Meet the partners!
University of Crete
Established in 1973, the University of Crete (UoC) is a young public educational institution sited in a region rich in ancient and modern Mediterranean cultures. Currently, there are around 20,000 undergraduate and graduate registered students, around 450 faculty members, as well as around 300 technical and administrative staff. UoC is located in the cities of Heraklio and Rethymno and has a total of 16 Departments. The School of Sciences & Engineering and the School of Medicine are located in Heraklio, while the School of Philosophy, School of Education, and School of Social Sciences are located in Rethymno.
The University’s international orientation is reflected in its track record of collaborations with many of the leading research and educational institutions in Europe and worldwide, as well as active promotion of mobility and exchange programmes. Research and research training at all levels benefits also from the de facto regional cluster of research institutions i.e. the Foundation for Research and Technology-Hellas (FORTH), the Institute of Marine Biology, Biotechnology & Aquaculture (IMBBC), the University General Hospital (PagNi) as well as the other higher education institutes in Crete.
“The Computer Science Department (CSD) was founded in 1983 and belongs to the School of Sciences and Engineering. CSD has developed and implemented a modern curriculum that touches upon a multitude of technological and theoretical issues. It has a strong research orientation, provides an excellent environment for education, enjoys international recognition, and has collaborations with academic and research institutions worldwide, as well as with the industry/private sector.”
Website: https://www.uoc.gr , https://csd.uoc.gr
Contact: Marios Pitikakis, PhD, Teaching Staff
Email: pitikakis@csd.uoc.gr
ECAM-EPMI
ECAM-EPMI is a Graduate School of Electrical Engineering created in 1992 by 4 major industrial groups : EDF, Philips, PSA and Schneider. With about 800 students, 150 apprentices, 50 teachers and staff members, ECAM-EPMI is recognized by the French state and accredited to award Engineering Degrees by the CTI (National Commission for Engineering Degrees). ECAM-EPMI is accredited to award graduate and Masters-level engineering degrees, recognized by the State, holder of the EESPIG label.
Students are trained in general engineering principals in cutting edge sectors: Smart Cities, Renewable Energies, Automation, Electrical Engineering, Information Technologies and Communications, Supply Chain Management. Courses are designed to reflect the industry’s needs, thanks to the School’s strong culture of cooperation with companies. The usage of the ECTS system facilitates student mobility.The research and teaching activities are organized in the framework of a scientific direction with significant human and material resources, research platforms and labs covering various domains including:
Energy and Smart Cities (smart grids, renewables, energy production, …).
Mechatronics & Embedded Systems (hybrid vehicles, embedded energy, …).
Manufacturing & Green Logistics (smart mobility, urban transportation, supply chain, …).
ECAM-EPMI is evaluated as R4E (recognized for excellence) by the EFQM (European Foundation for Quality Management).
Website: www.ecam-epmi.fr
Contact: Rafik Absi
Email: r.absi@ecam-epmi.com
Cyprus Computer Society
The Cyprus Computer Society (CCS) is a professional and independent not-for-profit organization, seeking to improve and promote high standards amongst informatics professionals, in recognition of the impact that informatics has on employment, business, society as well as on the quality of life of the citizen.
Through the advancement of IT Science and good practice our organization promotes wider social and economic progress, bringing together industry, academics, practitioners and government to share knowledge, promote new thinking, inform the design of new curricula, shape public policy and inform the public.
As the Body of Computer Science and IT Professionals, the CCS is engaged in a range of activities, expresses its views on behalf of its members to the National Authorities on IT strategic issues and engages in European and other projects by developing multi-stakeholder co-operations with the academic community, government, public, private and non-governmental organizations.
The CCS was founded in 1984 and today with the high quality level of the services it offers to its (more than 1200) members, the IT community and the society, the CCS has become the trust-worthy reference point of IT in Cyprus.
