With the aim of strengthening the impact of research and innovation in the fields of health and social protection at the national, regional, and local levels, the Foundation for Research and Technology – Hellas (FORTH) and the University of West Attica (UniWA) have launched a landmark collaboration, formalized through the signing of a Memorandum of Cooperation in May 2026 by Professor Panagiotis Tsakalides, Vice President of FORTH, and Professor Panagiotis E. Kaldis, Rector of the University of West Attica.
Within FORTH, the collaboration will be implemented by the Center for eHealth Applications and Services (CeHA) of the Institute of Computer Science, while the University of West Attica will be represented by the Social Administration Research Laboratory (SARL).
The partnership aims to leverage the expertise, research infrastructure, and human capital of both institutions to develop joint research initiatives and studies addressing complex societal challenges, including demographic ageing, universal access to healthcare services, the growing care crisis, the social inclusion of vulnerable populations, and inclusive regional development. Planned activities will focus, among other areas, on supporting the design of evidence-based strategies and action plans with measurable social impact, assessing national, regional, and local health and social care ecosystems, and identifying the needs of users of health and social services.
"Our collaboration with the University of West Attica marks an important step toward addressing both current and emerging societal challenges, with a particular focus on active living and social care. By combining our expertise in the development and implementation of digital health services and the application of advanced technologies with the University's specialized research excellence in social administration and social protection, we are creating a strong framework for designing and developing innovative solutions that deliver meaningful and measurable social impact."
"Our collaboration with FORTH aims to strengthen the traditional institutions of the welfare state at the national, regional, and local levels through innovative research methodologies and policy studies. At the same time, we aspire to highlight the value of public and private investment in emerging areas such as active ageing, social care, social entrepreneurship, and social housing by providing evidence-based support for sustainable and effective policy interventions."
"By bringing together two institutions with complementary scientific expertise and research capabilities, we seek to establish new areas of collaboration that will foster innovation, support the development of effective public policies, and contribute to the sustainable development of health and social protection ecosystems in Greece."
"The collaboration between the University of West Attica and FORTH reaffirms our strategic commitment to interdisciplinary research and innovation with tangible societal impact. Joining forces to advance research and develop innovative tools and services that strengthen social protection, healthcare, and sustainable development for the benefit of society is a priority for every public university. Within this framework, the active participation of the University's Social Administration Research Laboratory further demonstrates its pivotal role in generating evidence-based knowledge and developing innovative proposals that contribute to the design of effective public policies and interventions."
Information: Center for eHealth Applications and Services (CeHA), Institute of Computer Science, Foundation for Research and Technology-Hellas Tel.: +302810391453, E-mail: ehealth@ics.forth.gr, URL: ceha.gr
