Nobel laureate economist Christopher Pissaridis honored the NCSR

On Monday, April 7, 2025 at 7:00 pm in the large hall of the NCSR (Central Building, University of Panepistimiou), an honorary doctorate of the Departments of Economics and Businesses and Organizations of the School of Economics and Political Sciences of the University of Athens was awarded the Honorary Ph.D. Sir Christoforos Pissaridis, Professor of Finance at London School of Economics and University of Cyprus, Academhand holds a Nobel Prize in Economics Award (2010).

The ceremony was attended, among other things, the Ambassador of the Republic of Cyprus in Athens Stavros Augustides and the new Secretary General of Higher Education, former Rector of the Athens University of Economics and Business (OPA), Professor Dimitris Bourantonis.

The address was made by the Rector of the NCSR, Professor Gerasimos Sias.

The presentation of the work and personality of the honored was made by the Vice -Rector of Economics and Development, Professor Aristides Samitas.

The honored speech followed:

– Reading the texts of the School of the School, the Announcement and the Doctoral Diploma was made by the Board of Directors and Deputy Chairman of the Department of Economics, Professor Dimitrios News.

– The Dean of the School of Economic and Political Science, Professor, Prof. Nikolaos Heriotis.

– The performance of the Honorary Doctoral Diploma was made by the President of the Department of Business Administration and Organizations, Professor Dimitrios Thomas.

– the performance of the honorary board to the honorable SIR Christopher made by the Rector of the NCSR, Professor Gerasimos Sias.

Followed by a speech by the honored professor, Sir Christopher Pissaridesentitled: ‘Artificial intelligence and its impact on the labor market‘

In his address the Rector of the NCSR professor Gerasimos Sias He mentioned among other things: « His contribution to economic science culminates in the development of the famous search and matching model of labor markets, which radically conveyed the theoretical framework of macroeconomic analysis. With this innovative model, he offered new tools of understanding unemployment, interpreting not only the existence of inactivity in the labor market, but also the institutional and information imperfections that prevent the effective matching of positions and workforce.

The international recognition of this contribution was sealed with the award of the Nobel Prize in Economics in 2010. This great distinction was justified by a scientific course characterized by spiritual consistency, theoretical deepening and uninterrupted link between the theory with our great issues. But it was also a great honor for the whole Hellenism in Cyprus, Greece and throughout the Greek community.

In his long academic journey, the honored has taken on important positions of responsibility in leading international institutions and organizations. He has worked with the European Commission, the European Investment Bank and the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development, contributing substantially to planning policies for sustainable economic growth.

He has also served as president of the European Economic Union and the UK’s Royal Economic Society, confirming his international influence and guidance on scientific dialogue. Finally, he is a regular member of the Academy of Athens and has been honored with the title of Knight by the British Basel.

Professor Pissaridis’ writing is just as important and widely recognized. In his book Equilibrium Umployment Theory, which is now considered classic in the field of macroeconomics, it has contributed decisively to the way in which unemployment approaches the theoretical and empirical level.

In a speech, deeply humanitarian, it steadily defends the need for policies to serve social cohesion and fair prosperity. In a recent interview with the University of Athens newspaper, Professor Pissaridis has highlighted as a top priority for the European Union the need to enhance productivity and competitiveness through a strategy of inclusive development. He pointed out that this can only be achieved through the exploitation of new technologies, with the level of robotics and artificial intelligence. His approach highlights the importance of technological innovation as a lever of sustainable development in a European environment seeking cohesion and new foundations for the future.

It is worth, in the context of today’s ceremony, to highlight the special relationship of Professor Pissarides with our University. Since 1988, in the framework of the Postgraduate Program in Applied Economic and Finance, an eight -year collaboration has been inaugurated with the London School of Economics, in which Professor Pissaridis had a central role. In 2017, invited by the Department, he participated as a rapporteur in a scientific conference, confirming his timeless connection to our academic community – a link that is sealing with the title of the Honorary Doctor. It should be noted that Sir Christoforos Pissaridis is the 23rd Nobel Prize holder who is awarded an honorary doctorate at our university in the second century since its founding. « 

Photos: Dimitris Konstantinidis

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QRQ0GHMZL2O