The Deputy Minister of National Defence Mr. Ioannis Kefalogiannis extended today, Wednesday 13 March 2024, an address to the inauguration ceremony of the new augmented reality, artificial intelligence and digital anatomy laboratory “Asclepius” of the students of the Department of Nursing at the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens (EKPA), and the cadets of the Nursing Officers School, which was donated by the Stavros Niarchos Foundation to the Nursing Faculty of EKPA.
In the context of his address, Mr. Kefalogiannis thanked the Stavros Niarchos Foundation for donating a modern technological tool to the world of Academia, highlighting the fact that the unchartered areas in the field of health, climate change and the rapid developments in the world map reveal the need for actively involved nurses, who will be capable of combining scientific training, a critical eye, and their solid field training. Also, he underlined that the Ministry of National defence, having the promotion of artificial intelligence, digitalisation and the use of simulators and specialised training as its high priority, examines all prospects on how to utilise novelties.
In his address, the Deputy Minister stated the following:
It is a special honour and joy for me to address the inauguration of the new augmented reality, artificial intelligence and digital anatomy laboratory “Asclepius” of the students of the Department of Nursing at the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens. It is an additional flagship gift of the Stavros Niarchos Foundation to the Department of Nursing, in the context of the “Initiative for Health”. The SNF, following its constant, unselfish giving to the society, offers one more modern technological tool to the world of Academia, to facilitate the passing on of knowledge to the next generations of scientists. The SNF, always assisting the fields of health, education, culture, and the Armed Forces, is a landmark constantly surprising us with its innovative donations and actions.
We all know that both the political and military leadership of the Ministry of National Defence highly prioritise the promotion of artificial intelligence, digitalisation, the use of simulators and specialised training. In this spirit, we also examine all prospects on how to utilise novelties, we are open to suggestions, and look forward to future cooperation in Greece and abroad. The unchartered areas in the field of health, climate change and the rapid developments in the world map reveal the need for actively involved nurses, who will be capable of combining scientific training, a critical eye, and their solid field training, as they often say in the Armed Forces. As I have fully seen your work and offer, I would like to express my congratulations for the constant and hard struggle that aims to the progress and development of science, as well as to the training and professional accomplishment of the students. The inclusion of the Department of Nursing of the EKPA among the top Nursing departments globally for the year 2023, but also among the 54
best medical schools at European level was an acknowledgment of this constant effort; such a distinction honours the Department, the University, but also our country.
Dear students of the Department of Nursing and cadets of the Nursing Officers School, I want to congratulate you for your success to be admitted to one of the most demanding and recognised departments in our country. A success that came to recompense your hard effort and led to the accomplishment of your dream. I also want to congratulate you on your choice to follow this vocation; and I refer to it as vocation, other than a profession, as a result of the constant offer to the fellow human, and of the demands and sacrifices required by all of you. The saying of Hippocrates “For the benefit of my patients” on the crest of the Nursing Officers School describes what the Nursing science stands for. As far as your academic education is concerned, you are given the opportunity to be exceptional on the university landscape, and to contribute to maintaining the heritage borne by the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens. In this framework, I advise you to cease every option offered by your Department, and to seek for opportunities offered by institutions and organisations, such as the SNF, to broaden your horizons. Aspire to take advantage of the technological breakthroughs, as the “Asclepius”. Aspire to conquer the top in your field. You should be able to become the best, as our society needs young, skilled and active nurses.
I am wishing you health, progress and to carry on with your task and education, with the same ardour”.