Classes Start October 10, 2025

The Department of Medicine of the University of Thessaly, after the completion of the first round of candidate selection, announces that it will extend the deadline for applications to participate in the selection process and once again invites interested parties to submit their candidacy. until 30-09-2025 for the Postgraduate Studies Program (PMS) entitled: "Colorectal Surgery" for the academic year 2025-2026, which leads to the award of a Postgraduate Diploma (MPD).

The Master of Science in Colorectal Surgery aims to provide a high level of specialized and up-to-date knowledge, as well as to conduct research in the field of surgical pathology of the colon and rectum, benign and malignant diseases, so that its graduates acquire a strong scientific theoretical background, experience and know-how in contemporary issues of treating diseases of the colon and rectum. The increased incidence of both benign diseases and colorectal cancer in clinical practice, as well as the rapid development of both diagnostic and, most importantly, therapeutic options and strategies, makes the field of colorectal surgery one of the most important fields of specialization in general surgery internationally. It is proven that specialization leads to improved outcomes and has a favorable impact on public health.

Main objectives of the Master's Degree Program "Colorectal Surgery" is:

• the training and specialization of new doctors in a broad cutting-edge field of modern Surgery, such as Colorectal and Anal Surgery
• the in-depth, thorough and based on the most up-to-date bibliographic data education of the new scientific potential
• the provision of the necessary supplies that will lead to the production of new knowledge by the trainees
• the creation of scientists with the required skills for successful careers in the private, public and academic sectors
• preparation for postgraduate studies at doctoral level

The duration of the postgraduate studies is three (3) academic semesters:

1^the (Winter) Semester: Theoretical training – benign diseases

2^the (Spring) Semester: Theoretical training – malignant diseases

3^the (Winter) Semester: Internship and Thesis

with a total of 90 credits (ECTS).

The start of the postgraduate courses will be October 10, 2025. The courses are held either in person in the auditoriums and classrooms of the Department of Medicine of the University of Thessaly in Larissa or remotely using the University's electronic platforms. The postgraduate courses are held 1-2 times a month (Friday afternoon, Saturday and Sunday morning).

The practical training includes:

1. Real-time monitoring of surgeries performed in the operating rooms of the Larissa General Hospital. The surgical cases are related to the content of the postgraduate courses and concern both benign and malignant diseases of the colon and rectum.
2. Performing laparoscopic colon-rectomies (laparoscopic colectomies -right and left colectomy-, laparoscopic enterectomy, low anterior resection and laparoscopic anastomosis) by trainees on fresh human cadaveric specimens under the supervision and guidance of experienced trainers, teachers in the Program. The two-day training program is implemented at the Research-Experimental Center of ELPEN in Pikermi, Attica, in collaboration with the non-profit organization Node Institute and the company Johnson and Johnson.
3. Practical training in Special Simulators with simulated operations.

The purpose of the educational program and internship is the coordinated learning of surgical techniques by the participating students of the Postgraduate Program, so that they are able to reproduce these procedures on patients under real conditions.

The language of instruction for the postgraduate courses is Greek and/or English. Attendance at the courses is mandatory.

The tuition fees for the Postgraduate Diploma Program amount to two thousand four hundred euros (€2,400). They are paid in three installments of eight hundred euros (€800) at the beginning of each semester.

Selection criteria

The Postgraduate Program accepts graduates (or final year students, provided they graduate by September 2025) from Departments of Medicine, Schools of Health Sciences of domestic Universities or recognized equivalent institutions abroad.

The selection process will be based on the application files and will be carried out on criteria such as the degree grade, knowledge of foreign languages (especially English), possession of other postgraduate degrees, professional and any research activity (publications in scientific journals, presentations at conferences), letters of recommendation. In some cases, candidates may be invited to a personal interview by the members of the Postgraduate Student Selection Committee.

The necessary supporting documents that candidates must submit are:

1. Printed application form (available on the PMS website) https://www.med.uth.gr/msc.crs/el/        Studies Applications-Forms).
2. Detailed CV with information about the candidate's studies, research and professional experience (with the corresponding supporting documents).
3. Copy of diploma or certificate that they have completed their studies and are expected to graduate by the start date of the courses (September 2025).
4. Scientific publications, awards, and evidence of research activity (if any).
5. Evidence of professional experience (if any).
6. Copy of detailed score.
7. Photocopy of both sides of the police ID.
8. Two (2) letters of recommendation from University professors, researchers or prominent personalities.
9. Evidence of foreign languages – especially English.
10. A recent photograph (attached to the application).

Application deadline from 1 until September 30, 2025

Interested postgraduate student candidates can send electronics their application to the secretariat's e-mail colorectaluth@gmail.com in order to be registered. They must then submit an application file with the necessary supporting documents to the PMS secretariat (sent by courier) within the deadline.

Address for sending applications with courier:

Department of Medicine, University of Thessaly

Panepistimiou 3, Biopolis, postal code 41500, Larissa

Office 329, 3^th floor, 1st Wing

Attention Mr. Konstantinos Kalfountzos

Information telephone: 6946 398313 (Ms. Maria Kyritsaka, Postgraduate Program Secretariat)

Contact hours: 14:00-21:00

e-mail: colorectaluth@gmail.com

Website: https://www.med.uth.gr/msc.crs/el/

fb: Postgraduate "Colorectal Surgery"

The Director of the Postgraduate Program

George A. Tzovaras

Professor of Surgery

Department of Medicine

University of Thessaly