Professor Yannis G. Valinakis

Yannis G. Valinakis

Professor Yannis G. Valinakis is Former Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs and currently Director of ZEBS International Business School, President of the Jean Monnet European Centre of Excellence at the University of Athens, and CEO of MEDITOURS S.A.

Political Career

Yannis Valinakis became Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs (2004-2009), responsible for Political and European Affairs, and Member of Parliament (2004-2009). As Deputy Minister he served as Greece’s chief negotiator in all major European multilateral negotiations,including on the European Constitutional and (later on) Lisbon Treaty (2004-2008), the EU 2007-2013 Budget, and the Union’s enlargement and association negotiations.

In his ministerial capacity, he participated in more than 30 EU ministerial meetings and in more than 30 Ministerial Meetings of NATO, The Council of Europe, OSCE, Black Sea Cooperation Council, South East European Cooperation Process, Mediterranean Forum; he substituted for the Foreign Minister or the Prime Minister as head of the Greek delegation in a large number of Ministerial meetings / Heads of State-Government summits including the EU-GCC, EU-Asia, EU-ASEAN, EU-Latin America, EU-Africa and Southeast European Cooperation Process.

Decorations and Distinctions

In 2013 he was honoured by the European Commission with the “Jean Monnet Chair ad Personam”, in 1995 with the Jean Monnet Chair in European Diplomacy and in 2000, 2010 and 2017 with the “Jean Monnet Centre of Excellence”. Yannis Valinakis also holds numerous international state decorations (including by the Federal Republic of Germany, Italy, China, Denmark, Norway etc) and distinctions.

Academic Career

Born in Athens in 1955, Yannis Valinakis studied Law at the University of Athens and Political Science at the University of Heidelberg. He completed postgraduate studies at the University of Sorbonne - Paris I (DEA in International Politics, DEA in Defense Policy, DEAin History of International Relations) and received his Ph.D. (with honours) from the same University, in 1981. He became Assistant Professor at the University of Thrace Law School in 1983, Professor of International Relations at Athens University in 1992, Jean Monnet Professor in European Diplomacy in 1996, Dean of the Law School at Neapolis University in 2013, Jean Monnet Professor Ad Personam in 2013 and Visiting Professor, Law School, Nicosia University (2014-2015).
Professor Valinakis has also taught at various Greek and foreign universities (London School of Economics and Political Science, Neapolis University etc) and has published widely in five languages in the fields of European and International affairs and Strategic Studies. His more recent major works are: “Greece’s EEZ”, (2020); “Exiting the Crisis; Realistic Proposals”(2015), “Greece’s European Policy Making", London, LSE, 2012; “Greek Foreign and European Policy”, 2010 etc.

Research-Related Positions

Professor Valinakis served as Member of the Board and of the Academic Council of the W. Martens Centre for European Studies in Brussels (2008-2022), Director of Studies and General Director of the Hellenic Foundation for European and Foreign Policy (ELIAMEP) and Director General and President of the Jean Monnet European Centre of Excellence at Athens University (since 2010). He has also served as member of the Editorial Board of the “European View” journal (since 2005), Resident Fellow at the Institute for East-West Studies in New York (1982-1983), Senior Fellow at the Institute for Security Studies of the European Union (Paris 1997-1998), Visiting Senior Fellow at the European Institute (London School of Economics (2011-2012), and at other prominent research institutions.
He has also worked as a senior consultant to international organizations (such as the EU, the WEU and BSEC) and to Greek and other governmental bodies. Professor Valinakis has also served in international Commissions, such as the Black Sea Commission and the International Expert Committee of the Fondation Chirac in Paris (2011-2014);Member of the Planning Staff of the Greek Ministry of Foreign Affairs (1991-93) and Advisor to the Greek Minister of Foreign Affairs (1983-86).

Business career

Prof.Valinakis is President and CEO of the hotel company Meditours S.A. since 2013.

Languages

Yannis Valinakis is fluent in English, French and German and has a working knowledge of Spanish, Italian and Russian.

Adonis Emmanouil Fragkakis, Co-Founder of Zurich Elite Business School

Adonis Emmanouil Fragkakis

Adonis is Co-Founder of Zurich Elite Business School, an exclusive Swiss Management Boutique and one of the leading European Business Schools in students employability and average salaries.

Adonis invented 19 years ago the first, global hands-on MBA program that was focusing on career related, in-demand and on-the-job skills development and established industry partnerships with leading global companies from Tech, Financial Sector, Management & Technology Consulting, Automotive, Energy, Pharmaceuticals/Health Care, Telco, Aerospace and many more.

He has a remarkable track record as a business coach. He has coached more than 500 executives in >20 industries and has specialized in High Performance Management.

He is an active angel investor in the education industry, has invested in 7 universities and colleges in Europe, a European awarding body and diverse other companies in the tech consulting, financials services and fintech.

Adonis has worked as an Executive Board Advisor for diverse international Universities and Colleges and academic & HR projects on issues ranging from institutional strategies to innovative program development and cost reductions.

Adonis has also been active in the African career & educational landscape since 2017.

He is an international Keynote Speaker and Professor of Leadership & Strategy at Zurich Elite Business School. His teaching engagements focus on Applied Leadership, Strategy and Real-World Leadership Skills at MBA/EMBA and Executive Education level.

He is also engaged as Lead Inspector at one of the biggest UK accreditation councils and leads the inspections and accreditation processes of international universities.

Previous to his engagement in the education industry, he worked as a management consultant for global companies such as Mercedes Benz and Siemens in projects dealing with strategy, reorganization and process optimization and business development.

