This was my professional appointment, a meeting organized specifically for me based on my profile and requests. Kudos to Elizabeth on this one!

I met with Dr. Hercules Bourantas, Professor of Studies, and Gregory Yovanof, Graduate Program Director. Yes, his name is Hercules...cool, huh.  Actually, in Greek it is spelled Iraklis.  Professor Yovanof attended the University of Southern California and worked for such firms as Kodak and HP.

The AIT was formed in 2002 and all courses are taught in English. They aren’t a university as that would be illegal (see my earlier post…The Same but Different), but they do offer a degree from Carnegie Mellon University in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. They also offer seminars from Harvard and summer sessions.

AIT has five focuses:
1. Optical Networking
2. Grid Computing
3. Broadband Wireless
4. Security Algorythms
5. Software Engineering

The school was on spring break so there weren't many students around.  The labs are really cool and I got all geeked out.  I especially liked the security algorythms lab where they showed me a system that can track people through a room based on the sound of their voice.  They had some cool stuff...very big brother like, but cool with some real-world security applications. 

AIT will become a university when the Greek law changes, which is proposed to happen within the next 2 – 3 years.

I’d really like to see some exchanges and a possible working relationship with the NCSU College of Management. The two schools have complimentary focuses and programs.  This is certainly an action item for me when I get home.  It is nice to make connections that I hope will grow into sustainable relationships...