This year, the Ministry of Interior, in partnership with the National Centre for Public Administration and Self-Government (EKDDA), the Ministry of Digital Governance, and Microsoft, will launch educational programs focused on new technologies for public employees.
The initiative aims to enhance both foundational and specialized skills in cloud technologies and artificial intelligence (AI). By 2025, the goal is to train and certify approximately 2,000 public employees in these digital competencies through the “Microsoft Civil Servants Academy,” which was established as the first global academy for public servants in 2023.
This initiative will also allow EKDDA to create a pool of certified Microsoft trainers, who will further advance the digital skills of public employees, enabling widespread, efficient training.
The 14 targeted, expedited programs are designed for immediate practical implementation of new technologies, enhancing the operational efficiency of public organizations. They are intended for employees with a background in computer science, covering areas such as creating integrated Azure solutions, developing AI applications, and combating cyber threats.
This initiative aligns with the “National Recovery and Resilience Plan / Greece 2.0,” and public employees certified through EKDDA and Microsoft will receive point-based incentives as mandated by law.
In a statement, Deputy Minister of Interior Vivi Charalampogianni remarked: “Currently, Greece stands among the leading European nations in integrating artificial intelligence into Public Administration. This showcases our commitment to equipping the Greek public sector with advanced tools. Strengthening our partnership with Microsoft reflects the Ministry of Interior’s strategic commitment to continuously enhance the digital skills of public servants and transition Public Administration into a modern, digitally adept environment, ultimately improving service quality for citizens and supporting our nation’s productivity.”
Demos Papadopoulos, General Secretary of Information Systems and Digital Governance, added: “Cloud technology is no longer a future concept; it is essential for the operation of critical digital infrastructure in the Public Sector, as part of the digital advancements our country is pursuing through initiatives by the Ministry of Digital Governance. However, infrastructure alone is inadequate without trained personnel. The same holds true for artificial intelligence. The key challenge for Public Administration is to apply these tools effectively in daily service delivery. Thus, this initiative is not merely beneficial but significantly strategic.”
Vasileios Exarchos, President of EKDDA, stated: “As the leading training entity for Greek Public Administration, EKDDA consistently addresses the demands of the digital era by investing in the skill enhancement of our public employees. Our partnership with Microsoft, in the context of the Public Servants Academy, greatly strengthens EKDDA’s capacity to develop a modern, flexible training system tailored to the challenges of AI and cloud computing. Our objective is a Public Administration that harnesses new technologies for the benefit of citizens and the nation effectively and efficiently.”
Yanna Andronopoulou, CEO of Microsoft Greece, Cyprus, and Malta, noted: “This collaboration exemplifies a productive partnership between the public and private sectors aimed at serving the greater good. It has been marked by consistent and effective collaboration, and it serves as a practical case we proudly share within the global Microsoft ecosystem to illustrate how a nation can foster development and create opportunities through digital innovation.”
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