As a board member and responsible for the tennis department at the one of the most traditional tennis clubs in Germany, he achieved the Best Academy of the Year in Germany and coached some of the top-ranked German junior players in the state of Baden Württemberg, which was another milestone in helping talents exceed their mental and physical limits and achieve excellence.

His academic background is Engineering, Business and Finance. He studied Mechanical Engineering at the RWTH Aachen, the leading Technical University in Germany and Business at Steinbeis Hochschule Berlin in Germany, Kelley School of Business, Indiana University in USA and University of Kitakyushu, Japan as well as Finance at the Wharton Business School, Executive Education in USA.

Elisabeth Anna Fintl, Head of the Academic Board at ZEBS International Business School

Elisabeth Anna Fintl

Elisabeth is Head of the Academic Board at ZEBS International Business School.

Elisabeth has worked as a College/University Professor for Political Science, History and German Literature. In her active career she was part of the University Council, member of the Curriculum development. She used to be for several years HR/Staff representative at her home University in Austria. She is founding member of several research and science groups in Austria as well as in other European countries. Right now she is member of the University Council of the University College of Teacher Education Tyrol, Austria.

Besides her academic and scientific work Elisabeth was also active in local politics, e.g. as a local council.

In 2010 she held office as co-director of the Austrian Pavilion at Shanghai EXPO in China.

ZEBS International seeks:

  1. To educate and foster a global online community whose core values facilitate not only outstanding performance in business but also in ethical business practices.
  2. To ensure that companies and learners achieve innovation, value enhancement, and acquire digital skills, thus achieving a sustainable competitive advantage through our customized programs and services, which enhance personalised learning experiences tailored to individual needs and lifestyles.
  3. To improve the economic and living conditions of diverse populations around the world by steering business and public policy leaders toward identifying and implementing innovative ideas for creating broad-based prosperity.

 

ZEBS International Business School, an international Management Boutique based in Malta, is committed to provide customized and innovative world-class business education for the following purposes:

  1. Quality online education: To help students achieve excellence in their academic and professional careers and companies to develop and strengthen their most valuable asset: people.
  2. Culture of Quality and Practical Application: To set high standards, use practical approaches that are aligned with industry expectations and demand excellence while nurturing a lifelong love of learning. Quality online courses and programs cater to the needs of lifelong learners by offering convenient, self-paced learning options.
  3. Flexibility: ZEBS IBS prioritizes offering flexible learning options to accommodate students’ diverse needs. Online learning allows students to learn at their own pace, schedule, and preferred location. This aligns with a vision of personalized learning experiences tailored to individual needs and lifestyles.
  4. All-access education, global reach and impact: To focus on underrepresented students from many different backgrounds with financial difficulties or handicap and give them access to high-quality education regardless of their wealth, ethnic origin, race, and education status. ZEBS IBS is an institution that sees online learning as a means to extend its reach beyond physical boundaries. By offering online programs, we attract students from diverse social and cultural backgrounds and geographical locations, thereby fostering a multicultural learning environment and global perspectives.

Endurance

At ZEBS International, resilience and sustainability are deeply embedded in our academic philosophy and institutional identity. We recognize that navigating the ever-evolving world of business demands not only adaptability and innovation but also the fortitude to weather challenges and emerge stronger, while operating in an environmentally conscious and responsible manner.

Our commitment to resilience and sustainability manifests in every aspect of our organization, from our approach to education to our internal operations and research. Our faculty members embody the spirit of resilience and sustainability, actively seeking out opportunities to incorporate sustainable practices into their classrooms and research projects. We empower our students to become resilient and sustainable leaders, equipped with the knowledge, skills, and mindset to navigate the complexities of the business world and emerge stronger from every challenge, while operating in a manner that safeguards the planet for future generations.

Welfare

ZEBS International is deeply committed to fostering a supportive and inclusive environment where the well-being of students, faculty, and staff is paramount. Through comprehensive initiatives and programs that are run by dedicated committees to ensure that our community is a healthy, supportive, and inclusive environment where everyone can thrive., ZEBS IU promotes physical, mental, social, and financial well-being across the entire community.

Excellence

Excellence in education is cultivated through a steadfast commitment to ethical values, ensuring a framework of fairness, respect, trust, modesty, and decency. This ethos permeates every aspect of the academic experience, fostering a harmonious environment where students and faculty engage in mutually respectful dialogue, fostering tolerance and building trust.

Faculty members uphold the highest standards of transparency and fairness in their teaching duties, embodying professionalism, and efficiency in their practice. Their research endeavours are marked by modesty and decency, producing quality work aligned with ZEBS’s aspirations and values. ZEBS’s management fosters a safe, healthy, and inclusive environment, providing equal opportunities to all.

Liberty

At ZEBS International, academic freedom is a cornerstone of our educational philosophy, fostering an environment where intellectual curiosity, critical thinking, and the pursuit of knowledge are paramount. We uphold the principles of liberty and academic freedom, recognizing their essential role in nurturing innovation, creativity, and responsible leadership.

Creativity & Innovation

Creativity permeates our approach to education and fostering excellence for transforming new ideas into impactful actions. We foster a vibrant learning environment that encourages experimentation, collaboration, and the exchange of ideas, empowering students to become innovators, leaders, and changemakers. We embrace creativity and critical thinking, empowering students to develop innovative solutions to real-world business and management challenges with programs that encourage students to continuously learn, adapt, and thrive in the ever-changing world of business. Faculty, who are actively engaged in research and industry collaborations, bring cutting-edge knowledge and practices into the classroom.