Satellite Symposium (Bio3 Conference 2025)

Satellite Symposium “Education in the 21st Century” – BioInnovation Greece 2025 Forum

As part of the Bio3 Forum – BioInnovation Greece, the Satellite Symposium “Education in the 21st Century” took place on Friday, September 19, the fifth and final day of the Conference, at the Technopolis City of Athens, with free admission. The Komvos was represented by Mr. Drosatos, founding member and General Secretary of the Board.
The Minister of Education, Sofia Zacharaki, presented the government’s priorities for the future of Greek schooling, while Nikolas Katsanis highlighted the importance of science as an integral part of scientists’ lives.

The Satellite Symposium “Education in the 21st Century” offered a comprehensive overview of education and science in the modern world through lectures, roundtable discussions, and conversations with distinguished speakers from Greece and abroad. All sessions were held in Greek, providing a rich framework for dialogue on preparing the scientists and citizens of the 21st century.

Keynote Lecture – Science as a Part of Scientists’ Lives

The Symposium opened with the keynote lecture, moderated by Polydefkis Papadopoulos, journalist specializing in European and international affairs, and delivered by Nikolas Katsanis, Co-founder, Executive Vice President, and Chief Scientific Officer of Galatea Bio (USA).
The lecture focused on the idea that science is not merely a profession but an integral part of scientists’ lives, highlighting the importance of dedication, curiosity, and personal commitment in scientific research.

Round Table – The Scientist as a Citizen of the 21st Century

The roundtable discussion on “The Scientist as a Citizen of the 21st Century” followed, moderated by Vasiliki Michopoulou, science journalist and communication expert.
The panel featured Theo Anagnostopoulos, Co-founder and CEO of SciCo; Konstantinos Drosatos, Founding Member of Komvos, Professor of Pharmacology and Systems Physiology at the University of Cincinnati, and President of the ARISTEiA Institute; and Alexandra Mitsotaki, President and Co-founder of the World Human Forum, President of the Centre Culturel Hellénique in France, and Corresponding Member of Komvos.

The discussion highlighted the importance of social responsibility and the active engagement of scientists in society. The speakers emphasized that the 21st-century scientist must be understood by the wider public and communicate knowledge and scientific issues clearly and accessibly—so that science becomes truly comprehensible and sparks genuine public interest, fostering an equitable and two-way relationship between science and society.

Round Table – Interdisciplinary Education

The discussion continued with the roundtable “Interdisciplinary Education: A Compass in the World of New Technologies,” moderated by Fay Makantasi, Research Director at diaNEOsis and Founding Member of Komvos.
The panel featured Spyros Agathos, Emeritus Professor at Université catholique de Louvain; Ioannis Koutroulis, Associate Dean for Admissions, George Washington University School of Medicine and Health Sciences; Elli Magouta, iGEM Ambassador for Europe; and Aristeidis Samitas, Vice-Rector and Professor of Finance at the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens.

The discussion highlighted the importance of an interdisciplinary approach to education, emphasizing the need for collaboration among different scientific fields and the development of skills that enable young people to meet the technological challenges of the 21st century.

Fireside Chat – The School and University of Citizen Scientists

The Fireside Chat on “The School and University of 21st-Century Citizen Scientists,” moderated by Fanis Papathanasiou, journalist and ERT presenter, featured Sofia Zacharaki, Minister of Education and Religious Affairs, as a special guest.
The session focused on the role of education in cultivating citizen scientists, emphasizing the importance of schools and universities that foster social responsibility, innovation, and youth participation in both scientific and societal life—the schools of the future.

Round Table – Education as a Response to the Signs of the Times

The next session, “Education as a Response to the Signs of the Times,” was moderated by Ioanna Soufleri, Chief Editor of Vima Science. The panel included Giannis Anastasopoulos, Microsoft, Industry Sector Lead in Education for Greece, Cyprus & Malta; Perikles Mitkas, Founding Member of Komvos and President of the Hellenic Authority for Higher Education; Konstantinos Papadias, Associate Vice President for Research, Innovation, and Graduate Studies at The American College of Greece; and Vasiliki Tsouni, State Advisor for Secondary Education in Athens. The discussion focused on how education can respond to contemporary challenges, proposing strategies for skills development and innovation, especially as new conditions and Artificial Intelligence are transforming education as we have known it.

Open Discussion – Conclusions and Perspectives

The day concluded with an open discussion, moderated by Konstantinos Drosatos, Founding Member and General Secretary of Komvos, Professor of Pharmacology and Systems Physiology at the University of Cincinnati, and President of the ARISTEiA Institute. This session provided participants with the opportunity to summarize key takeaways, exchange ideas, and highlight prospects for education in the 21st century.