Website: www.ccs.org.cy
Contact: Andreas Loutsios, Vice-President
Email: loutsios@cytanet.com.cy
Politeknika Ikastegia Txorierri S.COOP
Politeknika Ikastegia Txorierri was founded in 1979 with the commitment to provide its socio-economic environment with an educational offer of the highest quality at the High School and Vocational Training levels.
Politeknika Ikastegia Txorierri has an accumulated experience in international project management. Since 1999 the center has participated in several European projects: Leonardo and Erasmus+ KA1 Mobility for students and teachers, and in different LdV TOI and Erasmus+ KA2 projects both as a contractor and as a partner.
Politeknika Txorierri is also a member of Ikastolen Elkartea, a network of 91 schools that provide from primary to postsecondary education in the Basque language, 52 of these schools are located in the Basque Country and the others in the South of France. Politeknika Txorierri operates as a Cooperative and forms part of the Mondragon Group with a strong emphasis on community and cooperative ethics. The Mondragon Group (http://www.mondragon-corporation.com/) is a business group made up of 289 companies and entities and 15 Technology Centres.
Since 2013, The Politeknika is also an associated member of the neighboring Science and Technology Park of Bizkaia (http://www.parque-tecnologico.es/) and has collaboration agreements with key business and industrial clusters in the Basque Country which permits close collaboration between businesses and the college. Several projects are in place in the Politeknika in which the college offers innovation support and infrastructures to SMEs in the region.
Politeknika Txorierri has a strong embedded quality culture. The centre was the first VET school in Bizkaia to earn the Golden Q Award for quality management in 2005 based on the EQFM Quality Model. Politeknika Txorierri is a member of three different European networks: 1- INNOTECS, network of Technical VET schools and colleges. 2- DLearn (European Digital Learning Network). 3- EfVET (European Federation of VET providers) network. EfVET has over 200 members in almost all the EU member states; also, members in Turkey and Russia. It is able to reach out to over 1500 VET institutions across Europe. This European network also has direct links to other European organizations including Lifelong Learning Platform, EAEA, EUCEN and CSR Europe.
Website: www.txorierri.net
Contact: Jesús Ángel Orbe, Managing Director
Email: international@txorierri.net
National Center For Scientific Research “Demokritos”
The National Center for Scientific Research “Demokritos” (N.C.S.R. “Demokritos”) is the largest multidisciplinary research center in Greece, with critical mass in expertise and infrastructure in the fields of Nanotechnology, Energy & Environment, Biosciences, Particle and Nuclear Science, Informatics and Telecommunications.
The Center was inaugurated in 1961 as a state-owned entity under the name Nuclear Research Center “Demokritos”, following the coming into operation of the nuclear reactor research facility. The development of the nuclear reactor introduced a cutting-edge technology to Greece, signifying a major turning point in the development of large-scale research infrastructures and the first step towards the establishment of a national Research and Technology policy.
In 1985, it has been renamed as National Center for Scientific Research “Demokritos” and became an autonomous Legal Entity of Public Law supervised by the General Secretariat for Research and Technology (GSRT), while preserving its administrative and financial independence.
The N.C.S.R. “Demokritos” conducts world-class basic and applied research, for advancing scientific knowledge and promoting technological development in selected areas of national socio-economic interest. The Center also plays a pivotal role in graduate education and professional training and its unique infrastructure is employed for high-technology services to the Industry and the Society.
The N.C.S.R. “Demokritos” has contributed significantly and in many ways to:
– The advancement and world-wide recognition of the Hellenic research activity
– The development, diffusion and transfer of high quality know-how to public and private sectors
– The reversal of high-caliber scientific brain drain
– The provision of highly qualified research personnel to the Greek academic community as well as to the Greek Industry
Research activities are currently coordinated by five (5) Research Institutes:
– Institute of Informatics & Telecommunications
– Institute of Biosciences & Applications
– Institute of Nuclear & Radiological Sciences & Technology, Energy & Safety
– Institute of Nanoscience and Nanotechnology
– Institute of Nuclear & Particle Physics
Website: www.demokritos.gr
Contact: Athanasios Drigas, Researcher Director
Email: dr@iit.demokritos.gr
Emphasys Centre
The Emphasys Centre, was established in 1998, and operates as an Education, ICT Training Centre and Research Centre approved by the Cyprus Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports and Youth. It is staffed with a strong team of professionals which includes experts in ICT, Psychology, Sociology, Education, Law, Economics, Business, Human Rights, Languages, Communication, Architecture and Graphic Design. Emphasys offers its services to a diverse portfolio of public and private organizations, as well as professionals and individuals from all ages and backgrounds.
