025, held in Warsaw on June 6-7, among top university teams from all over Europe and the world. The competition, organized by the Young Crew of the International Project Management Association (IPMA) — one of the most important international organizations in Project Management — tested the abilities of the participants through a simulation of a complex business project, under a tight time frame. The challenge required realistic project management: leadership, decision-making, and teamwork under pressure.
The winning team
The University of Piraeus was represented by University of Piraeus students Giorgos Vellis and Kostas Sakellariou (postgraduate students in Project Management), Anastasia Michioti and Andreas Mantakas (graduate undergraduate students). The Greek team stood out among previous champions and distinguished international entries, impressing the scientific committee with their strategy, use of data for decision-making and impeccable teamwork.
“The chemistry and trust between the members was exceptional,” said Professor Dimitrios Emiris, scientific director and Chair of the Department of Industrial Management and Technology. “They didn’t just prepare – they practiced like professionals. That made all the difference.”
A milestone for Greece
It is the first time in the 15 years of the competition that a Greek team has won the top prize — an emblematic success for Greek higher education worldwide.
The victory confirms the quality of the educational process and the practical training offered by the University of Piraeus — especially in the rapidly growing field of Project Management, which covers sectors such as technology, industry, finance and social innovation.
The University’s postgraduate program, offered by the Department of Industrial Management and Technology, is the first and only one in Greece to award a Master of Science (MSc) exclusively in Project Management. It has received full accreditation from the Hellenic National Academy of Engineering and Technology and is in line with international standards, combining theory with practical application. “We built this program through almost 15 years of experience. It’s not just studies – it’s a leadership accelerator,” noted Professor Dimitrios Emiris.
Modern Project Management is about managing people, risks, quality, change, knowledge and communications — and is becoming increasingly critical to any organization seeking strategic agility and leadership. At the University of Piraeus, students don’t just learn Project Management — they live it. And they apply it, on an international level.
