HELLENIC ACADEMIC Wednesday, November 20th, 2019 Remarks by George Agouridis, Member of the SNF BoD

Mr. President,

We are pleased and honored to be here today with you for the inauguration of the five newly renovated quarters at the Academy. Since its founding in 1828, the Academy has distinguished itself through the level of academic education it provides—in addition to military education—cultivating broadness of thought and spirit in its students.

In view of the Academy’s tradition of serving as an incubator for scientists and of its important ongoing work, the Stavros Niarchos Foundation (SNF) decided to support renovations of campus building infrastructure. This project is complemented and enriched by scholarships, also included in the SNF grant, to Greek officers for postgraduate studies abroad, in collaboration with the at West Point and the Naval Postgraduate School in the U.S.

Aiming to contribute to the safety and security of Greek citizens has been a common thread through SNF grants for over 23 years, motivated solely by a belief that as a public good for all citizens, it is an essential component of democracy. SNF has repeatedly provided support to the Greek army, police force, fire department, and coast guard. We support you and all those who serve daily to safeguard us, the public.

By the end of the year, the Foundation's grant for the renovation and extension of the Radiotherapy Department of the 401 Military Hospital of will be completed with the addition of two linear accelerators. A grant to the 251 Air Force General Hospital for the procurement of equipment for five departments of the hospital is also in progress. Public health and safety, in its broadest sense, is of the utmost importance for these grants, and the services of these two hospitals will be open to all.

Our duty as a Foundation is different from the duty you have undertaken. We will continue to do everything we can to support those promoting and defending the common good in and beyond.

Thank you.