The University of Thessaly (UTH, Greece) is a research and education institution with an outstanding track record in EU. UTH has a strong presence in the academic ranking of universities due to the high impact research and scientific performance of the academic staff.
With >500 research & teaching staff, >9000 undergraduate and >1400 postgraduate students, the UTH is a leading university in Southeast Europe in the areas of physical education and sports sciences, nutrition and dietetics, health and medical sciences, veterinary science, engineering, and education. It is well known for its remarkably rich research output and its high-quality research-led-teaching.
The last four years UTH has been successfully operating relevant projects to ERASMUS SPORT. The UTH will act as a key partner in planning and organizing the project’s International Scientific Symposium, while they will play a key role in planning educational activities for engagement in physical activity and healthy lifestyles for both healthy and clinical populations.
University of Thessaly (UTH), Greece
Project teams, staff and experts
Panagiotis Tsimeas
Legal representative
Maria Mpougesi
Administrative Coordinator for Practical TrainingRole/Tasks in Mountain Games: Folklore Dance Representative
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Physical Education Teacher specialising in Greek traditional dance and its role in promoting health and wellbeing.
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Maria Mpougesi is a graduate of the Department of Physical Education and Sport Science at the University of Thessaly, Greece. She holds a Master’s degree in Exercise Psychology, completed through the University of Thessaly (Greece), the University of Jyväskylä (Finland), and KU Leuven (Belgium).
She continued her academic studies with a PhD at the University of Thessaly and the University of Magdeburg, Germany, focusing on mental health, exercise and dance, with particular emphasis on the effects of exercise and dance on cognitive function in older adults.
Maria teaches Greek traditional dance in Greece and abroad to people of all ages. Her research interests focus on quality of life, stress and emotional management, as well as the potential of Greek traditional dance to improve health and wellbeing.
She has participated in numerous conferences and seminars, presenting original research on dance, and has organised a range of dance events involving groups of different ages. She also organised the first conferences in Sydney, Australia, and Trikala, Thessaly, focusing on the relationship between music and dance, quality of life and health.
Combining practical experience with academic expertise, Maria develops innovative programmes using Greek traditional dance as a means of promoting participants’ health, wellbeing and quality of life.
Motto:
“Life is a dance; its melody and rhythm depend on us!”