The Hellenic Mediterranean University (HMU), ex Technological Education Institute of Crete, has a history of about 40 years, that of the Technological Educational Institution of Crete, and offers high quality undergraduate and postgraduate studies in Informatics and Engineering Sciences, Health, Agriculture and Food, Economics and Management and Environment . HMU through its heritage is consistently valued as a leading among its peers in research and enjoys recognition for its direct contribution to the development of Crete and Greece. HMU’s Academic and Research staff has extensive scientific activities in collaboration with national and international research teams that have led to significant research results, on the one hand, and the development of innovative products with internationally recognition. HMU, through its legacy, is high ranked in Greece’s highest-ranked universities in research publications and records an impact index that exceeds the global average.

The above proves HMU’s excellent position in Research and Development (R&D) among Greek higher education institutions. The basic and applied Research at HMU focuses on cutting-edge research areas in engineering, health sciences, environmental and materials sciences, economics, and social sciences. Research at HMU is organized in Research Laboratories, each of which conducts basic and applied research, focusing on thematic areas as well as interdisciplinary thematic areas, developing novel products and providing services. The laboratories are equipped with state-of-the-art equipment and are staffed with specialized scientific and technical staff.

HMU systematically and actively seeks to exploit the results of the R&D projects either through patents, or by providing services and rights of use to national or international industries for specific products, or finally by concluding contracts for joint development of new products.

The newly established Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering of the School of Engineering of the HMU is an interdisciplinary research entity in the field of Basic and Applied Research that covers the geographical and thematic boundaries of many HMU schools. It incorporates activities of seven previously independent laboratories i.e., i) Laboratory of Energy and Photovoltaic Systems (LEPS), ii) Center of Materials Technology and Photonics (CEMATEP), iii) Laboratory of Applied and Interactive Computing (LATiCe), iv) Laboratory of Media, Networks and Communications, v) Intelligent Systems and Computer Architecture Lab (I.S.C.A. Lab), vi) Laboratory of Applied and Computational Mathematics, vii) Artificial Intelligence and Systems Engineering Lab (AISE).

The above labs coordinate their efforts to address complex challenges in the fields of Electrical and Computer Engineering. The research laboratories of the newly established Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering have international recognition for conducting high quality scientific research and for developing innovative applications in Electrical, Electronics, Nanotechnology, Information and Communication (ICT) products and services. The department hosts several postgraduate students, doctoral candidates and postdoctoral researchers. It has significant national and international research collaborations and has received significant funding for his research activities.

Website: https://www.hmu.gr/

Contact: Nikolas Vidakis (PhD)
Head of Group Natural Interactive Learning Games and Environments under the Artificial Intelligence and System Engineering Laboratory, Department of Electrical & Computer Engineering, School of Engineering
Hellenic Mediterranean University (HMU)
Stavromenos 71004 Heraklion Crete
Phone: +30 2810379892, E-mail: nv@hmu.gr, Skype Id.: nikolas.vidakis https://nile.hmu.gr/en/staff/

The Institute of Computer Science (ICS) is one of the eight institutes of the Foundation for Research and Technology - Hellas (FORTH), a major national research centre partly funded by the General Secretariat for Research and Technology of the Hellenic Ministry of Development and Investments. The mission of FORTH-ICS is to perform high quality basic and applied research, to promote education and training, and to contribute to the development of the Information Society, at a regional, national, and European level. Since its establishment in 1983, FORTH-ICS has had a long history and recognized tradition in conducting basic and applied research, and playing a leading role, in Greece and internationally, in the field of Information and Communication Technologies.

FORTH-ICS

1. Has achieved excellence by establishing a balance among its various activities, and in particular: (i) basic and applied research, (ii) development of large scale applications exploiting the results of research, (iii) development of products and services, (iv) cooperation with other research institutions and the private sector, (v) participation in national and European research and development projects, as well as in collaborative projects with industry.
2. Is highly competitive at an international level, and many of its activities are carried out in the context of European collaborative research and development projects, which emphasize the development of Information Society Technologies and infrastructures in a number of domains of national importance and regional interest.
3. Is a protagonist in the sector of Information and Communication Technologies in Greece. Its activities cover important research and development topics in the framework of the emerging Information Society.
4. Contributes to the economic, social and technological development of the Region of Crete through international collaborative activities and, in particular, through its participation in programmes addressing the South-East Mediterranean area. In this effort, FORTH-ICS collaborates closely with local authorities and organizations.
5. Places special emphasis on education and training, by providing a significant number of scholarships to undergraduate and postgraduate students and by training numerous professionals in cutting-edge Information and Communication Technologies.

Laboratories, Programmes & Departments

FORTH-ICS comprises laboratories, each of which conducts basic and applied research in thematic areas in the field of Information and Communication Technologies. The Laboratories of FORTH-ICS are staffed with specialised scientific and technical personnel and possess state of-the-art equipment. Activities cover important research and development areas, taking into consideration new perspectives, emerging fields of research and technological challenges worldwide.

