The 1st Pan-Hellenic Forum on Non-Formal Education & Certification 2026, organized by the D GROUP, concluded with great success
The 1st Pan-Hellenic Forum on Non-Formal Education & Certification 2026, organized by D GROUP with massive participation, redefined the roadmap for the future of the vocational training and certification sector. The conference took place on August 31 and September 1, 2026, at THE STANLEY Hotel in Athens. Centered on the themes “Redefining the Future” and “Innovation at the Heart of Education,” the Forum served as a premier institutional gathering for the advancement of education in Greece.
The conference proceedings opened with a welcome message from the Minister of Labor and Social Security, Ms. Niki Kerameos, followed immediately by remarks from the president of the D GROUP, Dr. Dimitris Derpanis. Dr. Derpanis presented the Group’s strategic vision, announcing landmark initiatives to shield the market, such as the complete transition to remote exams starting in October 2026 to ensure absolute transparency, as well as the provision of technological and communication tools to the network of partners through the Group’s new companies, D Talos and ADaMΑ.
The event was attended by prominent institutional representatives, market leaders, media figures, and members of the academic and educational community, who presented their own roadmap for upskilling. The strategic remarks by the keynote speakers made a particularly strong impression:
The heads of the D GROUP companies also took the stage at the Forum, highlighting the Group’s strong synergies: UCERT’s General Manager, Ms. Kelly Manitara, emphasized the role of certification as a passport to professional mobility, while U STUDIES’ General Manager, Mr. Ioannis Karanikas, focused on high-quality training as an urgent necessity in a rapidly changing job market, highlighting the Group’s commitment to high-value-added educational programs, both co-funded and self-funded.
Aristides Chronakis, General Manager of the newly established IT and technology company D Talos, presented the digital transformation of education through secure cloud ecosystems, while the General Manager of ADaMΑ, the Group’s new advertising agency, Ms. Christiana Mantalvanou, highlighted the Management’s generous support for the digital and communications upgrade of the affiliated Lifelong Learning Centers (LLLCs).
The General Manager of U Consulting, Mr. Alexis Soukas, presented the consulting firm’s services and the growth opportunities available to companies operating in the field of non-formal education, while the General Manager of U Constructions, Mr. Fragiskos Droggitis, highlighted the need for certified technical personnel in modern, green infrastructure.
The eloquent remarks by the CEO of U RESORT, Mr. Yiannis Litos, clearly articulated the company’s vision to create a four-season mountain tourism destination at the Vasilitsa National Ski Center. Mr. Dimitris Siantas, Commercial Director of D Group, spoke about the upcoming project to transform the 7th Art Arcade into an urban landmark that will combine contemporary culinary trends with traditional mountain flavors. The event took on an artistic tone thanks to the speeches by the Directors of the 10TH Theater School, Ms. Froso Korrou and Mr. Dimitris Kouroumbalis, who described the work being carried out at the Group’s drama school.
The strategic panel discussions, moderated by renowned journalists Dimitris Christoulias and Konstantina Chelidoni, played a key role in drawing valuable conclusions. The discussions featured PASYKEK President Stefanos Goulas, as well as numerous owners of private healthcare facilities from across Greece, who analyzed the current challenges facing the sector.
The Minister of Health, Mr. Adonis Georgiadis, Ms. Christina Kariniotaki, Executive Director of Hellas Cert; Mr. Apostolos Pontas, legal advisor to D GROUP; and PASOK Member of Parliament Mr. Manolis Christodoulakis.
The conference, which was supported by media outlets Real.gr, Reporter, HUFFPOST, and Demokratia as communication sponsors, set new standards for transparency, quality, and technological advancement in Lifelong Learning and Certification.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2By-kP0h19g
The 1st Pan-Hellenic Forum on Non-Formal Education & Certification 2026, organized by D GROUP with massive participation, redefined the roadmap for the future of the vocational training and certification sector. The conference took place on August 31 and September 1, 2026, at THE STANLEY Hotel in Athens. Centered on the themes “Redefining the Future” and “Innovation at the Heart of Education,” the Forum served as a premier institutional gathering for the advancement of education in Greece.
