Thessaloniki serves as a reference point for Cisco, as it is closely linked to the company’s developmental dynamics and the impact it has on the digital transformation of the country, fostering substantial connectivity with both society and the business community. Our presence dates back to June 2020, and in the years that have passed, we have endeavored, collaborated, and forged a strong connection with the social, scientific, economic, and business fabric of the city and the broader region, with extensions that go beyond the borders of the country.
Encoding the points that characterized our presence, it is worth mentioning the connection between educational and research institutions with emerging entrepreneurship, shaping, with the highest index of quality standards, an ideal platform for entrepreneurial development. Furthermore, leveraging the dynamics of the global educational program Cisco NetAcad – Skills for All, we provided the tools to hundreds of young individuals to confront the challenges of the digital economy and become a productive and creative segment of society, opening up prospects for advancement and growth in an increasingly digital world.
The International Center for Digital Transformation and Digital Skills at Cisco actively promotes digital education, supporting, throughout the year, an educational visit program that hosted approximately 700 high school students, technical school students, and university students. These visits provide essential knowledge about digital transformation and its impact on the job market, with emphasis on the challenges and opportunities of the digital economy, as well as the importance of cybersecurity.
Simultaneously, with the support of Cisco and the collaboration of our partners, we have developed innovative solutions that cover the entire spectrum of digital transformation. Within the framework of the Country Digital Acceleration (CDA) program, we have implemented and delivered more than 20 pilot projects of digital transformation to our clients and partners. Visitors to the Center, who have exceeded 10,000 to date, constantly have the opportunity to engage with these solutions, familiarize themselves with the prospects that unfold before them, and draw inspiration for new initiatives. The numbers, but especially their semantic content, provide the dimension: more than 200 events, 1800 educational hours, 450 educational sessions, 250 trainees. Through a clear outward-looking strategy, reflecting the essence and vision of the digital city of the future where citizens will enjoy the benefits of a sustainable and creative everyday life, we brought to the public table the leadership of cities in Greece and Southeastern Europe, fostering dialogue, coordination, and collaboration.
Thessaloniki, a focal point in the developmental prospects of the country and a hub of innovation and outward orientation.
Thessaloniki plays a pivotal role in the developmental perspective of the broader region and Greece as a whole, shaping a dynamic outward orientation that extends both to the Balkans and Southeastern Europe. The city’s geostrategic character as a Mediterranean bridge constitutes an ideal platform for the dissemination of knowledge, technological innovation, and the business dynamics of CISCO. The future is even more promising, as with the support of the Greek state, we can look forward to the enduring prominence of the Northern Greece region as the epicenter of digital innovation.
CISCO, as it perennially supports the effort of modernization, technological upgrade, and digital transformation through its investment plan, establishes Thessaloniki as a center of added value and perspective in our society and economy. Always prioritizing human welfare, our focus is on the benefits that individuals derive from the products, solutions, and tools of technology. Among our immediate priorities is the further enhancement of our pioneering initiatives in multiple areas such as Smart City Solutions, Safe Cities and Cybersecurity, Operational and Business Continuity, Telemedicine, developed by the International Center for Digital Transformation and Digital Skills. Additionally, we aim to strengthen partnerships with stakeholders in the ecosystem.
It is also noteworthy that with the expansion of our responsibilities, now including the Balkan countries, we are increasingly focusing on strengthening technological innovation, leveraging the expertise provided by the global educational program Cisco NetAcad – Skills for All, and deepening education in digital skills, with Thessaloniki as our starting point. Concurrently, we will shape a comprehensive framework of partnerships with local entities and the business community, establishing an integrated platform for sustainable development. Our central goal is the enduring establishment of a ‘knowledge society’ and developmental perspective in a world where digital technology is a creative companion to humanity.
Editor:Stelina Margaritidou
Version in English: Lina Tsingana
