JOINT POSTGRADUATE PROGRAMME
Digital Innovation and Startup Entrepreneurship
In collaboration with the National Technical University of Athens
Starting Date: October 2022
Duration: 4 semesters (part time: up to 8 semesters)
ECTS: 120
until 10/7/2022
Joint MSc in Digital Innovation and Startup Entrepreneurship: University of the Aegean and the National Technical University of Athens
The objective of the joint MSc in Digital Innovation and Startup Entrepreneurship is to provide specialized training in startup firms management through both theoretical and applied topics in contemporary e-commerce: digital marketing techniques and strategies, business models, the role of information systems in modern businesses, digital startups and digital services. The graduates of the joint MSc programme will gain important and essential knowledge and skills for their professional development. They will be able to think outside-the-box and embark on business activitiesthat will target an international audience and will be able to grow rapidly. Honours graduates will have the opportunity to discuss possible collaboration with affiliated companies and organisations in Greece and abroad.
This postgraduate programme is in accordance to the clauses of Law 4485/17, in combination with Law 4009/11, and is subject to the Regulations of Studies for the postgraduate programmes of studies, effective after their validation from the University’s Special Configuration Senate. Greek Government Gazette issue for the establishment of the postgraduate programme: 2857/B/17.07.2018.
Entry Requirements
- Degree or diploma holders in informatics and communications, engineering, sciences, technology, economy or administration, or equivalent fields of study, from Greek universities or Technical Educational Institutions, or international institutions that are officially recognized by the Greek state
- Graduates from Greek military higher education institutions
Candidates evaluation
Undergraduate studies: candidates are evaluated based on the grade of their first degree or, if the candidates have not graduated yet, based on the average grade of the courses they have completed so far.
Background and specialized knowledge: candidates are evaluated based on the average number of successfully completed undergraduate courses which are related to the topic of the MSc.
General evaluation: candidates are also evaluated based on any additional information, including their interview with the Department’s committee, their references, peer-reviewed publications in scientific journals and international conference proceedings, participation in research and development projects, etc.
Candidates evaluation goes through two stages. During the first stage, candidates are evaluated based on information included in their online application form and attached documents. During the second stage, candidates who meet the standard requirements are called for an interview (in-person or online). Candidate evaluation takes place in June for first-period applicants and in September for second-period applicants.
The evaluation is carried out by a committee made up of the Department’s professors and adheres to the evaluation criteria that are specified in Article 8 of the Department’s Regulations of Studies.
The names of the successful candidates are posted on the MSc webpage in July for first-period applicants and in September for second-period applicants. Successful candidates are notified by phone or email.
Syllabus
Course ID | Course | Press | ECTS |
---|---|---|---|
7001 | Startup Business Management | Compulsory | 7,5 |
7002 | Financial Administration | Compulsory | 7,5 |
7003 | Innovation and Entrepreneurship | Compulsory | 7,5 |
7004 | Digital Innovation: Special Issues and Case Studies | Compulsory | 7,5 |
Course ID | Course | Type | ECTS |
---|---|---|---|
7005 | Startup Simulator | Optional | 7,5 |
7006 | Digital Marketing | Compulsory | 7,5 |
7007 | Information Systems for Enterprise Resource Planning | Compulsory | 7,5 |
7008 | Big, Open and Linked Data Management | Optional | 5 |
7009 | Digital Technologies and Web Services | Optional | 5 |
7010 | Electronic Supply Chain | Optional | 2,5 |
7011 | Project Management for Information Systems Development | Optional | 2,5 |
Course ID | Course | Type | ECTS |
---|---|---|---|
7012 | Digital Product Development Methods and Practices | Optional | 7,5 |
7013 | Emerging Information and Communication Technologies | Optional | 7,5 |
7014 | Business Analytics | Optional | 7,5 |
7015 | eBusiness Summer School | Optional | 7,5 |
7016 | Participation in Business Plan Development Contest | Optional | 7,5 |
7017 | Internship in a Startup or Incubator | Optional | 7,5 |
Course ID | Course | Type | ECTS |
---|---|---|---|
7000 | Msc Thesis | Compulsory | 30 |
Courses Description
7001 | Startup Business Management |
The objective of the course is to familiarize students with business and organisations management, with the main financial, production and marketing functions of enterprises, as well as with information systems and smart organisation tools. The course includes the following modules:
Students are evaluated based on attendance and active participation in both class discussions and decisions concerning the weekly content of the course. For their final assessment, students are evaluated based on their performance in the final exam and in individual or group projects. | |
