President of the Greek Republic, Karolos Papoulias met with Nobel laureate and Professor Emeritus at the University of Heidelberg, Dr. Harald zur Hausen who was named Honorary Doctorate of Medicine School and Pharmacy Faculty at the University of Athens. During their meeting the two men discussed the fact that young Greek scientists are leaving the country in order to excel abroad. Papoulias expressed his concern on the matter and stressed the fact that they need to motivate young scientist in order to prevent them from leaving the country.
Dr. Harald zur Hausen visited the President of the Hellenic Republic this Wednesday, accompanied by his Greek fellow distinguished scientists Dr Christos Vasilakos, General Secretary of Research and Technology, J. Ioannidis, G. Kollias and P. Machairas, who are professors at the University of Athens.
Karolos Papoulias recalled a meeting he had in the past, in the city of Ioannina, with the Nobel laureate scientist, which according to him was “very interesting” and noted that “Greece is losing young, talented scientists who leave to work abroad.” However, he also mentioned that this may be slowly changing since some scientists appear to have returned.
Dr. Harald zur Haysen said he has many Greek colleagues, who work abroad and especially in his country, noting the scientists’ tendency to leave and never return. “This tendency should be reversed,” he concluded.
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