Dr. Constantinos Papadias, Executive Director of the Research, Technology & Innovation Network (RTIN), Scientific Director of the ACG Research Center (ACG-RC) and Professor of Information Technology at Deree and Alba, participated in an online discussion entitled “Innovation as a Driving Force for Greek-American Relations.” The discussion was part of a series of online events in the context of the ELIAMEP Research Program “Greek-American Economic Relations and the Future of the Greek Economy,” organized with the support of the U.S. Embassy in Athens.

Dr. Papadias was one of the invited speakers who discussed the importance of American technological investments for the Greek national economy and close Greek-American collaboration in innovation. Geoffrey R. Pyatt, U.S. Ambassador to the Hellenic Republic, gave the welcoming remarks.

Dr. Papadias discussed how the ACG 150 plan is leveraging educational programs for economic and social impact as well as consolidating, supporting and expanding ACG’s activities in performing research, creating technology and fostering innovation. ACG is providing a unique environment for promoting research, innovation and technology development and transfer through the RTIN.

Dr. Papadias commented how Greek startups are intricately linked to the U.S. through capital funding, academic partnerships and investment opportunities. Due to the pandemic, the employment paradigm has changed and employees are working remotely across time zones. Greece is an attractive destination for U.S. companies since it’s a safe, stable environment with talented and educated workers.

In the last few years, the whole infrastructure in Greece has improved and we can work in many domains remotely. This makes the country an attractive destination, especially for Greeks from the diaspora who have moved back to Greece during the pandemic without changing their job status. We should expect more of this trend in the future.

If you would like to watch the discussion, please click here.