UADPhilEcon's Official Launch

(Click on the photographs for a clearer image)

UADPhilEcon celebrated its first full academic year with a Formal Launch on Thursday 22nd April at the Great Hall of the University of Athens (main building on Panepistimiou Street).

The Hall filled up with students, prospective students, parents, teaching staff, academics from other departments and institutions, politicians, journalists etc. 

The proceedings began with a welcoming speech from the Dean of the Faculty of Law, Politics and Economics, Professor George Donatos.

Professor Costis Vaitsos then spoke in his capacity as Chair of the Doctoral Studies Committee on the broader issues regarding postgraduate studies in Greek Universities.

Yanis Varoufakis, Director of UADPhilEcon, completed the welcoming addresses by expounding on the Program's philosophy, and some of its practical concerns

At that point, the Head of the Department of Economics of the University of Athens, Professor Kyriakos Kioulafas, presented two awards (worth 1000 euros each) to the two students with the highest grades during the first semester of academic year 2003/4. They were Mr Tassos Patokos (left) and Mr Svet Danchev (right). Congratulations to both.

After the three brief welcoming addresses, and the award presentations, the audience was treated to two fascinating talks by our keynote speakers: Professors Tony Lawson (University of Cambridge) and David Laibman (City University of New York).

Professor Tony Lawson (University of Cambridge) spoke eloquently on the controversial issue of the value of modelling and mathematics (in the theory and practice of econonics). His title was: On the Value of Economic Methodology. For a copy of a related paper, press here. 

Professor Lawson's lecture was followed by Professor David Laibman (CUNY) whose intriguing title, The Deep Structure of the Present Moment, concealed a fascinating attempt to use the tools of political economy in order to understand the layers of the past that make up the present moment. For a recent paper on which Professor Laibman based his talk please press here.

Professors Yannis Stournaras, Nicholas Theocarakis, Yanis Varoufakis, David Laibman, Tony Lawson, Costis Vaitsos and George Donatos after the conclusion of UADPhilEcon's Official Launch, looking relieved that all went well. In the adjacent photograph, Yanis Varoufakis and Nicholas Theocarakis share a lighthearted monent.

A couple of images fromthe reception that followed. In the photograph on the left, Professors Bournova, Thomadakis and Athanasiou having a bite to eat. In the right hand side photograph, a guest of UADPhilEcon (Professor Fay Bourdara) is flanked by Professors Vaitsos and Theocarakis.

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A big thank you to all guests who honoured UADPhilEcon with their presence.

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