The Agricultural University of Athens (AUA) is the 3^rd oldest university in Greece. Since 1920, contributes consistently and continuously to Greek and European primary sector development, by conducting basic and applied research in agricultural related sciences. The University is situated on a green campus that straddles close to the Acropolis, at the heart of the ancient Olive Grove. AUA campus is a complex of 16 buildings comprising of auditoriums, 41 fully equipped laboratories, a modern library, computer clusters, extensive agricultural facilities (an arboretum, vineyard, experimental fields, flower garden, greenhouses, cowshed, sheep pen, chicken coop, dairy installations, aquaculture tanks). AUA counts 185 academic stuff, 300 supportive stuff, 3,000 students, 450 MSc students and 250 PhD students. Since 1920, AUA has been making valuable contributions to Greek and European economic development and policy-making, by conducting basic and applied research in agricultural and environmental sciences and by producing high quality graduates and cutting edge scientific knowledge. AUA research funding schemes come from the private sector as well EU and Greek research projects. With its considerable research activity, which is carried out within the framework of well-organized postgraduate studies and funded by EU and various international and national organizations, AUA contributions address a wide range of issues related to food safety and environmental protection significantly affecting the daily lives of Greek and Europeans citizens: food quality and safety, plant protection, water resource conservation, organic farming, alternative energy sources, biotechnological applications in agriculture, information and communications technology. Nowadays, AUA is fulfilling its role as a valuable advisor of the State in agricultural and environmental issues and it is actively participating in projects on rural development. AUA contributes consistently and continuously to Greek and European primary sector development by training undergraduate and postgraduate students in different fields of agriculture, by providing short training courses for young people in the primary sector of the economy and agricultural production and entrepreneurship. AUA professors and researchers are actively participating in the training of advisors, agronomists and farmers with a mission to transfer the basic research knowledge of sustainable and environmentally friendly agricultural practices from the lab bench to the farmers.