Education Minister Giannakou, Technology Sec. Gen. Tsoukalas Will lead Diaspora Scientists Symposium June 11 in Chicago

CHICAGO, May 23 οΏ½Minister of National Education and Religious Affairs Marietta Giannakou and Secretary General for Research and Technology Yannis Tsoukalas, Ministry of Development, will lead the Diaspora Scientists Symposium that also includes as speakers leading Hellene Scientists. 

The Symposium οΏ½Nostos, Scientists, Technology οΏ½ A Vehicle for Economic Development in HellasοΏ½ will be held June 11 at the Drake Hotel in Chicago. In addition to their presentations, each speaker will participate in discussions that include participation of the audience.

οΏ½Our goal is to learn from Hellene Scientists what would attract them back to Hellas or encourage them to create links with Hellenic institutions,οΏ½ said World SAE President Andrew A. Athens. οΏ½We will explore the concept that scientific education and innovation create technological advancement which help in the economic development of the nation.οΏ½

Hellene scientists and entrepreneurs interested in high tech can receive details and register online through the website www.saeworld.org (click on Attention Scientists box). The tentative program of the symposium follows:

8:00am οΏ½ Registration
8:30am οΏ½ Opening Breakfast: οΏ½Ties that Bind οΏ½ Hellenic Economy& Scientific NostosοΏ½ *  Welcome by Andrew Athens, National Chairman, United Hellenic American Congress and President, World Council of Hellenes Abroad
*  Welcome to Chicago by Richard M. Daley, Mayor of Chicago
*  Brief Update on National Issues by Andy Manatos, Washington, DC
*  Overview / οΏ½An Ocean Apart: Challenges and Rewards in Re-connecting with GreeceοΏ½ by Dr. Leo Irakliotis, Associate Chairman, Computer Science Department, and Director, Professional Programs in Computer Science, University of Chicago;
Partner, Lambda Consultants, LLP
9:30am οΏ½ 12:30 pm οΏ½ Presentations
      
       Session 1:  οΏ½Science, Technology in Hellas TodayοΏ½ Opportunities in 
                  Education/Research and Investment 
     οΏ½Preparing the Scientist οΏ½ University Education and Innovation in HellasοΏ½
     by Minister of National Education Marietta Giannakou
 οΏ½Public Policy Enabling Technology and EnterpriseοΏ½ by Yannis Tsoukalas, 
 General Secretary for Research and Technology, Ministry of Development                          
  
10:15 am οΏ½ Session 2:  οΏ½Science-Technology TodayοΏ½ οΏ½ Transitioning from Research to  
      Opportunity
     οΏ½The ScientistsοΏ½ Role in the Advancement of SocietyοΏ½
     by Dr. Elias Gyftopoulos, Professor Emeritus, MIT
                  οΏ½Can We Develop a Hellenic Model?οΏ½ by Dr. Leo Irakliotis
οΏ½ Strategy for Technological Development In IllinoisοΏ½ by Ross Harano, Director,  State of Illinois Trade Office

11:15 am -   Break

11:30 am οΏ½ Session 3:  οΏ½Words of Advice - Successful Models from around the WorldοΏ½
οΏ½Learning from the PastοΏ½ by Dr. Constantine P. Tzanos, Nuclear Engineer, Argonne National Laboratory.                                      
οΏ½The Israeli ExperienceοΏ½ by Nakar Limor, Chicago Director, BIRD Foundation, former Commercial Attache, Consulate General of Israel
       οΏ½The Korean ExperienceοΏ½ by Representative of Consulate of Korea
 
12:45 pm οΏ½ Session 4:  Opinions, Comments, Suggestions from the floor.

1:30 pm οΏ½ Luncheon Program and Review of Recommendations
Keynote Speaker and Honored Guest:  Hon. Marietta Giannakou,
Minister of Education and Religious Affairs, Hellenic Republic
Awards: In Appreciation

3:15 pm οΏ½ 4:00 Summary of Proceedings  / Adjournment

Symposium Facilitator / Presentation of Summary of Proceedings,
Dr. George Alexopoulos, Board of Oakton Community College.