Aristotle Innovation Forum Brings Innovation, Science and Education to the Forefront 

This week-long event was dedicated to dialogue on innovation, technology, science and the future of education. The Forum transformed the city of Thessaloniki into an international meeting point for academia, entrepreneurship, technology and society, bringing together distinguished speakers, researchers, students and representatives of institutions and organisations from Greece and abroad. 

The event was held under the auspices of His Excellency the President of the Hellenic Republic, Mr Konstantinos An. Tasoulas. The Forum was organised with the support of the Greek Ministry of Education, Religious Affairs and Sports, the Municipality of Thessaloniki, and the Region of Central Macedonia. The Thessaloniki International Fair was a strategic partner, and Public Power Corporation (DEI) and Piraeus Bank were major sponsors of the event.  

The Aristotle Innovation Forum is not just a university event; it aims to become a platform for knowledge, technology, culture, and dialogue about future societies. The Forum´s vision is to boost confidence in Greece´s ability to generate knowledge, promote innovation, attract talent, and establish globally influential institutions. 

Throughout the week, the Forum featured hundreds of discussions, lectures, workshops, exhibitions, and cultural activities. Highlights included a series of round-table discussions organised by the Vice-Rectorate for Academic Affairs and Development. These discussions focused on the key priorities of the European Higher Education Area and the European Universities Initiative, with a strong emphasis on the role of the EPICUR Alliance. 

On 18 May 2026, discussions covered topics such as “European Universities and Institutional Transformation”, “Quality Assurance and Student-Centred Higher Education”, “Student Mobility at the Core of European Higher Education”, and “Sustainability and Green Transition in European Universities”. On 21 May, the Forum continued with sessions dedicated to “Learning Pathways: An EPICUR Innovation” and “Micro-credentials and Flexible Learning Pathways”, highlighting innovative educational models, flexible curricula and the future of lifelong learning in Europe. 

These discussions brought together representatives from EPICUR partner institutions, European Universities Alliances and higher education networks, including Jean Marc Planeix (Strategic Director of EPICUR, University of Strasbourg), Marián Morón and Laura López de la Cruz (Pablo de Olavide University, Seville), Martin H. Daumiller (University of Freiburg), Alice Caron-Radmacher (University of Strasbourg), Valeria Constantino (University of Naples Federico II) and João Bacelar (European University Foundation). 

The remarkable success of the first Aristotle Innovation Forum emphasised the increasing importance of Aristotle University of Thessaloniki as an active European university committed to innovation, openness and meaningful international collaboration. With strong participation from EPICUR partners and an interdisciplinary programme, the Forum highlighted the importance of transnational cooperation in shaping a more interconnected, sustainable and student-centred European Higher Education landscape. 

The next Aristotle Innovation Forum is scheduled to take place in May 2027. The event continues the organisers ambition to establish Thessaloniki as a leading international hub for innovation, education, and dialogue. 

Further information and the full programme are available on the link:

click here.