Eugenides Foundation
Ίδρυμα Ευγενίδου
The Eugenides Foundation, through its ceaseless and multidimensional contribution to the Greek society as a non-profit, public benefit institution, is a strong scientific, educational, and cultural pole, contributing to the promotion of scientific and technological issues, and aiming to advance applied technical professions, with an emphasis on maritime education. The Foundation offers a range of activities, which include the writing and publication of educational books for the Greek technical and vocational education, the operation of numerous interactive applied science exhibits, as well as scientific laboratories and experimental demonstrations. It also has an up-to-date scientific and technical library, modern conference facilities for hosting conferences and events, as well as one of the largest and best planetariums in the world. The Eugenides Foundation has been a strategic partner of the Greek State in maritime education and other maritime issues, monitoring developments and planning the new directions that Greek maritime industry needs.
Simultaneously, almost all of the Foundation’s activities contribute to turning young Greeks towards technical applied professions, most of which find application in the blue economy. Furthermore, the Foundation has developed activities in the direction of determining the “blue professions” that are required with priority, as well as the number of corresponding executives that are necessary for the Greek economy, focusing on the maritime/island sector.
In this context, the Eugenides Foundation has signed a memorandum of cooperation with the Ministry of Maritime Affairs and Insular Policy, through which it became the institutional partner of the Ministry for the promotion of the blue economy, especially its implementation to the island regions of the country. This cooperation includes the undertaking of joint actions and initiatives to promote technological innovation and facilitate the diffusion of new ideas and methods in the blue economy sectors, which include shipping, maritime transport, port activities, shipbuilding, coastal tourism, marine renewable energy sources, aiming at a sustainable and resilient blue economy, in which environmental protection will go hand in hand with economic activities.
In the context of this cooperation, the following activities of the Foundation are mentioned indicatively:
- Support of research and studies, aiming at the development of maritime technology and the production of sustainable technological solutions for the maritime community, with energy, environmental and social added value, and an emphasis on the “green transition” in shipping.
- Development of collaborations with educational institutions to improve and strengthen their educational curricula in maritime technology and in the emerging blue professions in general, according to the priorities dictated by the development planning.
- Creation of “bridges” of communication and collaborations between the scientific and business worlds of shipping, the shipbuilding industry and other industries related to the blue professions, with more direct application in the island regions.
- Building stronger collaborations with all parties involved in the blue economy (international organizations, public administration representatives, business bodies and educational institutions) and organizing relevant supporting actions.
- Implementation of information and outreach activities aiming to highlight the importance of maritime technology and other emerging blue professions for coastal and island regions and the national economy in general.