The Beyond 2022 exhibition, held from 29/09 to 01/10 in Thessaloniki, offered the opportunity for a first meeting of Greece's European Digital Innovation Hubs (EDIHs).
On Friday, 30/9, as part of the exhibition's program, representatives of the network of approved Greek European Digital Innovation Hubs had the opportunity to present the hubs that will contribute to the digital and green upgrade of small and medium-sized enterprises in Greece.
The discussion panel was organized on the initiative of the National Infrastructures for Research and Technology (GRNET) and the GR digiGOV-innoHUB hub, as part of the presentation “GR digiGOV-innoHUB – the European Digital Innovation Hub for Digital Governance”.
The panel included:
- Giannis Kotsis – Giannarakis, Digital Innovation Coordinator at GRNET, representative of the “GR digiGOV-innoHUB” EDIH
- Kleio Sgouropoulou, Vice Rector of the University of West Attica, representative of the “GR digiGOV-innoHUB” EDIH
- Apostolos Dimitriadis, Technology Transfer Advisor at the Foundation for Research & Technology, representative of the “smart HEALTH” EDIH
- Maria Michalopoulou, Vice Rector for Research & Lifelong Learning at Democritus University of Thrace, representative of the “#DigiAgriFood” EDIH
- Tasos Vasileiadis, Institute of Entrepreneurship Development iED, representative of the “HEALTH HUB” EDIH
- Periklis Terlixidis, Executive Director of the Attica Hub for the Economy of Data and Devices at the National Centre for Scientific Research (NCSR) Demokritos, representative of the “SmartAttica – AtHeNAI” EDIH
The discussion was moderated by Mr. Spyros Kapetanakis, of GRNET's Digital Governance Directorate.
The audience was made up of members of the consortia of the hubs above and interested visitors to the exhibition.
The speakers presented the hubs they represent. They spoke about the hubs' consortia, the goals and services they plan to offer, and the challenges they face. Special emphasis was placed on the need for cooperation within the network of hubs. To this end, it was proposed that the hubs meet regularly, to solve implementation issues that may arise and to complement one another where needed. Finally, the meeting recorded some first implementation issues and questions to be raised for discussion with the coordinating body set up for this purpose.
#DigiAgriFood was represented by Ms. Maria Michalopoulou, Vice Rector of Democritus University of Thrace, the hub's Coordinating body. The #DigiAgriFood consortium also includes the University of Thessaly, Perrotis College of the American Farm School, the Institute of Bio-Economy & Agri-Technology (iBO) of the Centre for Research & Technology Hellas, the Region of Eastern Macedonia & Thrace and ena Development Consultants.
During her talk, Ms. Michalopoulou stressed the need for cooperation and a shared path among European Digital Innovation Hubs active in both the same and different sectors, and gave a short presentation of #DigiAgriFood.
ena Development Consultants had a strong presence at the meeting, which was followed with great interest by Dimitris Bardakidis, General Manager, Stavros Amoiras, Director of Strategic Planning & Development, and Stella Bazdani, Head of European Programs at ena.
