After a long and joint effort and with impressive public participation, the new organization for Research, Development, Training in Packaging, Printing and Graphic Communication was presented at the SYSKEVASIA 2024 exhibition. On Saturday 2 November 2024, ELSET, HELGRAMED, FESPA and GRAPHMEDLAB started their joint journey at PackPrint Science. The presidents of ELSET, Mrs. Denise Haitoglou, of HELGRAMED Mr. G. Gabbrellis, of FESPA HELLAS Mr. K. Papathanasopoulos and the director of the Graphic Arts Technology Research Laboratory & of Optical Communication of the University of Western Attica, Mr. M. Tsigonias, welcomed the initiative, declared their full support and called on institutions, businesses and all people in the fields to join in this effort. The presentation was made by one of the main contributors to this effort, the president of the International Circle of Graphic Arts Universities, professor Dr. Anastasios Politis, who mentioned the difficulty of finding specialized human resources and the lack of education, training and retraining programs in printing and packaging.
Mr. A. Politis referred to the very large and continuous demand for people to fill jobs from companies in packaging production and printing who are looking for experienced partners, but cannot find them. He indicated that at the drupa 24 exhibition, there were requests to cover 120 about jobs from Greek companies, while based on data from HELGRRAMED, in PACKAGE 24, there were requests to cover about 40 jobs. Then A. Politis stated that "we are now obliged to take the future into our own hands" and described the moves that have been made since 2023 to create this new body - the PackPrint Science Center and listed its purposes, which are:
- Creating a modern community of packaging, printing and graphic communication industries.
- Research and development.
- Educational actions for all people in the branches and for related branches.
- Participation in national and international research projects and development programs
- Informative actions and events (conferences, workshops, participation in exhibitions, etc.) to promote the branches and businesses.
Special reference was made to the main professional fields where research, education and training are oriented. Is Administration and management, Editorial Content Management and Editing, Graphic Arts and Printing Color, Prepress – Premedia, Printing Sciences and Technologies, Bookbinding – Finishing, Graphic Arts Materials Science, Packaging Design and Production with all their sub-disciplines.
Common place for those who welcomed the launch of the new body, the speaker and those who intervened. after the speech was the invitation to institutions and companies to join the new venture and support the effort.
Following the personal interest of the Regional Governor of Central Greece Mr. Fanis Spanou and the president of the Regional Council Mrs. Loukias Theodorou – Magoulas, this initiative is supported by the Region.