The award was presented by the President of the Karatzis Group, Antonis Karatzis, who congratulated the researcher of the Institute of Mediterranean Studies
The event organized by the Association of Friends of the Research Technology Foundation, at the Chamber of Heraklion, was dedicated to the memory of Fotis Kafatos, where the “Miltiadis Karatzis” prize was awarded to the best female researcher for the 3rd year. The speech was about Kalliopi Vasilaki, with the awarding of the award being made by the businessman and President of the Karatzis Group, Antonis Karatzis, who referred to this important institution that rewards excellence and young scientists.
In particular, touching moments took place during the awarding of the “Miltiadis Karatzis” award to the best researcher Kalliopi Vasilakis for her scientific research. The ceremony took place on Monday evening and was attended by members of the academic community and the political world, thus respecting an institution that has been preserved intact.
Mr. Karatzis, speaking to the television lens of CRETE-TV, said: “Like every year, we are consistent in our effort to give the Miltiadis Karatzis prize to the best researcher. He is a researcher selected by a serious committee. We always want excellence to be rewarded and it is particularly important.”
For her part, Kalliopi Vasilaki argued that this award is a special honor for her.
“It is an honor to be awarded. And especially in Heraklion because I come from here” he said.
Mr. Karatzis emphasized that the specific award has now become an institution and is a good enough incentive for candidate researchers to intensify their research.
“I feel pretty good because it has become an institution. It started timidly a few years ago and it has become an institution to give this award to the best researcher every year. In this way, we give value to the place and trigger other researchers to take it too” said Mr. Karatzis.
“Our manager is Ms. Halafti who helps us with financing. We have a big problem with research funding. I am working on the history of maritime communities. I’m doing maritime history and I’m at the Institute of Mediterranean Studies in Rethymno” noted Ms. Vasilaki.
For the awarding of the prize, a special committee was set up which decided, with strict scientific criteria, that the “Miltiadis Karatzis” prize, accompanied by the sum of 3,000 euros, should be awarded to Kalliopi Vasilakis.
The president of ITE, Nektarios Tavernarakis speaking publicly supported the candidacy of Kalliopi Vasilakis characterizing her as excellent.
“We are particularly happy this year as the award this year is given to the field of Humanities and Social Sciences. Kalliopi Vasilaki was an excellent nomination and one of the six nominations.”
Mr. Karatzis praised the academic excellence of the university institutions, making it clear that excellence is inextricably linked to them.
“We have amazing university institutions. As well as the ITE, which is one of the best in the world” he underlined.
And all this in the context of an event organized by the Association of Friends of ITE at the Chamber of Heraklion, which was attended by a large number of people. The event was dedicated to the memory of Fotis Kafatos.
The president of the ITE Friends Association, Zacharias Karatarakis, emphasized the importance of the event, saying: “We are interested in the academic and cultural development of our members. And of all those who want to support this effort. In difficult times, we need solid foundations to walk on and one of them is the ITE”.
For her part, the professor of Political Science and Communication in the Department of Journalism and Media at the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki underlined: “Discriminations are important. But the question is in which direction they are given. Sometimes awards are given to individuals and media professionals who are not distinguished for the best”.
At the same time, Lefteris Oikonomou and Stefanos Trahanas were declared honorary members, while during the event a speech was held on the current topic “Visible and invisible dangers for democracy and the role of the Mass Media”, with the speaker Ms. Sofia Kaitatzis – Whitlock .