Konstantinos Carathéodory was one of the most emblematic figures of the Greek and European mathematical community of the twentieth century, not only because of his contribution to his scientific field, but also because of his decisive role in the administrative and academic reorganisation of higher education in Greece. Of particular significance was his activity at the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki during the period 1930–1932, when he assumed a leading role in the “relaunch” of the institution as government commissioner.
His objective was to establish a modern academic environment that would link teaching with research and promote excellence as a fundamental principle of institutional operation. Through this strategy, he sought to strengthen the autonomy of Aristotle University at a time when, in its early years, the institution faced considerable difficulties arising from the political turbulence of the period. By way of illustration, one may mention the abolition, by decree of D. Aiginitis, of Law 3341 of 14 June 1925 of the Michalakopoulos government, “On the Establishment of a University in Thessaloniki,” only one year after its enactment, and the subsequent subordination of Aristotle University to the Academy of Athens.
His contribution to the formulation of University Law 5343 of 23 March 1932 was also of major importance. This law governed the fortunes of Greek Higher Education Institutions for half a century, until the introduction of Framework Law 1268 in 1982.
