Athena Participated in a Greek Delegation to China

The Country's Leading Research Institutions Promoting Collaborations

07-11-2024

 

Greek Delegation Visits China to Promote Collaborations between Leading Research Institutions
From October 12-19, 2024, scientists from the National Center for Scientific Research "Demokritos," the Foundation for Research and Technology (FORTH), and the Athena Research Center visited China to enhance cooperation between the two nations. The visit was supported by the Chinese Embassy and co-organized with the Palace Museum of the Forbidden City in Beijing, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, and other organizations. This inaugural mission highlights the mutual desire to strengthen bilateral relations and establish research partnerships in fields of common interest.
The Greek delegation included:
  • NCSR Demokritos: Dr. Vangelis Karkaletsis, Director of the Institute of Informatics & Telecommunications, and Dr. Kostas Eleftheriadis, elected Director of the Institute of Nuclear and Radiological Sciences, Energy, and Safety.
  • FORTH: Prof. Nektarios Tavernarakis, Chairman of the Board, and Prof. Yiannis Vontas, Director of the Institute of Molecular Biology & Biotechnology.
  • Athena Research Center: Minos Garofalakis, Director of the Institute of Information Systems (IIS) and Professor at the Technical University of Crete.
Highlights of the Visit
The six-day program included visits to research institutions in Beijing and Shanghai, such as the Institute of Scientific and Technical Information of China (ISTIC), the Palace Museum, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, and the NICE Organization. The delegation also toured leading tech companies (e.g., Huawei, Xiaomi), exploring China's cultural heritage and groundbreaking technological achievements.
 
Dr. Vangelis Karkaletsis from NCSR Demokritos remarked:
"Demokritos has recently initiated several collaborative efforts, supported by the Chinese Embassy in Greece, focusing on the use of digital technologies in culture and philosophy. Through the AiTHERION initiative (https://aitherion.gr/) at the Athens Conservatory—a collaboration with the Ministry of Culture—students and researchers from China have visited the site to experience cultural programs centered on ancient Greek philosophy. Our partnership with Shanghai Jiao Tong University includes joint research and educational activities in artificial intelligence, culture, and philosophy. During this visit, we explored expanding our research collaborations into energy and environmental fields, which are priorities for us."
 
Prof. Nektarios Tavernarakis of FORTH stated:
"FORTH has a longstanding, multi-faceted collaboration with China, involving joint research and academic activities in artificial intelligence, lasers, molecular biology, and biotechnology. Our partnerships include student and researcher exchanges and knowledge-sharing initiatives. We’ve signed agreements with prominent Chinese institutions such as XJTLU University, ISTIC, JITRI Research Institute, Qingdao’s National Development Zone, and the Palace Museum. This visit reaffirms these connections and allows us to explore new collaborations, addressing pressing global challenges like pandemics and climate change through intercontinental research efforts."
 
Prof. Minos Garofalakis of Athena Research Center added:
"I sincerely thank the Embassy of the People's Republic of China in Athens for this opportunity to witness firsthand the remarkable research and academic achievements of Chinese institutions. It was a unique experience that broadened our perspective on large-scale applied research and development. Athena Research Center already has active collaborations with leading Chinese companies and universities, including Huawei Technologies and Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (HKUST). We hope this visit will strengthen existing ties and foster new joint research initiatives."
 
The Greek delegation visited, among others: the Digital Research & Health Services Platform of Wanboke Group at the Institute of Scientific and Technical Information of China, the laboratories of Alibaba's Campus in Beijing, Huawei’s Conference and Exhibition Center, the Palace Museum, the royal palace of the Ming and Qing dynasties of China, Xiaomi Technology Park in Beijing, the Aerospace Information Research Center of the Chinese Academy of Sciences (AIRCAS), Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shougang Park, the National Agricultural Science and Technology Demonstration Park of the Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, and more.
 

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