The China–Greece Innovation Collaboration Center (CGICC) — Κέντρο Συνεργασίας στην Καινοτομία Κίνας–Ελλάδας (ΚΕΣΥΚΚΕ) — is a joint initiative of the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki (AUTh) και Ningbo University of Technology (NBUT), established to build lasting bridges between the innovation ecosystems of China and Greece.
Officially founded on September 6, 2025, and formally launched on June 30, 2026 at AUTh’s campus in Thessaloniki, CGICC is the fruit of years of relationship-building between two institutions that share a commitment to open, internationally connected research and enterprise.
What we do
CGICC operates across four interconnected areas:
- Networking and Matching (Δράσεις Δικτύωσης και Σύζευξης) — connecting enterprises, startups, and research institutions across China, Greece, and Central & Eastern Europe.
- Researcher and Staff Exchanges (Ανταλλαγές Ερευνητών και Στελεχών) — facilitating mobility through visiting scholar programs, short-term exchanges, joint doctoral supervision, and co-training schemes.
- Consulting (Συμβουλευτική) — providing strategic guidance on international R&D cooperation, market entry, and innovation policy to organizations seeking to expand across the China–EU corridor.
- Reports and Publications (Εκθέσεις και λοιπές δημοσιεύσεις) — producing high-quality research on innovation ecosystems, science & technology policy, and cross-national collaboration.
Our institutional roots
Aristotle University of Thessaloniki is the largest university in Greece and one of the largest in Southeast Europe, with a long tradition in international academic partnership. It brings to CGICC its research depth, its network across Europe, and its role as a gateway to the Balkans and the Mediterranean.
Ningbo University of Technology, through its Κέντρο Έρευνας για τη Συνεργασία Καινοτομίας Κίνας-ΧΚΑΕ, is dedicated to facilitating the cross-regional flow of innovation elements between China and Central & Eastern European countries. NBUT provides CGICC with direct access to China’s dynamic innovation ecosystem — particularly in the Zhejiang and Jiangsu regions.
Get involved
Whether you are a researcher, an enterprise, or an institution looking to expand internationally, CGICC offers a platform for collaboration, exchange, and growth. Explore our programs, follow our latest activities, and reach out to find out how we can work together.
🇬🇷 Greek side: Prof. Dr. Grigoris Zarotiadis — gzarotia@econ.auth.gr
🇨🇳 Chinese side: research@cceec.tech
ΚΕΣΥΚΚΕΑΠΘΠΤΝΜInnovationChina-GreeceWelcome
