Τhe 12^th International Summer University on the “Greek language, Culture and Media” is currently being undergoing from 6^th to 11^th September 2026, in Sydney, Australia. Its main aim is to convey a discussion about the Greek language as an element of international networking that can, create communities, strengthen relations between Greek diaspora and Greece, and connect Universities and Research Centers. The expected result is the creation of an environment where cultural relations can evolve into professional and business collaborations. The Summer University falls under the auspices of H.E. the President of the Hellenic Republic, Konstantinos A. Tasoulas, and is supported by the General Secretariat of Greek Diaspora and Public Diplomacy.

Culmination of the 2026 Summer University is the initiative entitled "The role of entrepreneurship in the dissemination of the Greek language - Innovation bridges between Australia and the European Union" which takes place on September 11, 2026, starting at 9.00 am, at the Rex Vowels Theatre of the University of New South Wales (UNSW). The event is co-organized by the, Laboratory for the Study of Social Issues, Media and Education of the Department of Early Childhood Education of the School of Education Sciences of the University of Ioannina (Greece), the Unity in Philia, and the Foundation for Hellenic Studies UNSW. The main goal is to connect the Greek language and the cultural presence with the modern ecosystem of research, technology, investment and entrepreneurship.

DAISSy Research Group of the Hellenic Open University (HOU) actively supports this remarkable initiative and collaborates with Unity in Philia, which has undertaken the formation and coordination of a targeted academic and business mission from Greece. The Research Group participates in person at the event and is represented by Dr. Achilles Kameas, Professor at HOU and Director of DAISSy, who takes part in the roundtable discussions. The overall goal of DAISSy-HOU is to create meaningful contacts with Australian partners, to identify areas for joint projects and to create the conditions for long-term collaborations. The initiative has already attracted the interest of particularly important representatives from the fields of higher education, research, finance, industry, start-ups and investments.

The event takes on greater importance for research and innovation, considering that on June 9, 2026, the European Commission completed negotiations with Australia for its inclusion in the “Horizon Europe” European program, in important fields of activity, such as digital technologies, industry and space, climate, energy and mobility, health, agriculture, bioeconomy and natural resources.

Through its active presence in pioneering initiatives and the development of solid partnerships with remarkable organizations such as Unity in Philia, the DAISSy Research Group of the HOU confirms its international reach as well as its overall commitment to inclusive and equal cultural, social, and sustainable economic development.