UTech Lab Grand Opening: Remarks by the Ambassador (Nov.26, 2014)

Ambassador Pearce with President of Eugenides Foundation Mr. Leonidas Demetriades-Eugenides (State Department Photo)
Ambassador Pearce with President of Eugenides Foundation Mr. Leonidas Demetriades-Eugenides (State Department Photo)

UTech Lab Grand Opening
Eugenides Foundation
Wednesday, November 26, 2014, 7pm

(as prepared)

Αγαπητές φίλες και φίλοι…

President Demetriades-Eugenides, Eugenides Foundation members and staff, educators and friends of education, I’m honored to celebrate with you the opening of the UTech Lab. It was one of the greats of American history, Ben Franklin, who said, “tell me and I forget, teach me and I may remember, involve me and I learn.”  With its hands-on approach to education, the UTech Lab will involve many young men and women in the building blocks of science and technology.

More than a year ago, the Embassy started its collaboration with the Eugenides Foundation to develop a center where students could explore the uses of advanced technology.  And tonight, President Demetriades-Eugenides and I have signed a Memorandum of Understanding that signals our deep admiration for the work of this Foundation, and demonstrates the United States’ commitment to supporting science and technology education to foster critical thinking, encourage teamwork, and enhance creativity—all goals of this Lab.

Today’s opening is a practical example of the United States and Greece working together and of the dynamic partnership between our countries.

Creating opportunities for our youth is a goal that unites our two nations.  So we appreciate the chance to develop this special partnership between the Embassy and the Foundation.

I know we are all excited for a tour of the new lab, so let me give you one more quote, this one from a true citizen of the world, Albert Einstein. He said, “Logic will get you from A to B. Imagination will take you everywhere.  I’m happy to support UTech because the next Ben Franklin, the next Albert Einstein, the next Eugenios Eugenides, may come from here.

Αξιότιμες κυρίες και κύριοι καλησπέρα σας,

και σας ευχαριστώ θερμά για την ευγενική σας πρόσκληση!

Κυρίες και Κύριοι,

Δυό λόγια μόνο στα ελληνικά, αν μου επιτρέπετε…

Το  U-Tech Lab δημιουργήθηκε  με το εξής σκεπτικό:

Θέλαμε να υπάρχει στην Αθήνα ένας χώρος , τον οποίον  οι νέοι και οι νέες θα μπορούν να επισκέπτονται  τις ελεύθερες ώρες τους,  και όπου θα  έχουν τον κόσμο της τεχνολογίας στα χέρια τους.  Το U-Tech Lab θα τους δώσει την ευκαιρία να έχουν πρόσβαση στην παγκόσμια γνώση και ταυτόχρονα,  θα τους επιτρέψει  να αναπτύξουν δεξιότητες που θα τους φανούν χρήσιμες στην εύρεση εργασίας αργότερα.

Με τη  δημιουργία του U-Tech Lab,  η Αμερική θέλει και αυτή να βοηθήσει τα νέα παιδιά στην προσπάθεια που καταβάλλουν σήμερα για ένα καλύτερο αύριο.

Σας ευχαριστώ πολύ!