7002 | Financial Administration |
The purpose of the course is to provide students with the necessary knowledge regarding the financial operations of modern enterprises. The following subjects are discussed:
Students are evaluated based on attendance and active participation in both class discussions and decisions concerning the weekly content of the course. For their final assessment, students are evaluated based on their performance in the final exam and in individual or group projects. | |
7003 | Innovation and Entrepreneurship |
The course focuses on the need to persistently innovate for the sustainable and robust business development in an international and rapidly changing technological environment. Topics of the course mainly cover knowledge management, patents and diversification strategy, innovation models and international business expansion. Particular emphasis is given to the concept of entrepreneurship and its role in the economic development and growth of the company, while simultaneously recognizing the key mechanisms of generating new knowledge and the typical phases in the development process of new ICT products and services. Students are evaluated based on attendance and active participation in both class discussions and decisions concerning the weekly content of the course. For their final assessment, students are evaluated based on their performance in the final exam and in individual or group projects. | |
7004 | Digital Innovation: Special Issues and Case Studies |
The aim of the course is to present real cases of digital innovation and their management. Studies include cases of success and failure of digital innovations. The reasons for the failure or success of each case are analysed. The course also includes presentations and interviews by market executives, creating an interactive communication with students on subjects chosen by the latter and the professor. Students are evaluated based on attendance and active participation in both class discussions and decisions concerning the weekly content of the course. For their final assessment, students are evaluated based on their performance in the final exam and in individual or group projects. | |
7006 | Digital Marketing |
This course provides students with the relevant theoretical background, but mainly practical approaches to contemporary issues in the field of digital marketing. Emphasis is given on: a) communication strategy and promotion via various digital channels (web, mobile, social networks, etc.), b) consumer digital behaviour process and models, c) customization and personalization of digital content, d) usability of websites, e) CRM information systems and f) advanced digital marketing analytics. Students are evaluated based on attendance and active participation in both class discussions and decisions concerning the weekly content of the course. For their final assessment, students are evaluated based on their performance in the final exam and in individual or group projects. | |
7007 | Digital Business Resources Management |
In the last decade there have been extensive developments in the area of ‘Digital Management of Enterprise Resources’, which currently constitutes a major worldwide tool for innovation and new enterpreneurship, as well as for the efficiency and competitiveness of existing firms. Numerous software applications – digital tools have been developed, which support a wide range of methodologies/algorithms that perform various forms of management of different types of enterprise resources. Furthermore, they become easily and directly accesible and usable by firms of all sizes, at low cost, without having to make big investments, though Cloud/SaaS services. Objective of this course is to provide basic knowledge and familiarization with the digital management of enterprise resources, using digital tools that implement various methodologies/algorithms/approaches for managing various types of enterprise resources, e.g. financial, human, technological (equipment), materials (and in general inventory), and also relational and knowledge resources, business networks, etc. We focus on the basic forms of digital management of enterprise resources, which are implemented by the main modules of Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) systems, which can however be implemented/provided by autonomous information systems/software packages. The course consists of the following:
This course also includes gaining direct hands-on experiences concerning the above modules. For each of them there is initially a description of the structure of its main files (both master and transaction files) as well as its functionality, and then follows a presentation and analysis of the latter in a real ERP environment, the Microsoft Navision ERP, implementation of a series of business scenarios in it, and then relevant assignments/small projects. The asssessment of students in this course will be based on performance in the final exam, as well as in the above assignments/small projects. | |
7000 | MSc Thesis |
The goal of the MSc thesis is to promote individual research and develop research skills and abilities. In writing their thesis, students can be assisted by a member of the faculty. |
