News

The Women Innovation Unit of the Athena Research Center participated in a Career Day event organized within the framework of the Code4Europe project and the European campaign Careers in Digital. The event took place on May 15, 2026, at the 3rd Vocational High School of Piraeus.

 

During the visit, the team presented the work and activities of Athena and the Women Innovation Unit, while also engaging in discussions on key topics relevant to young people, such as pathways to careers in computer science and technology through diverse educational and professional routes. The presentation highlighted the role of computer science as a fundamental tool across a wide range of professional fields, not only in purely technical roles but also as an interdisciplinary enabler supporting innovation, problem-solving, research, education, entrepreneurship, and many other sectors. Through open dialogue, students had the opportunity to learn about real career paths in the field of technology, as well as the importance of digital skills in today’s labor market. At the same time, the discussion emphasized the critical role of computer science in shaping future academic and professional choices.

 

Athena’s participation in similar initiatives reflects its ongoing commitment to strengthening digital literacy, promoting gender equality in technology, and fostering stronger connections between research, education, and society.

 

Within the same framework, the Code4Europe project has recently implemented a number of dynamic initiatives targeting young people. For instance, on March 27, 2026, the online event “How Much Do You Trust AI? A Practical and Ethical Approach to Artificial Intelligence”, organized by InterMediaKT and Athena, gave students from lower and upper secondary education the opportunity to explore how autonomous vehicles “perceive” the road, discuss key issues related to ethics and privacy, and design their own “Digital Mobility Assistant” for the city of Athens. In addition, the event “Girls in Digital: Code Smart, Stay Safe”, hosted at Athena on March 29, 2026, focused on cybersecurity and the development of digital skills. Participants engaged in hands-on activities, identifying phishing emails and experimenting with entry-level cybersecurity labs (TryHackMe / HTB), guided by experts from Women4Cyber. Furthermore, a strong focus on empowering girls and women in technology was highlighted through the talk “Women, Technology, and Promoting Equality – Best Practices in Greece and Abroad” by Ms. Eleni Petra, Head of the Women Innovation Unit at Athena. The talk was part of the event “Women in STEAM: Equality – Human Rights – European Values”, organized on March 31, 2026, on the occasion of International Women’s Day, within the framework of the Girls in Digital campaign.

These initiatives demonstrate Athena’s systematic effort to support young people in developing modern digital skills, strengthen their confidence in technology, and encourage them to pursue studies and career paths in STEM fields.

 

More information for the Code4Europe project find in the link: https://codeweek.eu/