The Rector of the University of Thessaly, Professor Charalambos Billinis, held a meeting at the Gaiopolis campus in Larissa with the General Directors of Industrial Associations, on Thursday, September 26. The meeting aimed to strengthen collaboration between academia and industry, bridging the gap between academic research and business practice.
Attending the meeting were key figures from both academic and business sectors. Alongside Rector Billinis, Professor Chrysi Laspidou, Vice-Chancellor for Innovation, Internationalization, Partnerships, and Digital Governance, and Head of the UTH Innovation - Technology Transfer Unit and Entrepreneurship Center "One Planet Thessaly", provided valuable insights into the role of universities in driving innovation.
Representing the industrial side were General Directors Elena Kamateri, Vassilis Kletsoyiannis, Katerina Ripopoulou, and Dr. Giorgos Xirogiannis, who was accompanied by executives Viki Makrygiannis, Director, and Eleftheria Roma, Senior Advisor of the Department of International Relations & Regional Development.
The discussion centered on fostering a deeper connection between the University of Thessaly and local businesses, with a shared goal of utilizing academic knowledge and research to benefit society. Professor Laspidou outlined the pillars of the university’s modernization efforts and proposed new synergies for innovation and technology transfer.
The participants explored possibilities for collaboration, aiming to create a framework where knowledge can flow from the university to the business world, enriching both. The outcome of the meeting is expected to bolster research, enhance entrepreneurship, and drive regional development across Thessaly and Central Greece.
This initiative reflects the University’s commitment to contributing to societal progress through research-driven partnerships and knowledge exchange.