Besides its laboratories, FORTH-ICS has established horizontal interdisciplinary Research and Development Programmes in the domains of Ambient Intelligence and Information Security. These Programmes constitute connecting threads for the activities of the individual laboratories and provide opportunities for defining interesting new problems. Additionally, FORTH-ICS has four departments which are focused on providing specialised services. In the context of its Ambient Intelligence Programme, FORTH-ICS is creating a large-scale, state-of-the-art Ambient Intelligence Facility, unique of its kind, which will act as a research nexus for studying and developing, under a human-centred perspective, related technologies, and for assessing their impact on the individual, as well as on the society as a whole.

The continuous effort of improving the quality of our work has led FORTH-ICS in certifying our research activities alongside with products and services provided, according to the requirements set by ISO 9001:2000 quality management standard.

Website: https://www.ics.forth.gr/

Contact: Magdalini Chatzaki
Τμήμα Συστημάτων και Δικτύων, Ινστιτούτο Πληροφορικής, Ίδρυμα Τεχνολογίας και Έρευνας (ΙΤΕ)
Nikolaou Plastira 100, Vassilika Vouton, GR-700 13 Heraklion, Crete, Greece
Phone: +30 28103911458, Email: magda@ics.forth.gr

The Ephorate of Antiquities of Lassithi has its seat in Agios Nikolaos and territorial jurisdiction over the Regional Unit of Lassithi, which includes the Municipalities of Agios Nikolaos, Lassithi Plateau, Sitia and Ierapetra.

The objectives of the Ephorate of Antiquities of Lassithi are:

1. The scientific research, the discovery, the preservation, the protection, the promotion of the antiquities dating from the Prehistoric times to 1830, as well as, of newer religious monuments from 1830 onwards,their exhibition in the Museums that belong to it, as well as the participation in exhibitions at home and abroad. In addition, the study, planning, management and execution of any archaeological project of maintenance, repair, restoration, highlighting and shaping of monuments and archaeological sites under its jurisdiction, as well as, their immediate natural or non-natural environment, the execution of all the above projects with self-supervision and reports in accordance with the legal provisions in force.
2. The care for the scientific study and publication of the antiquities, the management of the monuments, the archeological sites, the museums and the collections, the spatial responsibility, which belong to the State, the participation in international and European programs, the organization and the participation in workshops, conferences, seminars and educational activities on issues related to the responsibilities of the Ephorate, as well as, the production of conventional and digital publications and educational material.Η Εφορεία Αρχαιοτήτων Λασιθίου έχει έδρα τον Άγιο Νικόλαο και χωρική αρμοδιότητα την Περιφερειακή Ενότητα Λασιθίου, η οποία περιλαμβάνει τους Δήμους Αγίου Νικολάου, Οροπεδίου Λασιθίου, Σητείας και Ιεράπετρας.

Website: https://www.culture.gov.gr/el/ministry/SitePages/viewyphresia.aspx?iID=1709

Contact: Daphne Chronaki, Head of Department of Archaeological Works and Studies
Archeological Museum of Agios Nikolaos,
Constantinou Palaiologou 74, 721 00, Agios Nikolaos, Crete, Greece
Phone: +30 2841028361, +30 2841090511, Fax: +30 2841025115, Email: dchronaki@culture.gr

Sitia is a picturesque town, built in an amphitheatre shape beside the sea in the Gulf of Sitia.Our town is situated on the north-eastern edge of Crete. It has a population of 9000 inhabitants and it is economically and administratively the centre of its own Province. Sitia includes an airport, and a shipping port with connections to Piraeus and the islands of the South-East Agean. Sitia is well known for its clean beaches with rich sand, many awarded the distinction of Blue Flag status. The people of our town are welcoming to visitors and are always ready to celebrate in true Cretan style. Sitia is famous also for its excellent wine.

The economy of the area has traditionally been based on agriculture although produce is often sparse due to the stony and mountainous terrain. Nowadays, thanks to government subsidies, the economy is growing in many directions. Collective farming promises new economic development and the improved packaging and marketing of Sitia produce has led to a steady increase in exports. The local authorities actively encourage all types of development especially in the fields of industry, commerce and construction. Tourism has expanded rapidly in the last few years with a range of hotels from economy to luxury. Important future sources of wealth for the area could be the archaelogical sites which are constantly being unearthed, the well-organized and environmentally-friendly use of the many sites of natural beauty and the maintenance of the traditional character of Sitian life.