7005 | Startup Simulator |
The objective of this course is to provide students with a realistic view of key management issues in the real world by applying the principles of management and decision-making to a modern simulation environment. Participants, in teams, undertake the management of a newly created PC manufacturing and marketing company and assign themselves administrative roles that correspond to the company’s operations (general management, production, sales, marketing, financial administration). In this context, they try to draw up and implement a complete business plan in order to understand the way that a company’s operations are combined and interact; they also become aware of the impact of competition, which requires constant analysis of the circumstances, as well as decision-making at a tactical and operational level. Additionally, the course includes lectures that focus on important issues of strategic management and business planning, as well as the management of a company’s individual operations. Particular emphasis is placed on providing and discussing representative, real-life examples from well-known companies and organizations. Students are evaluated based on attendance and active participation in both class discussions and decisions concerning the weekly content of the course. For their final assessment, students are evaluated based on their performance in the final exam and in individual or group projects. | |
7008 | Big, Open and Linked Data Management |
The aim of this course is to familiarise students with the management of different data from various sources. The course will present the different types of data (big, linked, ledger), as well as tools for their management (R, Linda). Sources of open data from around the world will also be presented with regards to their utilisation and the production of value-added services. The course will include assignments concerning tools used for managing different types of data, as well as methods for their analysis. Students of the course will be able to work as data analysts. Students are evaluated based on attendance and active participation in both class discussions and decisions concerning the weekly content of the course. For their final assessment, students are evaluated based on their performance in the final exam and in individual or group projects. | |
7009 | Digital Technologies and Web Services |
The aim of the course is to show students the added value and new opportunities that digital technologies bring to modern organizations, the economy and society. Starting with digital infrastructure technologies, such as the Internet and the World Wide Web, the course goes into modern B2C, B2B, G2C and C2C systems that enhance existing business models. In latter stages of the course emphasis is given on the importance of web services, cloud services, enterprise data intelligence and enterprise intelligence, as well as the challenge of interoperability when implementing digital technologies. Moreover, students will undertake optional work presenting modern digital technologies and analysing them in business terms. Real business analysis is also part of the course’s material. Students are evaluated based on attendance and active participation in both class discussions and decisions concerning the weekly content of the course. For their final assessment, students are evaluated based on their performance in the final exam and in individual or group projects. | |
7010 | Electronic Supply Chain |
The module is designed for increasing the efficiency of the main supply chain processes (e.g. procurement, warehousing and freight transport) and for minimizing the operational cost via the use of the Internet and advanced information systems (IS). The module drills down into IS such as warehouse management systems, vehicle routing systems, fleet management systems, etc. that are mainly used for the optimization of the key supply chain processes as well as for the increase of the customer service level. Students are evaluated based on attendance and active participation in both class discussions and decisions concerning the weekly content of the course. For their final assessment, students are evaluated based on their performance in the final exam and in individual or group projects. | |
7011 | Project Management for Information Systems Development |
The aim of the course is to familiarise students with modern techniques and methods of ICT project management and development of information systems. The course starts by introducing the basic concepts of project management, such as a project’s lifecycle (design, organisation, programming, and evaluation of results), as well as related tools and methodologies (Gantt, PERT, CPM, CPM-Cost, PRINCE2, project management, etc.). Following that, these concepts will be linked to the specific problem of ICT project management (software, infrastructures, integrated information systems, etc.). In this context, the implementation of relevant methodologies such as serial (e.g. Waterfall) and iterative techniques (Agile, Spiral etc.) will be presented, as well as relevant case studies. Finally, the correlation of the above with the wider context of an information system’s lifecycle will be analysed. Students are evaluated based on attendance and active participation in both class discussions and decisions concerning the weekly content of the course. For their final assessment, students are evaluated based on their performance in the final exam and in individual or group projects. | |