It’s organized in 4 inter-related departments. The Education Department which offers validated and accredited IT courses, such as the GCE A’ Level Computer Science for students entering HEIs or the European Computer Driving License (ECDL) for professionals, while providing Career Counseling Services.
The ICT Training Department includes two fully equipped units: the STEAM Unit and the EU Training Unit. The EU Unit focuses on the provision of a wide selection of Erasmus+ KA1 Learning Mobility Courses for EU professionals and citizens. The STEAM Unit is fully equipped with high tech tools in order to offer project-driven related courses to young people combining Robotics, 3D Design and Printing using the Craftbot+ 3D Printer, and Coding through Video Game design using state of the art Virtual Reality Headsets such as the Oculus Rift S guided with ‘Lego Education Trainer’ instructors. Most of the courses follow the 4C approach of Lego Education “Connect – Construct – Contemplate – Continue” where learners are presented with a challenge that is open-ended which places them in the position of solution-seekers.
The Research Department works with several organizations on EU projects under a number of funds (e.g. Erasmus, AMIF, AAL) in the field of education and training while also providing managerial support for EU projects to schools and NGOs. Over the years it has built a strong local and international network, utilized in the promotion of EU projects and initiatives.
The Software Development Department is involved in the design, development, pilot-testing and evaluation of various e-learning tools, platforms, websites, applications and assessment portals etc. based on the needs of the various project being implemented by the organization.
Emphasys is a member of the European Digital Learning Network (DLEARN) together with 25 other organizations from Europe aiming to promote the digital agenda of Europe and part of the consulting group for the Digital Agenda of Cyprus.
Website: www.emphasyscentre.com
Contact: Athos Charalambides, Director
Email: info@emphasyscentre.com
Regional Directorate for Primary and Secondary Education of Attica
The Regional Directorate for Primary and Secondary Education of Attica (RDPSΕA) is the Independent Directorate for Administrative, Financial and Pedagogical Support of Attica, responsible for the coordination, the supervision and the implementation of education policy in the region of Attica, involving around 55.000 active teachers and about 500.000 students.
RDPSEA is responsible for pre-primary education, primary, secondary and post-secondary (VET level 3). At the same time, it contributes to the shaping of education policy, tailoring it to match the specific requirements of the region.
Apart from regular administrative school issues, RDPSEA monitors, coordinates, controls and supervises the work of 14 Primary and Secondary Education Directorates, 13 Centres of Educational and Counselling Support, 6 Regional Centres for Educational Planning, 4 Environmental Education Centres and 20 Educational Coordinators of Refugee and Migrants students.
RDPSEA’s pedagogical strategy embraces school entities and stakeholders in its regional area through initiatives which are implemented at research and school level under participatory techniques. Initiatives, among others, include thematic priorities, pedagogical and ICT support for schools, professional development for teachers, and students’ skills reinforcement. RDPSEA participates and/or coordinates workshops, seminars and conferences in collaboration with the Ministry of Education, other regional authorities and organisations directly affiliated with the school sector.
RDPSEA works towards creating a ‘whole-school approach’ which perceives schools as collaborative learning environments. The entire school community (school leaders, teaching and non-teaching staff, parents and families) together with external stakeholders undertake the responsibility to help all learners develop to the best of their abilities.
Website: www.pdeattikis.gr , www.pdeattikis.gr/EU
Contact: Dr. Georgios Kosyvas, Regional Director for Primary and Secondary Education of Attica
Email: grdntis@attik.pde.sch.gr