Website: https://www.sitia.gr/

Contact: Vaggelis Perakis, Agronomist
Alekou Panagouli 1 Sitia, 723 00
Phone: +30 2843341202, Email: perakisv@sitia.gr

Troodos Development Company LTD is non-profit company without share capital. It is an approved Local Action Group, implementing the Local Development Strategy of the Local Leader Agriculture Program for the Troodos region, for the programming periods 2007-2013 and 2014-2020. During the previous programming periods, since 2009, the Company implements programs from the European Regional Development Fund (Interreg Greece-Cyprus, Interreg Mediterranean etc.) and from the European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development (LEADER Agriculture). At the same time, since 2015, by decision of the Council of Ministers, it has been designated as the Managing Authority of the Troodos UNESCO Global Geopark and the Visitor Center housed in the old Asbestos mine in Pano Amiantos.

In addition, with continuous education and training of its staff (Accountant, Economist, Civil Engineer, Geologist, Agronomist, Rural Development Consultant), and with a network of experienced external partners (Universities, consulting companies, etc.), it provides consulting services to Individuals and Local Governmen. Specifically, the Company undertakes: Consulting services on public procurement (preparation of documents for the Contracting Authority, receipt of offers, unsealing of offers and evaluation, preparation of evaluation report, preparation of letters of rejection and award of tenders, preparation of Contracts between them), feasibility studies, technical studies, preparation of applications for projects co-financed by the European Structural and Investment Funds (ESIF) and the European fund for rural development (EAFRD), consulting and agricultural services and any other services regarding tourism, agriculture, marketing and distribution of agricultural products, etc.

The geographical area of ​​intervention brings together the sub-regions of Marathasa, Solea, Koumandarochoria, Limassol Mountain Resorts, South and North Pitsilia and finally Krasochoria-Ampelochoria. In total, our company has 84 registered members (63 Community councils and 21 private entities).

In recent years, the Company has been active in the field of Education and Training Programs and in 2018 was approved by ANAD, as a Vocational Training Center, and has two (2) approved rooms as Vocational Training Structures. ANET's main concern is the establishment of the Troodos area as a single administrative area with financial independence and the provision of quality services for the implementation of projects to Individuals and Local Authorities.

Website: https://www.anetroodos.org/

Contact: Petros Hatzicostas, Director
Consultan for agriculturan development / Economist
Archiepiskopou Makariou III 62, 2827, Galata
Phone: 22952043, 99818980, Fax: 22952045, Email: info@anetroodos.com, ph@anetroodos.com

Frederick Research Center (FRC) is a leading research non-profit organization in Cyprus. It was established in 1995 in order to create a solid foundation for the development of scientific research activities of Cypriot and foreign scientists. FRC main goals are:

• to promote scientific research and science in general and to undertake and conduct research of basic and applied nature in various domains
• to offer consulting services to individuals, business, organizations and the government
• to encourage participation in research projects and development of research proposal
• to coordinate and participate in the implementation of research projects and
• to establish collaborations with other national and international research Centers and universities for the execution of research work.

FRC engages highly qualified academic / research staff with long experience in implementing independent and high caliber research and with rich publications record in peer-reviewed scientific journals. Numerous research projects have been carried out through FRC and part of their results have been presented in international scientific conferences, contributing to the dissemination and technology transfer. To facilitate this, FRC has a modern contemporary lab infrastructure and a Library with access to hundreds of relevant scientific, technology and business journals.

Furthermore, among the main aims of the Center is to support (financially or otherwise) students and researchers as well as to support the publication of books, reports and journals. To this end, the Center has close collaborations with Frederick University (FU) and Frederick Institute of Technology and often involves faculty members and students in project work and proposals.

In addition, FRC staff has developed closed collaboration with several public authorities, corporations, nonprofit organizations, universities and other educational institutes in Cyprus and abroad. The participation and involvement of research personnel in these collaborative networks ensures the increase of external funding for research projects at the Center.

Research Work FRC encourages the “Bottom-up” approach for development of ideas and therefore the projects implemented under FRC cover a broad range of research interests. Since the start of its operation, FRC has been involved in more than 50 externally funded research projects, in the majority of which as a lead partner, as well as numerous smaller consulting and self funded projects. Although a significant amount of projects concerned the domains of science and technology, the Center has also been and is keen to get involved in research relevant to Environment, Education, Management & Economics and Social Sciences.

An indication of the Research work at FRC can be obtained from the list of most recent projects below, categorized in the following Thematic Areas:

• Applied Sciences & Engineering
• Materials Sciences & Applications
• Energy
• Sustainable Development & Environment
• Medical Technology & Public Health
• Social Sciences & Economics
• Education.

Website: https://www.frederick.ac.cy/the-frederick-research-center

Contact: Nicolas-George Eliades, PhD, Senior Researcher
7, Filokyprou St. Pallouriotissa 1036, Nicosia, Cyprus
Phone: +357 22394394, ext.: 42122, Fax: +357 22349555, Email: res.en@frederick.ac.cy