The researchers, LiuRunsheng, Wang Ling and Zhang Lijuan, representatives of the Institute of Scientific and Technical Information of China, (ISTIC) visited the National Documentation Centre (EKT) on Monday 24 June 2019 to meet with EKT representatives. The meeting concentrated on the innovation policies that the two institutions implement for the promotion and enhancement of entrepreneurship and research in their countries.
The meeting was opened by Mr. Dimitris Maragos, Co-ordinator of ‘Knowledge and Partnership Bridges’, who presented EKT’s activities with an emphasis on open access to scientific publications and research results and the support offered to Greek SMEs to enhance the competitiveness of the Greek economy.
Mr. Liu Runsheng presented the activities of ISTIC, focusing on policies and tools to enhance entrepreneurship.
Following Mr. Angelos Angelidis, Project Manager, Innovation and Networking Unit, presented Enterprise Europe Network (EEN) – Hellas, the largest network providing integrated services to Greek businesses such as collaboration, information on European policies, participation in EU research and development programmes.
Mr. Nick Maniadakis, Project Manager, presented the SME support structure, a new initiative being implemented by EKT, which, via an electronic platform ,will provide comprehensive information about tools and business support services, as well as personalised services according to the needs of Greek companies.
Dr. Nikos Karampekios, RDI Documentation Unit Manager, presented the main activities of the department (metrics.ekt.gr), which produces reliable statistics and indicators on Greek research, development and innovation activity. He also focused on the prospects of Greek-Chinese co-operation in scientific publications as EKT is responsible for the creation, distribution and maintenance of the National Archive of PhD Theses.
The final presentation was made by Mr. D. Maragos, who presented the ‘Knowledge and Partnership Bridges’ initiative implemented by EKT, and which is designed to map the Greek scientists and professionals abroad and to interconnect them with the country as well as the new Bridges Awards programme which aims to reward co-operation between Greeks worldwide.
Finally, the representatives discussed opportunities for co-operation between the two organisations through the ERASMUS + programme, the ‘Thousands Talent Programme’ programme the Chinese Democracy implements and other personnel exchange programmes for knowledge transfer on innovation policies between the two countries.
It is worth noting that the two organisations, EKT and ISTIC, signed a 2012 co-operation agreement aimed at strengthening bilateral relations in the field of scientific and technological information and promoting science and technology in both countries.
Institute of Scientific and Technical Information of China (ΙSTIC)
The Institute of Scientific and Technical Information of China (ISTIC) is the national scientific and technological information organisation in China under the Ministry of Science and Technology and supports the research activity of the country, providing national scientific information services to government agencies, universities, research centres and businesses.
The main activities of ISTIC (www.istic.ac.cn), which comprises 6 sub-centres and 3 companies, include: collection and disposal of scientific publications, databases and digital libraries, development, implementation and distribution of technologies and language knowledge technologies, development of information systems, publication of studies on science and technology indicators, and promotion of innovative technologies. At the same time, it supports technological innovation, interconnection of research and production and exploitation of research results.
Its collections include rich digital content: more than 1.5 million theses, 150,000 conference proceedings, 300,000 reference books and numerous databases. ISTIC participates in research and international development co-operation programmes, working with counterparts from around the world and represents China in international science and technology organisations.