Examining the Impact of Higher Education Reforms on Tech Sector Investment and Employment

Highlights from the Fourth Thessaloniki Metropolitan Summit 

At the Fourth Thessaloniki Metropolitan Summit, our professor, Kostas Axarloglou, participated in a compelling panel discussion alongside notable figures such as Dimitris Papastergiou, Greece's Minister of Digital Governance; Iasonas Antonopoulos, Head of Vodafone Business Products and CEO of Vodafone Innovus; Pavlos Kitsanelis, Public Sector Lead for Microsoft Greece, Cyprus, and Malta; Panayiotis Ketikidis, President of the Board of Directors at Alexander Innovation Zone (AIZ); and Nikos Efthymiadis, Chairman & CEO of Thess INTEC - Thessaloniki Innovation & Technology Center. During this session, professor Axarloglou provided a thorough analysis of how reforms in Greece's higher education system are poised to affect investment and employment in the tech sector.

In his address, he highlighted that technology serves as a primary engine for economic growth and prosperity, with its success heavily reliant on the availability of human capital that possesses specialized and adaptable expertise. According to the professor, the recent deregulation of higher education in Greece presents a unique opportunity to enhance the country’s academic landscape. The reforms allow for the inclusion of more higher education institutions, both public and private, and grant existing universities greater autonomy. This autonomy will position them to innovate in both research and education, while also fostering partnerships with key community stakeholders such as tech companies, innovation hubs, and research centers.

He elaborated on the importance of technology in the current “Knowledge Economy,” emphasizing that its success hinges on three key pillars: educated human capital with specific and evolving expertise, a strong infrastructure to support this, and an ecosystem of stakeholders—ranging from companies and innovation hubs to research centers and social networks—that enables the development and implementation of new technologies.

He stressed that the human capital needed for the tech sector must not only have specific expertise but also possess a mindset geared towards continuous learning, as technological advancements require adaptability. Higher education institutions play a pivotal role in shaping this talent, but they cannot do it alone. Collaboration with companies and other stakeholders is essential to create vibrant learning ecosystems that prepare individuals for the challenges of the tech industry.

He concluded that the deregulation of higher education in Greece is a significant step toward fostering greater innovation in education. This move will allow institutions to align more closely with the evolving needs of the tech sector, helping to develop specialized talent and ultimately driving growth in investment and employment opportunities within the industry. The event as a whole showcased the vital collaboration between education, government, and the private sector in shaping the future of technology and innovation in Greece.

Watch the panel discussion, here: