Α new European program, "Lasers4EU", was recently launched with the participation of the Foundation for Research and Technology - Hellas (FORTH), continuing the long tradition of the Institute of Electronic Structure and Laser (IESL) of FORTH in the field of lasers. In the framework of the kick off meeting which took place on 21-22 October 2024, directors of European research centers from all around Europe met at FORTH’s facilities in Heraklion.

A Memorandum of Understanding was signed between the Institute of Chemical Engineering Sciences (FORTH/ICE-HT) and Hubei University (HUBU), Wuhan, China, on Saturday 9 November 2024, in Patras.

The Institute of Chemical Engineering & High Temperature Chemical Processes of FORTH (today, Institute of Chemical Engineering Sciences) was founded in 1984 and operates in Patras. Τhe "40^th Anniversary Event of ICE-HT", was held on Friday, November 8^th 2024, at the Auditorium of the ICE-HT Conference Centre.

Dr. Maria Charisi, Associated Research Fellow at the Institute of Astrophysics of the Foundation for Research and Technology-Hellas (IA-FORTH) and Assistant Professor at Washington State University, in the USA, has been awarded the 2024 L'ORÉAL-UNESCO Greek Award for Women in Science, in the field of Natural Sciences.

Scientists from the Foundation for Research & Technology -Hellas (FORTH), the National Centre for Scientific Research -NCSR “Demokritos” and the Athena Research Center, visited China between 12-19 October 2024, aiming to foster collaboration between the two countries.

ERC funds scientists to map Galaxy in 3D: Torsten Enßlin (Max Planck Inst. for Astrophysics), Philipp Mertsch (RWΤΗ Aachen University) & Vasiliki Pavlidou (Inst. of Astrophysics-FORTH), have been awarded a highly competitive European Research Council Synergy Grant) aiming to create the first three-dimensional, comprehensive atlas of our Milky Way galaxy.

A Memorandum of Cooperation was signed on Tuesday 29th of October, by the president of FORTH, Prof. Nektarios Tavernarakis, and the President of the Economic Chamber of Eastern Crete, Mr. Evangelos Glakas. The two organizations aim to leverage the expertise of their scientific teams on issues of common interest concerning the country's social and economic life. This collaboration will focus on joint research activities, educational programs, studies, and events to promote the Digital Economy.

The 14th Scientific Retreat of FORTH took place with great success, on October 11-13 at the Conference Center of the International Olympic Academy (IOA) in Ancient Olympia, under the patronage of H.E. the President of the Hellenic Republic Ms. Katerina Sakellaropoulou. The location of this year’s Retreat, which coincides with an Olympic year, was selected to highlight the close link between research and culture and their mutual contribution to human progress.

On Wednesday, October 23, the Deputy Minister of Development responsible for Research and Innovation, Ms. Zoi Rapti, and the Secretary-General for Research and Innovation, Mr. Tasos Gaitanis, paid an official visit to the facilities of FORTH in Heraklion. They were welcomed by FORTH’s President, Prof. Nektarios Tavernarakis, and members of the Board of Directors.

The 17th International Conference on Laser Ablation (COLA 2024) will take place from September 29 to October 4, 2024, at the Creta Maris Resort Hotel in Hersonissos, Crete, Greece, and is co-organized by the Institute of Electronic Structure and Laser (IESL) of the Foundation for Research and Technology-Hellas (FORTH).