A memorandum of cooperation for a period of four years was signed on Wednesday, April 5, 2023, by the rector of the Athens University of Economics and Business (OPA). Dimitrios Burantonis and President of the Hellenic Financial Council (HBC) Anastasia Myaulis.

The two organizations have agreed on a series of joint actions and initiatives that will increase both their scientific influence and, above all, the more effective acquisition of financial knowledge and the connection of students to the labor market.

OPA students will complete an internship at EDS. The exercise will focus on acquiring financial knowledge as well as connecting students more closely with the labor market. Job opportunities at EDS will also be provided to OPA students who have up-to-date and specialized scientific skills in matters of interest to EDS. The implementation of the action will be supervised by the internship and labor relations departments of OPA in cooperation with EDS.

OPA will develop training programs to develop the necessary specialized tools according to the needs of EDS workers. Accordingly, EDS employees will participate in OPA training programs. The planning and implementation of these programs will be overseen by OPA’s Center for Lifelong Learning (KEDIVIM) in collaboration with relevant academic officials.

As part of the EDS strategy to “Develop financial literacy in Greece” among adolescents, students and workers, the Board and OPA are embarking on joint actions that include, among others:

– Speeches/presentations to students by EDS representatives and OPA faculty.

– Joint organization of seminars (workshops) and days dedicated to public finance, public sector accounting, macroeconomic analysis and fundamentals of fiscal management.

– Educational visits of students of the EPA to the EDS.

Both agencies will start preparing analyzes or studies on issues of interest to EDS. This preparation can be done through OPA graduate student theses or by assigning analysis/research to OPA graduate students under the guidance of an OPA faculty member. Subjects of analyzes/studies are the result of expressions of interest by EDS.

OPA and EDS will cooperate and share know-how on issues related to the strengthening of scientific and research activities. Accordingly, they will embark on joint activities such as joint organization of seminars, workshops and conferences or the establishment of working groups on specific issues of common interest. At the same time, EDS will participate as a co-organizer in conferences, competitions/awards and other OPA events, depending on the interests of EDS.