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highlights
M A Y - J U N E 2 0 0 5
The 2005 Bodossaki
Awards: A Distinction for
Greek Science Leaders
Four distinguished Greek scientists were honoured with the
Science Awards of the Bodossaki Foundation, which were
presented for the eighth time on June 15, 2005 during a
special event at the Grand Ceremony Hall of the University of
Athens. The President of the Hellenic Republic, Mr. Karolos
Papoulias, and the former President of the Republic, Mr.
Konstantinos Stefanopoulos, attended the ceremony. The
Awards were presented by the Assistant Dean of the
University of Athens, Professor Christos Kittas.
The aim of the Science Awards, which are presented every
two years, is to support the creative work of young Greek
scientists – up to 40 years old – who contribute to the
promotion of science and of the Greek spirit, both in Greece
and abroad, through outstanding achievements in their field.
The 2005 Science Awards of the Bodossaki Foundation,
worth 20,500 Euro each, were awarded to the following
scientists:
a) Paschalis V. Alexandridis, Professor of the Department of
Chemical & Biological Engineering at the State University of
New York, Buffalo, in the field of Applied Exact Sciences
(branch: Micro- and Nano-Science and Technology),
b) Pavlos Z. Eleftheriadis, Lecturer at the Law School of the
University of Oxford, in the field of Social Sciences (branch:
Legal Science),
c) Nektarios N. Tavernarakis, Researcher at the Institute of
Molecular Biology & Biotechnology of Crete, in the field of
Biomedical Sciences (branch: Neuroscience),
d) Dimitrios S. Psaltis, Assistant Professor at the Physics
Department of the University of Arizona, in the field of
Exact Sciences (branch: Astrophysics).
Hellenic Centre
for Marine Research:
60th Anniversary of
Marine Science in Greece
A series of events organised by the Hellenic Centre for
Marine Research (HCMR) took place from 18 May to 9 June
2005, in Athens, Crete and Rhodes, in order to celebrate 60
years of marine research in Greece. The events aimed to
present the research and technological achievements of the
Centre to the wider public, as well as to make younger
school age pupils aware of issues related to the marine
environment.
HCMR is a multi-site organisation created to integrate
government-funded marine science research in Greece. The
present structure consists of five institutes: the Institute of
Oceanography, the Institute of Aquaculture, the Institute of
Marine Biological Resources, the Institute of Inland Waters
and the Institute of Marine Biology & Genetics.
It also enjoys top-level scientific support from its two research
vessels, the RV AEGAO and RV PHILIA, from its state-of-the-
art 2-man submersible THETIS as well as two deepwater
ROVs named MAX ROVER and SUPER ACHILLES.
Moreover, HCMR is responsible for the Rhodes Aquarium
and the Aquarium in Crete, a unique park expected to be
completed in September 2005. CretAquarium is among the
most modern facilities focused on science, education, culture
and recreation. Through interpretive graphics, interactive
techniques and modern multimedia equipment, the general
public will have a memorable learning experience on the
Mediterranean marine environment.
According to the President/Director of HCMR, Professor
G.T.Chronis, marine research in Greece has shown great
progress in the last 60 years. The current data confirm the
leading position of Greek marine research in the East
Mediterranean and Black Sea areas.
Bodossaki Foundation
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IRC Network celebrated ten years of successful operation
The European Innovation Relay Centre Network, the widest
network for technological cooperation worldwide, has
celebrated its 10th anniversary during the annual meeting of
its members, on 29 June 2005, in Brussels. During these 10
years of operation, the IRC Network, an initiative funded by
the European Commission that consists of 230 local offices in
33 European countries, has provided its services to more than
110.000 companies throughout Europe, mainly SMEs.
"Innovation is the key to opening the door to a brighter
economic future" said Mr Gunter Verheugen, Commission
Vice President, responsible for enterprise and industry policy.
"If we want to overcome Europe's current stagnation and
raise its capacity for growth, we have to reduce the gap
between the EU and the US in innovation performance.
Innovation Relay Centres (IRCs) have built up a very good
reputation since they were established ten years ago, with
many third countries looking to learn from the network".
πRCs Network
Hellenic Centre for Marine Research (HCMR)
