# Mediterranean Agronomic Institute of Chania

> Educational and research institute

**Wikidata**: [Q6807032](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q6807032)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mediterranean_Agronomic_Institute_of_Chania)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/mediterranean-agronomic-institute-of-chania

## Summary
The Mediterranean Agronomic Institute of Chania (MAICh) is a Greek university-level educational and research institute located in Chania, Crete, and operates as one of the four institutes of the International Centre for Advanced Mediterranean Agronomic Studies (CIHEAM). It specializes in graduate education, research, and development projects focused on sustainable agriculture, food systems, and rural development in the Mediterranean region.

## Key Facts
- **Parent Organization**: Part of the International Centre for Advanced Mediterranean Agronomic Studies (CIHEAM)
- **Location**: Chania, Crete, Greece (coordinates: 35.4937°N, 24.0485°E)
- **Institution Type**: University-level academic institution
- **Official Website**: http://www.maich.gr/
- **Alternative Name**: CIHEAM Chania
- **GRID ID**: grid.419661.d
- **ROR ID**: 01pbz7c04
- **Country**: Greece
- **Primary Language**: English (Wikipedia entry)

## FAQs
### Q: What is the relationship between MAICh and CIHEAM?
A: MAICh is one of four institutes that comprise the International Centre for Advanced Mediterranean Agronomic Studies (CIHEAM), a Mediterranean intergovernmental organization focused on agricultural research and education.

### Q: Where exactly is MAICh located?
A: The institute is situated in Chania, a city on the Greek island of Crete, with geographic coordinates of 35.4937°N latitude and 24.0485°E longitude.

### Q: What level of education does MAICh provide?
A: MAICh operates as a university-level institution, offering graduate education and conducting advanced research in agronomic studies.

## Why It Matters
The Mediterranean Agronomic Institute of Chania serves as a critical hub for addressing the unique agricultural challenges facing Mediterranean countries. As part of CIHEAM's network of institutes, MAICh plays a vital role in fostering international cooperation on food security, sustainable agriculture, and rural development—issues that are particularly pressing in the Mediterranean region due to climate change, water scarcity, and population pressures. The institute's location in Crete positions it strategically at the crossroads of three continents, making it an ideal venue for bringing together researchers, policymakers, and students from across the Mediterranean basin to develop solutions for regional agricultural challenges. Through its graduate programs and research initiatives, MAICh contributes to building human capacity and generating knowledge that directly impacts agricultural practices, food systems, and rural livelihoods across Mediterranean countries.

## Notable For
- **Intergovernmental Status**: As part of CIHEAM, operates under an international framework with member countries from across the Mediterranean
- **Specialized Focus**: Dedicated exclusively to Mediterranean agronomic studies, addressing region-specific challenges
- **Strategic Location**: Based in Crete, providing a natural laboratory for Mediterranean agriculture and serving as a bridge between European, African, and Asian agricultural traditions
- **Network Integration**: Connected to global research networks through multiple identifiers (GRID, ROR, VIAF, ISNI)

## Body
### Institutional Framework
The Mediterranean Agronomic Institute of Chania operates within the unique framework of the International Centre for Advanced Mediterranean Agronomic Studies (CIHEAM), an intergovernmental organization established to promote cooperation in agricultural research and education among Mediterranean countries. This positioning gives MAICh both academic credentials and diplomatic significance, as it serves not only as an educational institution but also as a platform for international agricultural cooperation.

### Academic Identity
MAICh functions as a university-level institution, as indicated by its classification in the provided data. This designation places it within the higher education sector, capable of granting graduate degrees and conducting advanced research. The institute's focus on agronomic studies positions it within the specialized niche of agricultural sciences, with particular emphasis on Mediterranean contexts.

### Geographic and Strategic Position
Located in Chania on the island of Crete, MAICh occupies a strategic position in the eastern Mediterranean. This location provides both symbolic and practical advantages—Crete represents a historical crossroads of Mediterranean civilizations and offers diverse ecological conditions suitable for Mediterranean agricultural research. The specific coordinates (35.4937°N, 24.0485°E) place the institute in a region characterized by typical Mediterranean climate conditions, making it an ideal location for studying Mediterranean agriculture.

### Digital Presence and Identifiers
MAICh maintains a comprehensive digital footprint with multiple persistent identifiers that facilitate its integration into global research infrastructure. These include academic identifiers (GRID ID: grid.419661.d, ROR ID: 01pbz7c04), library authority files (VIAF ID: 141783821, ISNI: 0000000096028817), and specialized databases (GND ID: 6099792-8). Such identifiers ensure the institute's recognition across various academic and research platforms worldwide.

## References

1. GRID Release 2017-01-10
2. Virtual International Authority File
3. [Source](http://www.maich.gr/)
4. GRID Release 2015-12-14
5. GRID Release 2016-12-06
6. Quora
7. Aligned ISNI and Ringgold identifiers for institutions
8. [Source](https://apps.db.ripe.net/search/lookup.html?source=ripe&key=2001:648:2440::/48&type=inet6num)
9. Microsoft Academic Knowledge Graph