İskeçe strengthens its position in research with two major infrastructure projects
The Greek city of İskeçe is expanding its research and innovation capacity with the inauguration of two upgraded facilities operated by the Athena Research Center, including a renovated neoclassical building in the Old Town and improvements to the centre’s campus in Kimmeria.
The facilities were officially inaugurated on Friday, October 23, 2026, in the presence of Stavros Kalafatis, Greece’s Deputy Minister of Development responsible for Research and Innovation, alongside regional and local officials and members of the research community.
The projects, each with a budget of just under €1 million, aim to improve research conditions, strengthen links between science and society, and create opportunities for education, entrepreneurship and technological development in the wider Thrace region.
RENOVATED BUILDING TO CONNECT RESEARCH WITH THE COMMUNITY
The restored neoclassical building on Pygmalionos Christidis Street in İskeçe’s Old Town houses the Athena Research Center’s Institute for Language and Speech Processing. The historic property is expected to serve as a hub for educational activities, public engagement, cultural initiatives and collaboration with businesses, including support for start-ups.
Athena Research Center President Professor Yannis Emiris said the building offered a rare opportunity to establish a research hub in the heart of a city, bringing researchers closer to residents, schools, universities and the business community.
The project also addresses longstanding infrastructure issues. According to Emiris, outstanding matters that had remained unresolved for more than a decade were addressed during the works. These included seating arrangements and the installation of photovoltaic systems, which can supply energy to the building and feed electricity into the grid.
The second project upgraded the surrounding grounds of the centre’s facilities at the university campus in Kimmeria, creating a more functional environment for research activities.
A TEAM OF AROUND 100 SPECIALISTS IN İSKEÇE
The Athena Research Center’s team in İskeçe currently comprises approximately 100 people, including researchers and administrative staff, according to Emiris.
The centre’s activities span several fields, including digital heritage, educational technologies, artificial intelligence and health research. Its work includes digital documentation of archaeological sites and the Old Town of İskeçe using drones operated by certified pilots.
The research team also works on educational technologies and digital twins, while participating in academic collaborations with universities in Greece and Cyprus.
These include a joint postgraduate programme in Digital Humanities with the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, alongside postgraduate collaborations involving the University of Cyprus and Democritus University of Thrace.
The team is also involved in a European research project using artificial intelligence to help predict venous thrombosis, demonstrating the potential application of advanced technologies in healthcare.
GOVERNMENT AND REGIONAL OFFICIALS HIGHLIGHT INNOVATION
Kalafatis said the projects reflected the Greek government’s strategy of supporting artificial intelligence and new technologies beyond the country’s major urban centres.
He emphasised the importance of creating opportunities for young scientists to build careers in their home regions rather than having to relocate elsewhere.
Regional Deputy Governor for Development, Entrepreneurship, Innovation, Research and Social Economy Alexandros Iosifidis also highlighted the importance of research infrastructure for the region’s economic development. He said the challenge was to translate scientific knowledge into practical applications that benefit local communities and businesses.
Xanthi Deputy Mayor for Sports and Tourism Anastasios Tarenidis noted that the restored neoclassical building was part of the city’s modern history and could provide new opportunities for students and young entrepreneurs.
PLANS FOR A POTENTIALLY INDEPENDENT INSTITUTE
Emiris also outlined the longer-term ambition of restoring the İskeçe research unit to the status of an independent institute when the necessary conditions are in place.
Such a development could further strengthen the centre’s scientific activities and expand its partnerships with universities, businesses and the wider community. However, the proposal remains a future prospect rather than an announced institutional change.
The inauguration also highlighted the centre’s research history in Xanthi. The Institute for Language and Speech Processing was founded in 1991 and marks its 35th anniversary in 2026. Its presence in Xanthi dates back approximately 30 years.
The Institute for Cultural and Educational Technology was established in 1998, and both institutes became part of the Athena Research Center in 2003. A building at the Kimmeria university campus was constructed in 2011, while the restoration of the Old Town neoclassical building had remained pending for around 25 years, according to remarks made at the event.
RESEARCH INVESTMENT SEEN AS A DRIVER OF REGIONAL DEVELOPMENT
The completion of the two projects marks a new stage for the Athena Research Center in İskeçe, combining modern research facilities with the city’s architectural and cultural heritage.
Centre officials stressed that infrastructure alone would not determine the projects’ long-term impact. Their broader goal is to encourage new research initiatives, expand international and academic partnerships, support entrepreneurship and make scientific knowledge more accessible to the public.
With around 100 specialists already working in İskeçe, the centre aims to strengthen the city’s role in Greek and European research while creating more opportunities for scientists and young professionals to develop their careers in the region.
