FORTH is rapidly reinforcing its position in the global Research & Innovation scene

OPINION:

The Foundation for Research and Technology Hellas (FORTH) is the premier multidisciplinary research institution of Greece, with eight diverse Institutes, and presence throughout the country. FORTH conducts frontier, internationally competitive research, and has significant expertise in cutting-edge technologies that are ushering in the new era of the 4th Industrial Revolution. “Nanotechnology, genetic engineering, the internet of things, artificial intelligence, and quantum computing, are some of the areas, where research pursued in FORTH’s laboratories has generated break-through technological advancements” explain Prof. Nektarios Tavernarakis, the Chairman of FORTH. It is indicative that, to date, 33 FORTH Researchers have been awarded highly competitive European Research Council (ERC) grants, securing more than 40 million for the Institution.

Over the less than 4 decades of its existence, FORTH has become the cradle of many successful spin-off companies, and productive international partnerships. To strengthen relationships with the private sector, FORTH created the PRAXI Network, a highly experienced and well-staffed Technology Transfer Unit. FORTH also operates, in its premises, the Science and Technology Park of Crete, an incubator of start-up companies that maintain close ties with the academia and research groups of the Institution. “This symbiosis nurtures a conducive science ecosystem that facilitates the close interaction of FORTH with leading US and international educational and business Institutions. Fostering this ’knowledge triangle’ has proven to be a prudent strategy towards boosting FORTH’s research and innovation capacity” said Prof. Tavernarakis.

According to a European Commission study, Crete (the location of FORTH’s headquarters) has a significant performance lead over other European regions in innovation, which continues to increase at a steady pace. Greece is an ideal place to do research, with the country’s untapped potential constantly attracting new investors. FORTH is rapidly reinforcing its position in the global Research & Innovation scene, while becoming a popular destination for digital nomads. “Our strategic plan is to maintain and enhance FORTH’s excellence, as well as, expand into emerging and exciting research fields. We aspire to attract more foreign investments, aiming to initiate new research activities. Investing in pioneering research conducted at FORTH is a wise strategy towards reaping enormous benefits for our collective future” Prof. Tavernarakis concluded.