Presentation of Diploma Theses of the Postgraduate Students via videoconference. We would like to thank the members of the three-member committees for their contribution to the implementation of the work, who helped our students with their valuable advice. Congratulations to all the students and good luck in your careers!!!

The Postgraduate Diploma in "Colorectal Surgery" trying to overcome the difficult conditions that arose due to the coronavirus pandemic, continued the lessons of the 2nd Semester of the academic year 2019-2020 with modern distance learning. Great teachers from Greece and abroad honored us with their presence in our online classes. The postgraduate students had the opportunity to attend excellent presentations, accompanied by impressive corresponding videos from scientists who are at the forefront of the topics they developed, but also to discuss with them and share their experience.
The participating Teachers of the online courses of the 2nd Semester in alphabetical order are:
the Professor Werner Hohenberger from Erlangen, Germany, surgeon, oncologist and cancer researcher.
the Professor Albert Wolthuis, University Hospital of Leuven, Belgium
the Professor Parris Tekkis, Royal Marsden Hospital, Imperial College, London
Mr. Christos Kontovounisios, Clinical Senior Lecturer Consultant Colorectal and General Surgeon, London
Mr. Athanasiadis A. Pathologist Oncologist PGNL
the lady Vasiou AProfessor of Anatomy, University of Thessaloniki.
the lady Gourtsoyianni S.Assistant Professor of Radiology, University of Athens
Mr. Zacharoulis D. Professor of Surgery, University of Thessaloniki
Mr. Theodoropoulos G. Associate Professor, National University of Athens
Mr. Koffas A. Gastroenterology Resident
Mr. Mavrantonis K., Director of the 6th Surgical Clinic HYGEIA
Mr. Balogiannis I. Assistant Professor, University of Thessaloniki
Mr. Papadopoulos B. Pathologist Oncologist PGNL
the lady Papacharalambous K. Pathologist Iaso Thessaly
Mr. Pehlivanidis G. General Surgeon, former Director of the Surgical Clinic of the Naval Hospital of Athens
Mr. Stamou K. General Surgeon, Director of the Second Surgical Clinic, Mother
Mr. Symeonidis D. General Surgeon, Academic Fellow
Mr. Tzovaras G. (Director of the Postgraduate Program) Professor of Surgery, University of Thessaloniki, Director of the Surgery Clinic, PGNL
Mr. Tsanadis K. Editor B, Oncologist, PGNL
Mr. Christodoulakis M. Surgeon General Director Venizelio General Hospital
We warmly thank them for their participation in the postgraduate courses.

The First Semester courses for the new academic year 2019-2020 were held with great success and without any obstacles. With a dynamic group of students and the participation of great Professors and Lecturers, with extensive scientific experience in their field, we managed to complete the lectures on benign diseases of the colon and rectum this year. We thank everyone for their participation!

On February 8, 2019, students of the Postgraduate Program in "Colorectal Surgery" presented their theses, which are scheduled to be carried out during the 3rd semester of each academic cycle.

Their topics concerned diseases of the lower digestive tract and their treatment methods, while they were covered thoroughly and adequately by each student, respectively, faithfully following the advice of their Supervisors during their preparation.

The reviews they received from the three-member committees were excellent. After each presentation, a brief discussion on the topic followed and relevant questions were posed to the examinees.

Supervising Professors from other cities were able to connect with us via video conference and watch the students' presentations live, as well as chat with them.

On 26-27/11/2018, an educational seminar was held at the Research-Experimental Center of ELPEN in Pikermi, Attica, by the surgical team and students of the postgraduate program "Colorectal Surgery".

They performed laparoscopic enterectomy and anastomosis in experimental animals, simulated laparoscopic right and left colectomy, transanal techniques and pelvic trainer. The entire procedure was taught by the Director of the Postgraduate School, Mr. Georgios Tzovaras, the Postgraduate Associate Assistant Professor, Mr. Ioannis Balogiannis, the General Surgeon, Mr. Ioannis Mamaloudis and the General Surgeon, Mr. Akis Panousopoulos.

The organization of the entire successful process was undertaken by the Director of the Research-Experimental Center of ELPEN, Mr. Apostolos Papalois, Dr. Biologist.

Within the framework of the Postgraduate Studies Program of the Department of Medicine of the University of Thessaly "Colorectal - Rectal Surgery" (Director: Professor G. Tzovaras), two internationally distinguished Professors in the field of Colorectal and Rectal Surgery were recently hosted.

Specifically, on April 13, Prof Paris Tekkis, Royal Marsden Hospital, Imperial College, London presented the latest views on the treatment of locally advanced rectal cancer as well as the strategy for treating recurrences, while on April 28, Prof Albert Wolthuis, University Hospital of Leuven, Belgium presented all the details of TaTME, a new laparoendoscopic technique for the treatment of rectal cancer, a technique in which his department is a pioneer.

The postgraduate students of the MSc had the opportunity to attend excellent presentations, accompanied by impressive corresponding videos from scientists who are at the forefront of the topics they developed, as well as to discuss with them and share their experience. The presence and active participation of two foreign Professors of this level in the MSc "Colorectal Surgery" is an honor for the Department of Medicine of the University of Thessaloniki, which, in this way, contributes substantially to the qualitative upgrading of the postgraduate studies provided to the Greek surgical community.