The engineer is called upon to be an inventor and contribute to patenting.
The transformation of an innovative idea and patent into a marketable product and its appropriate promotion in the market was the focus of the educational two-day seminar titled “New Activities for Engineers: The Engineer as Inventor and Patent Consultant,” organised by the Hellenic Industrial Property Organisation (OBI) in collaboration with the Hellenic Industrial Property Academy (HIPA) and the Technical Chamber of Greece (TCG). The event took place in the event hall of the MonAsty hotel, Thessaloniki, Autograph Collection.
During the first day’s discussion, moderated by Dr. Lampros Pyrgiotis (Board Member of OBI – TCG Representative, Board Member of HIPA), speakers elaborated on how innovation can add value to the Greek economy, with indicators showing optimism. At the same time, the need for coordinated actions and corresponding legislative initiatives was emphasized. Particular attention was given to the engineering community in Thessaloniki and Northern Greece, which is emerging as a hub of innovation.
“Welcoming the participants, Mr. Panagiotis Kanellopoulos, General Director of the Hellenic Industrial Property Organisation (OBI), emphasized, among other things, referring to an announcement from OBI about achieving a record: ‘For the first time since records have been kept, the number of patent applications has surpassed 1,000, and we still have the entire month of December ahead of us. This milestone shows that the interest in protecting industrial property is increasing, not only from businesses and individuals but also from educational and research institutions.’ He also referred to a national record, while highlighting the importance of organising this two-day event.”
The director of the office of the Deputy Minister of the Interior responsible for Macedonia-Thrace, Mr. Theofylaktos Papadopoulos, conveying the Minister’s speech, emphasized that the government has highlighted research and innovation as a driving force for the development of Northern Greece. “Our country has made leaps in recent years, changed, and continues to change despite the external challenges we face. We went through a difficult two years due to the pandemic, which paralyzed the economy. The energy war has caused inflation to surge across the Eurozone, exceeding 10%. The recession has shrunk the annual growth rate in the eurozone to 2%. Despite this, our country shows strong resilience, with growth expected to close above 5%, more than double the European average. Our country has achieved a global first in improving the business environment and emerged as a leader in Europe in attracting investments. It is breaking decades-long records in export growth. Greek businesses have proven that they did not stand passively in the face of the crisis but creatively seized opportunities. Thanks to the reforms that have been implemented, tax and contribution reductions, the improvement of the investment climate, and the digital leap that is taking place, the government is strengthening the outward orientation of the economy and creating new jobs. With the initiatives of the Prime Minister, we have over €70 billion in EU funds available for the coming years from the ESPA and the Recovery and Resilience Fund.” He noted that with the investments made, Thessaloniki (Pfizer, Deloitte, Cisco, etc.) is becoming the largest innovation hub in Southeast Europe. “Without innovative businesses, scientists, freelancers, and the capital willing to take risks and reap the rewards later, new wealth cannot be created,” he emphasized, adding that “Greece now convinces both Greeks and foreigners that it is worth working and investing here. Engineers play a key role in this effort, especially in the field of innovation.” He also referred to institutional changes promoted by the government in collaboration with TCG and the strengthening and support of OBI by the government.
Mr. Georgios Stasinós, President of the Technical Chamber of Greece (TCG), emphasized that engineers naturally could be both inventors and consultants on industrial patents. However, he pointed out: “We are very far behind as a country because, in reality, we do not help the inventor develop their idea nor in the process of creating a product to completion, thereby generating added value.”
He added that efforts to enhance innovation have increased in recent years but are fragmented and that organised steps with a plan need to be taken in our country. “A large portion of the GDP of developed countries is based on startups.” He emphasized that we need to look at the incentives and support needed by an inventor to contribute to economic development. “A roadmap needs to be created to determine what needs to change in legislation and the incentives that should be provided, so that in the end, we have a result, and in a year, we can have the ten institutional changes that need to be made.”
On his part, Mr. Georgios Tsakoumēs, President of the Central Macedonia Department of the Technical Chamber of Greece, highlighted the fact that “we are flooded with funding for research and European programs aimed at creating innovative products. We all try to create something different. However, the essence is to have organisation. The scientific community is constantly striving to improve and find new solutions, but it is important to have coordination to ensure the protection of these efforts.” The President of TCG/TKM set a goal to achieve progress within six months to a year.
Mr. Anastasios Thomopoulos, Executive Director of the Hellenic Industrial Property Academy (HIPA), emphasized that for the past two years, HIPA has been functioning and “steadily claiming its position in the Greek innovation ecosystem, both through the educational programs it offers and by participating in and co-organising events such as today’s seminar. The goal of HIPA is to provide the appropriate knowledge and professional skills to contribute to expanding the country’s innovation ecosystem and help develop its economy.”
“During the highly interesting discussion on the first day, the role of the engineer in the creation and protection of intellectual industrial property was analyzed by Mr. Demetrios Stafylas, Electrical and Computer Engineer, Principal Patent Examiner, Head of the Inventions, IT, and Communications Department at OBI, and Member of the Board of Directors of HIPA.”
Dr. Georgios Asimopoulos, Chemist at the Thessaloniki Regional Office of OBI, spoke about the need for patent landscape mapping aimed at mitigating climate change.
Dr. Paris Kokorotsikos, Chemical Engineer and Scientific Advisor of the International Association of Science Parks (IASP) – Scientific Advisor of Thess INTEC, discussed an innovation park for engineers and inventors that would meet the requirements of internationally recognized academic and research institutions as well as businesses with significant export prospects.
Concluding the first day of the seminar, Dr. Nikolaos Kanopoulos, Electrical Engineer and CEO of Brite Solar Technologies, discussed the career of an engineer-inventor.
The seminar continued Saturday, December 10, 2022, with the following themes:
HIPA: Framework of operation – Actions and role in the Greek innovation ecosystem: Dr. Ioannis Katsogiannis, Associate Professor of Environmental Technology – Department of Chemistry, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, President of the Union of Greek Chemists, President of HIPA, and Board Member of OBI.
The roles of certified TCG patent supervisors and advisors in modern apprenticeship programs: Dr. Georgios Papadakos, Mechanical Engineer, Member of TCG’s Special Scientific Committee on Quality Infrastructure.
The career of a patent consultant engineer: Dr. Manolis Samouilidis, Professor of the School of Naval Architects and Mechanical Engineers at NTUA, European Patent Attorney.