The conference proceedings opened with a welcome message from the Minister of Labor and Social Security, Ms. Niki Kerameos, followed immediately by remarks from the president of the D GROUP, Dr. Dimitris Derpanis. Dr. Derpanis presented the Group’s strategic vision, announcing landmark initiatives to shield the market, such as the complete transition to remote exams starting in October 2026 to ensure absolute transparency, as well as the provision of technological and communication tools to the network of partners through the Group’s new companies, D Talos and ADaMΑ.
The event was attended by prominent institutional representatives, market leaders, media figures, and members of the academic and educational community, who presented their own roadmap for upskilling. The strategic remarks by the keynote speakers made a particularly strong impression:
- Dr. Yannis Hatzitheodosiou (President of the Hellenic Association of Employers)
- Mr. Evangelos Konstantinou (CEO of the Hellenic Organization for the Development of Human Resources)
- Mr. George Kavvathas (President of the General Confederation of Greek Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises)
- Mr. George Christopoulos (President of OIELE)
- Mr. Dimitris Ramantzas (President of the So Easy Educational Group)
- Mr. George Chionis (Commercial Director of the EUROGNOSIS Group)
- By Mr. Christos Trapalis (Director of the Accreditation Directorate for Certification Bodies at ESYD)
- Ms. Zoe Hatzis (Vice President of D GROUP & President of UCERT).
- Mr. Syros Koskovolis (President of PASEKALO)
The heads of the D GROUP companies also took the stage at the Forum, highlighting the Group’s strong synergies: UCERT’s General Manager, Ms. Kelly Manitara, emphasized the role of certification as a passport to professional mobility, while U STUDIES’ General Manager, Mr. Ioannis Karanikas, focused on high-quality training as an urgent necessity in a rapidly changing job market, highlighting the Group’s commitment to high-value-added educational programs, both co-funded and self-funded.
Aristides Chronakis, General Manager of the newly established IT and technology company D Talos, presented the digital transformation of education through secure cloud ecosystems, while the General Manager of ADaMΑ, the Group’s new advertising agency, Ms. Christiana Mantalvanou, highlighted the Management’s generous support for the digital and communications upgrade of the affiliated Lifelong Learning Centers (LLLCs).
The General Manager of U Consulting, Mr. Alexis Soukas, presented the consulting firm’s services and the growth opportunities available to companies operating in the field of non-formal education, while the General Manager of U Constructions, Mr. Fragiskos Droggitis, highlighted the need for certified technical personnel in modern, green infrastructure.
The eloquent remarks by the CEO of U RESORT, Mr. Yiannis Litos, clearly articulated the company’s vision to create a four-season mountain tourism destination at the Vasilitsa National Ski Center. Mr. Dimitris Siantas, Commercial Director of D Group, spoke about the upcoming project to transform the 7th Art Arcade into an urban landmark that will combine contemporary culinary trends with traditional mountain flavors. The event took on an artistic tone thanks to the speeches by the Directors of the 10TH Theater School, Ms. Froso Korrou and Mr. Dimitris Kouroumbalis, who described the work being carried out at the Group’s drama school.
The strategic panel discussions, moderated by renowned journalists Dimitris Christoulias and Konstantina Chelidoni, played a key role in drawing valuable conclusions. The discussions featured PASYKEK President Stefanos Goulas, as well as numerous owners of private healthcare facilities from across Greece, who analyzed the current challenges facing the sector.
The Minister of Health, Mr. Adonis Georgiadis, Ms. Christina Kariniotaki, Executive Director of Hellas Cert; Mr. Apostolos Pontas, legal advisor to D GROUP; and PASOK Member of Parliament Mr. Manolis Christodoulakis.
The conference, which was supported by media outlets Real.gr, Reporter, HUFFPOST, and Demokratia as communication sponsors, set new standards for transparency, quality, and technological advancement in Lifelong Learning and Certification.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2By-kP0h19g
