SEEWQCI and HellasQCI, both coordinated by GRNET, participated in the 90th Thessaloniki International Fair (TIF), held from 5 to 13 September 2026 in Thessaloniki, Greece.
Throughout the Fair, SEEWQCI and HellasQCI were presented at the Ministry of Digital Governance and Artificial Intelligence exhibition space in Pavilion 12. Visitors had the opportunity to learn about their infrastructure, objectives and progress, while GRNET representatives provided information on Greece’s national and cross-border quantum communication infrastructure and its contribution to the development of secure and quantum-safe communications in Greece and Europe.
Overall, 254 visitors were informed by GRNET representatives about its digital and research infrastructures, projects and activities, including SEEWQCI and HellasQCI and their role in strengthening the security and resilience of critical data and digital infrastructures through quantum technologies.
During the Fair, both initiatives were also featured in two panel discussions on quantum technologies, bringing together representatives from the public sector, academia, research and industry.
“Quantum Computing: The Next Big Step After AI for Business and Society”
Saturday, 5 September 2026 | Pavilion 15 – TCCI Stand | 12:30–13:30
The discussion explored the potential and practical applications of quantum technologies for businesses and society, as well as the initiatives currently being developed at national level and the challenges surrounding their transition from research to real-world applications.
Dimitris Katsianis, Vice Chairman of GRNET and Assistant Professor at the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens (NKUA), participated in the discussion alongside representatives from academia, research and industry. Opening remarks were delivered by Nikolaos Tzollas, Vice Governor for Digital Governance of the Region of Central Macedonia, and Panagiotis Menexopoulos, 2nd Vice President of the Thessaloniki Chamber of Commerce and Industry.
The session was attended by 46 participants on-site.
“The Present and Future of Quantum Technologies in Greece and Europe”
Tuesday, 8 September 2026 | Pavilion 12 – Main Stage | 18:00–19:00
The discussion focused on the latest developments in quantum computing and quantum communications, their applications in securing digital infrastructures, and the prospects for further development and collaboration at national and European level.
GRNET was represented by Dr. Ilias Papastamatiou, Senior Project Manager at GRNET and Coordinator of the HellasQCI and SEEWQCI projects, and Alexandros Aivaliotis, Technical Project Manager at GRNET, alongside representatives of the quantum technology ecosystem from Greece and Europe. The discussion highlighted the development of HellasQCI and the extension of quantum communication capabilities into cross-border European networks through SEEWQCI and TransEuroOGS, contributing to quantum-safe communications and the resilience of critical infrastructures.
The session was attended by 14 participants on-site, while 86 online views were recorded via the live stream.
The recorded session is available via DIAVLOS here.
The participation of SEEWQCI and HellasQCI in the 90th TIF highlighted the progress of Greece’s quantum communication infrastructure and its integration into the wider European quantum communication ecosystem, as well as its contribution to advancing secure, resilient and quantum-safe communications across Greece and Europe.
