23 June 2026

On Monday 22 June 2026, as part of the Annual International Conference organized by the Athens Institute, a symposium titled “Future of Science: Education, Research, and Innovation” was held in Athens. The discussion took place at the 5^th Floor, 9 Chalkokondili Street, Athens, from 15:30-17:00. The program of the symposium is available at: www.atiner.gr/events/22June2026.pdf

The symposium was moderated by Timothy M. Young, Emeritus Professor, The University of Tennessee, USA & CEO and President, T.M. Young Institute, LLC, USA.

The session featured presentations by Caroline Barakat (Professor, Ontario Tech University, Canada); Cristiane Bernardo (Associate Professor, São Paulo State University, Brazil); Seher Nur Sulku (Professor, Ankara Hacı Bayram Veli University, Türkiye); Dimitrios Goulias (Associate Professor & Director of Undergraduate Studies, Civil & Environmental Engineering

Department, University of Maryland, USA); Virginia Sisiopiku (Professor, The University of Alabama at Birmingham, USA); and Sundaravalli Narayanaswami (Associate Professor, Indian Institute of Management Ahmedabad, India).

Interventions were delivered by Rainer Lehmann (Professor, Technical University of Applied Sciences Lübeck, Germany) and Ndakhona Bashingi (Lecturer, Cape Peninsula University of Technology, South Africa).

The discussion highlighted the evolving role of science in education, research, and innovation, focusing on interdisciplinary approaches, responsible and ethical AI, engineering transformation, research dissemination practices, and the broader societal impact of technological change. The exchange benefited from diverse international perspectives and encouraged dialogue on future challenges and opportunities in science and innovation.