7012 | Digital Product Development Methods and Practices |
The aim of the course is to familiarise students with the methods of designing/ developing digital products. Based on modern management methods and procedures, students will learn to perceive business needs, understand customer needs, design prototypes, record development requirements, develop verification and validation documents, as well as track success through the use of metrics. The course will introduce the principles of design thinking, lean startup and flexible product development (e.g. Scrum, Kanban, eXtreme Programming). For their course assignment, students will be divided into groups and undertake the development and testing of an idea for a digital product (with or without the use of coding), which will be presented in the classroom. Students are evaluated based on attendance and active participation in both class discussions and decisions concerning the weekly content of the course. For their final assessment, students are evaluated based on their performance in the final exam and in individual or group projects. | |
7013 | Emerging Information and Communication Technologies |
The course’s objective is to investigate the impact of the 4th Industrial Revolution (Industry 4.0) on sustainable urban development. Specifically, the course’s aim is to analyse methodologies and models that can support the utilisation of new/innovative technologies in an urban environment to provide the necessary services and infrastructure that will maximize social, economic and environmental benefits. The course will present models for composition of multidimensional data, as well as integrated assessment frameworks pertaining to cities and organisations with regard to the effective integration of intelligence into their functions in every dimension of sustainable development. In addition, one of the course’s objectives is to assess systems that can support the design of new models of economic development at a local or regional level, by exploiting intelligent technologies, as well as natural resources and human/social capital. Individual applications of such systems at a city and building level will be presented extensively, along with the results they produced concerning specific economic, social and environmental indicators. Students are evaluated based on attendance and active participation in both class discussions and decisions concerning the weekly content of the course. For their final assessment, students are evaluated based on their performance in the final exam and in individual or group projects. | |
7014 | Business Analytics |
The course’s aim is to introduce social media data analysis in order to draw conclusions for the development of business strategies and marketing plans. The course will present:
Students are evaluated based on attendance and active participation in both class discussions and decisions concerning the weekly content of the course. For their final assessment, students are evaluated based on their performance in the final exam and in individual or group projects. | |
7015 | eBusiness Summer School |
The eBiz Summer School (eBSS) is designed to introduce participants to the world of multi-channel marketing and provide them with the advanced technical skills needed to identify, engage in and develop customer relationships in a digital environment. The Summer School is targeted at marketing managers who want to improve their skills and learn about the latest developments through their co-operation with professionals who are willing to share their knowledge and experience. Participants will learn how to increase their business visibility through proper marketing strategies that exploit search engines, social networks and online advertising. Students are evaluated based on attendance and active participation in both class discussions and decisions concerning the content of the course, as well as on their performance in the final individual project. | |
7016 | Participation in Business Plan Development Contest |
The course’s aim is the practical application of knowledge and abilities acquired from the postgraduate programme through students’ participation in a real-life entrepreneurship competition, with the assistance and guidance of a faculty member. The proof of participation and business plan submitted in the competition are the course’s deliverables, according to which student performance will be evaluated. Students may submit proposals to the Aegean Start-ups Entrepreneurial Competition. | |
7017 | Internship in a Startup or Incubator |
The course’s aim is the practical application of knowledge and abilities acquired from the postgraduate programme through participation in a business incubator for the development of a business idea. Proof of participation, the report of the activities and the implemented business idea are the course’s deliverables, according to which student performance will be evaluated. |
Part-Time Students
The distribution of courses per semester is indicative. It is possible to complete the studies in less than the planned time.
