The University Research Institute of Applied Economic and Social Sciences (URI) was established by the P.D 52/8.3.1996, GG 46, part Α’ by the departments of the University of Macedonia (Economics, Business Administration, Accounting and Finance, International and European Studies, the Municipality of Kalamaria and the Association of Insurance Agents of N. Greece.
Among the most important Institute’s objectives, are the development and implementation of research projects related to economic and social issues, to host and organise seminars, scientific conferences and meetings. URI’s primary target is to enhance the bonds between the University and the local stakeholders and to promote regional, cross-border and international partnership. URI operates two autonomous bodies, its Public Opinion Research Unit (PORU) and the Competitiveness and Market observatory.
URI has significant experience in developing and implementing EU projects. It has implemented under the Measure 3.4 “development of common educational activities” of the INTERREG III/A – CARDS, the project “Environmental educational development in all educational levels”, as well as under the OP INTERREG III/A – PHARE, a “cross-border initiative for training in international accounting standards” under measure 2.3 “cooperation of educational institutes”. Also, URI was the coordinating lead partner of the EC project “A life-event oriented framework and platform for one-stop government “OneStopGov” FP6-2004-IST-4-026965» of 3,08M euros. URI has also implemented important research projects, funded by private entities and organizations; such as in 2010, the “Corruption and tax evasion project”, funded by Latsis foundation, in December 2009 the project “The impact of TIF in cities economies” funded by the Institute of Exhibitions Research.
The Public Opinion Research Unit (PORU) is an autonomous body operating under the University of Macedonia Research Institute PORU was founded in 2007 and since has conducted a numerous of studies, qualitative and quantitative surveys. PORU conducts survey polls regularly and a wide range of news networks had referred to PORU’s findings (for example Bloomberg, The Economist, New York Times and in national level skai.gr and SKAI TV).