COMMUNICATION & PRESS
The Computer Technology Institute and Press “Diophantus” (CTI), in cooperation with the Ministry of Education, Religious Affairs and Sports, welcomed on Monday, April 20, the President of the Republic of Estonia, Mr. Alar Karis, to the Innovation Centres National Coordination Hub, at CTI’s premises in Athens.
Mr. Karis was received by the Minister of Education, Religious Affairs and Sports of Greece, Ms. Sofia Zacharaki, the President of CTI “Diophantus”, Professor Dimitrios Serpanos, and the Scientific Coordinator of the Project and Vice President of CTI “Diophantus”, Professor Zacharoula Smyrnaiou.
During the visit, the President was accompanied by an official delegation, consisting of the Ambassador of Estonia to Greece, Ms. Karin Rannu, as well as officials from the Presidency of the Republic of Estonia, the Diplomatic Service, and the Embassy of Estonia.
The visit falls within the broader framework of strengthening European cooperation among countries in the field of educational innovation and the digital transformation of education systems. During the visit, the President of the Republic of Estonia and the members of the delegation were briefed by members of the Project Team on the operation of the national network of Innovation Centres, which are being developed across 13 Regional Directorates of Education of Greece in the country, as well as on the modern infrastructure and educational programs implemented within the framework of the project.
Attendees also had the opportunity to observe, learn about, and experience firsthand modern educational applications utilized in the Innovation Centres, such as:
- immersive Virtual and Augmented Reality (VR/AR) experiences,
- digital design and fabrication activities using 3D scanners and 3D printers,
- scientific inquiry activities using digital microscopes and modern STEM tools,
- demonstrations of advanced robotic systems, including the use of a bionic quadruped robot with an integrated robotic arm, with emphasis on applications in artificial intelligence, autonomy, and human–machine interaction,
- as well as activities utilizing sensors and Internet of Things (IoT) systems for the creation of smart learning environments.
The Innovation Centres across the 13 Regional Directorates of Education constitute an integrated learning ecosystem that connects education with cutting-edge technologies. Through experiential and interdisciplinary approaches, students are given the opportunity to develop 21st-century skills, while enhancing creativity, collaboration, and critical thinking.
The development of the Innovation Centres is aligned with European strategies for digital education, and in particular with the “Digital Education Action Plan 2021–2027,” while also being coordinated with OECD guidelines for innovation in education. It contributes to the achievement of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals by promoting a modern, inclusive, and sustainable model of learning through this project.
Within this framework, the potential for transferring know-how and best practices to other European countries is highlighted, contributing to the creation of a common European space for innovation and cooperation in education. The experience developed through the design and implementation of the Innovation Centres may serve as a reference point for knowledge transfer and for the development of similar initiatives, strengthening the convergence of European education systems toward a common, modern, and inclusive learning model.
Particular emphasis was placed on linking the Innovation Centres with European networks and initiatives, reinforcing Greece’s role as an active partner in shaping the future of education in Europe, especially in the fields of digital transformation and modern pedagogical approaches. The operational model of the Innovation Centres—combining physical infrastructure in the form of multiple learning spaces, digital services, and central coordination for the conduct of formal research and the implementation of model educational scenarios—constitutes an innovative approach with the potential for transfer and adaptation to other education systems.
The visit of the President of the Republic of Estonia confirms the importance of international cooperation and the exchange of know-how in the field of educational innovation and the digital transformation of education, further strengthening the prospects for cooperation between the two countries.
The action “Development of Innovation Centres in 13 Regional Directorates of Education” is implemented within the framework of the National Recovery and Resilience Plan “Greece 2.0,” funded by the European Union – NextGenerationEU Recovery and Resilience Facility.