1st semester
- 7001: Startup Business Management
- 7003: Innovation and Entrepreneurship
2nd semester
- 7006: Digital Marketing
- 7007: Information Systems for Enterprise Resource Planning
3rd semester
- 7002: Financial Administration
- 7004: Digital Innovation: Special Issues and Case Studies
4th semester
- 7005: Startup Simulator
- 7008: Big, Open and Linked Data Management
- 7010: Electronic Supply Chain
5th semester
- 7012: Digital Product Development Methods and Practices
- 7015: eBusiness Summer School
6th semester
- 7016: Participation in Business Plan Development Contest
7th semester
- 7017: Internship in a Startup or Incubator
8th semester
- 7000: Msc Thesis
Academic Personnel
Teaching Personnel
Course | Semester | Instructor | Webpage |
Digital Innovation: Special Issues and Case Studies | 1 | Professor Ioannis Charalampidis (Univ. of the Aegean) | URL |
Startup Business Management | 1 | Dr. Charis Alexopoulos (Univ. of the Aegean) | URL |
Innovation and Entrepreneurship | 1 | Dr. Ioanna Kasteli (NTUA) | URL |
Financial Administration | 1 | Professor Ioannis Psaras (NTUA) | URL |
Digital Marketing | 2 | Assistant Professor Dimitrios Drosos (AUEB) Assistant Professor Peggy Papadopoulou (Univ. of the Aegean) | |
Startup Simulator | 2 | Professor Dimitrios Askounis (NTUA) | URL |
Electronic Supply Chain | 2 | Dr. Gerasimos Kontos (Univ. of the Aegean) | URL |
Information Systems for Enterprise Resource Planning | 2 | Professor Euripidis Loukis (Univ. of the Aegean) | URL |
Big, Open and Linked Data Management | 2 | Professor Dimitrios Askounis (NTUA) Dr. Charis Alexopoulos (Univ. of the Aegean) | |
Digital Product Development Methods and Practices | 3 | Professor Elias Carayannis (George Washington University) | URL |
Guest Speakers
Name | Position | Profile | Organization |
Dr. Dimitris Stamoulis | Financial Technologies Expert | Business Consultant | Lecturer, NTUA | URL | |
Apostolos Constantinidis | Investment Manager – Business Analyst at Reset Consultants SA | URL | |
Dr. Dimitrios Tsigkos | Founder at Starttech Ventures | URL | |
Dr. Efthimios Konstantinidis | Associate Professor of Digital Marketing at the University of Twente | URL | |
Dr. Dimitrios Salampasis | Director, FinTech Thinker & Researcher | Lecturer, Swinburne University of Technology | URL | |
Dr Alex Eleftheriadis | Chief Scientist at Enghouse | URL | |
Georgios Karamanolis | Co-Founder & CTO/CIO at Crowdpolicy | URL | |
Fay Orfanou | Co-founder and managing partner of AELIA | URL | |
Marcel Cremer | Athens Lawyer, managing partner of Cremer & Partners | URL | |
Spyros Kapetanakis | Business Analyst at GRNET | URL | |
Fotis Draganidis | Senior ISV Partner Development Manager for Greece and Malta/CEE HQ | URL | |
Ioanna Samprakou | DIMERA GROUP Development Director | URL | |
Dimitrios Tsigkos | Founder at Starttech Ventures | URL | |
Dr. Enrico Ferro | Director of Blockchain Innovation Observatory @ Links Foundation | URL |
Fees and Funding
The tuition fees amount to €4,500 and can be paid in four installments as follows: (a) €500 upon the student’s admission to the 1st semester of studies (early October), (b) €1,000 at the end of the 1st semester (February), (c) €1,500 at the end of the 2nd semester (June), and (d) €1,500 at the beginning of the 3rd semester (October of the following year). No refunds can be given for fees or part of fees that have already been paid.
The postgraduate studies programme may offer a number of grants, conditional on academic performance, to full-time students. The amount of funding, requirements, method of funding, as well as the rights and responsibilities of grant-holders are decided by the Department’s Assembly (par. 4, Article 35 of Law 4485/2017).
Full-time/part-time study
The full-time study programme is completed in four academic semesters and combines blended and model types of learning, including: [a] a five-day intensive lecture cycle held at the Department’s premises at the beginning or the end of every academic semester (October, January, June), [b] an online learning environment that supports the learning process during the first three semesters. The fourth semester is reserved for the completion of the MSc thesis. Class attendance and participation in any educational activity, such as projects, assignments, etc., is compulsory.
Students can receive their MSc title upon completion of the MSc programme in four academic semesters or in three academic semesters if they have collected the required ECTS points.
Face-to-face classes and the final graduation ceremony are held in the National Technical University of Athens.
Working students may choose to study part-time. Working students have to prove that they work at least 20 hours per week and provide a work contract or certificate. Part-time study is also suitable for non-working students who cannot meet the demands of studying full-time, due to health or family issues, military service, or other personal reasons. In such cases, a Special Interinstitutional Committee decides whether a student is eligible for part-time study. The duration of the part-time study programme must be no longer than eight academic semesters.
