16-ISABC · Ioannina 2023

University of Ioannina campus map and facilities for ISABC 2023

For Australian researchers preparing to attend the 16th International Symposium on Applied Bioinorganic Chemistry, the journey from the southern hemisphere to Epirus is significant, and so is arriving at a campus that may look unfamiliar on first glance. The University of Ioannina sits on a sprawling hillside site overlooking Lake Pamvotis, with departments dispersed across interconnected building clusters rather than a single central quad.

This guide walks through what delegates need to know about the ISABC 2023 venue, from finding their way across the campus grounds to locating the lecture theatres, poster halls, and social spaces that frame the symposium week. Practical details, including transport, signage, and local amenities, will help those stepping off a long-haul flight feel oriented before the first session begins.

Reaching Ioannina from Australian shores

The classic Australian researcher's route to Ioannina usually begins at Sydney or Melbourne airports, with a stopover in Singapore, Dubai, or Doha before connecting through Athens. From Eleftherios Venizelos, delegates can take a short domestic hop to Ioannina's National Airport or board one of the comfortable intercity coach services that run up the Epirus coast. Travellers who have flown across to conferences hosted by the University of Melbourne or ANU will recognise the rhythm of arriving bleary-eyed, but the late June schedule offers a softer landing, with mild Epirus evenings easing the worst of the jet lag.

Customs entry through Athens has become notably smoother in recent years, with e-gates available for many passport holders. Still, delegates should keep confirmation documents, including their symposium registration, easily accessible. The Zita Congress & Event Management team coordinates arrival logistics and can advise on the smoothest options for those landing late at night.

Decoding the campus map and its layout

The University of Ioannina campus map reveals an organic layout shaped by the hillside terrain, with pedestrian walkways cutting between faculty buildings, the central library, and the university hospital complex. Unlike the grid-style campuses of, say, the University of Queensland or Monash, the Ioannina grounds follow the contours of the land, and this often surprises first-time visitors.

For the ISABC symposium, the Department of Chemistry in the Faculty of Sciences is the anchor point. Sessions will run from this area outward into adjacent lecture theatres, and a printed pocket map will be available at the registration desk. Digital versions can also be saved through the symposium's mobile companion, which uses the same colour-coding system as the printed material to flag plenary halls, poster zones, and refreshment points.

Lecture theatres and symposium spaces

The plenary sessions will take place in the main chemistry auditorium, which has been recently refitted with modern projection and audio systems comparable to what Australian delegates would expect at the Australian Academy of Science facilities in Canberra. Parallel sessions will run in two adjoining seminar rooms, each with capacity for around eighty attendees.

Anyone wanting to plan their day in advance should consult the full symposium schedule, which lists session times, room allocations, and presenter details. The program is updated regularly, so checking it the evening before a busy day is a habit worth keeping, particularly when moving between poster sessions and invited lectures in different buildings.

Research support and practical amenities

Delegates travelling with laptops, tablets, or sensitive instrumentation will find dedicated support desks near the registration area, where the local organising committee and IT volunteers can assist with AV connections, eduroam access, and printing needs. The campus library remains open late during the symposium week and offers quiet booths ideal for last-minute poster revisions or preparation before a session.

The symposium also makes provisions for early-career researchers, including travel awards, poster prizes, and scholarship support administered through the University of Ioannina's graduate school office. Applicants from Australia should review the eligibility criteria on the symposium website and prepare documentation well before departure, since processing times do not pause for international travel.

Support available on-site

Food, coffee, and social hubs around campus

Aussies travelling abroad often miss their flat whites, and the campus cafeterias serve strong Greek coffee along with traditional freddo cappuccinos that reward the adventurous palate. The main refectory near the science faculty offers affordable lunches with both traditional and vegetarian options, while a cluster of small kiosks along the central pedestrian mall provides quick snacks between sessions.

Beyond the campus, the town of Ioannina has plenty of welcoming tavernas and lakeside cafés within a short walk. Delegates keen on networking outside the lecture hall will find informal dinners are where many of the best collaborations actually begin, and the local hosts are generous with recommendations for authentic Epirus cuisine.

Worth knowing for visiting researchers

Digital wayfinding and communication

The symposium's official digital channels provide the most reliable updates throughout the week. The official welcome message from the organising committee outlines both academic highlights and practical reminders, including dress codes, social events, and emergency contacts.

Free Wi-Fi is available across the campus, and the symposium app integrates room-finding features with session abstracts and presenter biographies. Delegates who have attended meetings hosted by the Royal Australian Chemical Institute will recognise the value of having a single, well-maintained digital companion, and the ISABC team has clearly taken notes from similar events.

Planning your symposium trip

Ioannina itself rewards visitors who stay a few extra days, with the lake, the island monastery, and the nearby Zagori villages all within easy reach. Australian delegates often pair the conference with a short holiday before flying home, particularly since late June weather in Epirus is reliably warm without being oppressive.

For anyone who has not yet confirmed travel, the smart move is to register through the symposium secretariat at Zita Congress & Event Management, sort the visa paperwork early, and book the campus-adjacent accommodation while rooms remain available. Lock in your place today and start mapping out the week ahead, so the focus in Ioannina can stay exactly where it belongs: on the science, the colleagues, and the spectacular setting that makes ISABC 2023 worth the long way from home.