How to Apply
Applicants are required to fill in a candidacy application form, attaching the following documents:
- A copy of their ID or passport
- A CV
- A copy of their degree/diploma or a certificate of studies completion
- Peer-reviewed publications, if there are any
- Certificates of professional or research activities, if there are any
- Two references
- A copy of the candidate’s undergraduate dissertation or its title and abstract if it has not been completed; in case the candidate was not required to write a dissertation during their undergraduate studies, they should mention so in writing
- Proof of English language competency equivalent to or higher than B2 level (according to the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages)
- Any other document that the candidate believes it might support their application
The application and all digital copies of documents must be submitted online on the “Nautilus” platform (https://nautilus.aegean.gr/). Hard copies can be submitted in person during admission.
Regulations of Studies
Below you will find all the relevant documents regarding the Regulations of Studies for the postgraduate programme of studies (in Greek):
- ΦΕΚ 4357 Β – 01.10.2018 (Regulations of Studies)
- ΦΕΚ 1935 Β – 19.04.2022 (Amendment)
Interviews
Download articles for the postgraduate programme’s interviews:
Theses
Please follow the link for the suggested master’s thesis subjects.
You can find information about the authoring of the master’s thesis here, as well as a template here.
Press
Articles and Interviews about the Msc Programme (in Greek)
Academic Calendar
Academic Calendar
Hours: 18:00 – 21:00
Monday 14/6: Digital Μάρκετινγκ
Wednesday 16/6: Startup Simulator
Friday 18/6: Information Systems for Enterprise Resource Planning
The exams of the 3 courses will take place online.
Day | Hours | Course | Instructor |
---|---|---|---|
Monday | 18:00 – 21:00 | Information Systems for Enterprise Resource Planning | E. Loukis S. Arvanitis |
Tuesday | 18:00 – 21:00 | Digital Marketing (until 5-9/4) | P. Papadopoulou |
Wednesday | 18:00 – 21:00 | Digital Marketing (από 19-23/4) | D. Drosos |
Wednesday | 18:00 – 21:00 | Electronic Supply Chain (for 5 3-hour lectures, until 2/4) | G. Kontos |
Thursday | 18:00 – 21:00 | Big, Open and Linked Data Management (from 5-9/4) | D. Askounis Ch. Alexopoulos |
Friday | 18:00 – 21:00 | Startup Simulator | D. Askounis |
1 | 15-19/2/2021 | No classes |
2 | 22-26/2/2021 | 1st Lecture: Remote |
3 | 1-5/3/2021 | 2nd Lecture: Remote |
4 | 8-12/3/2021 | 3rd Lecture: Remote |
5 | 15-19/3/2021 | No classes |
6 | 22-26/3/2021 | 4th Lecture: Remote |
7 | 29/3 – 2/4/2021 | 5th Lecture: Remote |
8 | 5-9/4/2021 | 6th Lecture: Remote |
9 | 12-16/4/2021 | 7th Lecture: Remote |
10 | 19-23/4/2021 | 8th Lecture: Remote |
11 | 26-30/4/2021 | No classes |
12 | 3-7/5/2021 | No classes |
13 | 10-14/5/2021 | 9th Lecture: Remote |
14 | 17-21/5/2021 | 10th Lecture: Remote |
15 | 24-28/5/2021 | 11th Lecture: Remote |
16 | 31/5 – 4/6/2021 | 12th Lecture: Remote |
17 | 7-11/6/2021 | No classes |
Spring Semester Exams |
Public holiday | 15/3/2021 |
Public holiday | 25/3/2021 |
Easter Holidays | 26/4 – 7/5/2021 |
Public holiday | 1/5/2021 |
I have received important knowledge from my studies, as well as great experience from incubators, setup and operation of start ups, authoring of business proposals, combining digital innovation with financial background.
The MSc Digital Innovation offered the necessary academic knowledge, but also made me think out of the box and do business professionally for me and my clients.
The combination of theoretical knowledge, the practical application in contests and previous experience are what a modern businessman needs, whether for an existing business, or a start-up.