The Cyprus Institute

 

The Cyprus Institute has once again confirmed its status as a Center of Excellence in Research and Innovation, after triumphing at the 18^th Annual Cyprus’ Innovation & Research Awards, co-organized by OEB (the Cyprus Employers and Industrialists Federation) & the Research and Innovation Foundation (RIF). CyI researchers won three out of the ten total awards presented at the ceremony. In particular, CyI researchers won:

• Distinguished Researcher of the Year Award 2024 in the category “Physical Sciences and Engineering” (awarded by RIF), to Professor Jean Sciare, Director of the Research Center of Excellence for Climate and Atmosphere (CARE-C).
• Young Researcher Award 2024 in the category “Physical Sciences and Engineering” (awarded by RIF), to Simone Bacchio.
• Innovation Award in the Social Innovation category (awarded by OEB) to the Andreas Pittas Art Characterization Laboratories (APAC Labs). Professor Nikolas Bakirtzis, Head of APAC Labs received the award on behalf of the entire team.

The Award Ceremony took place on Thursday, March 26, 2025, at the Nicosia Municipal Theater, in the presence of the President of the Republic of Cyprus, Mr. Nikos Christodoulides who presented the awards.

 

The Cyprus’ Research and Innovation Awards are Cyprus most important awards in their respective fields, recognizing and rewarding individuals and organizations that stood out the previous year, contributing substantially to the promotion of research, scientific excellence, technological development and innovation.

 

The awards are the latest testament to the excellence, innovation, and leadership that define CyI’s mission in strengthening Cyprus' vision for the formation of a dynamic and innovative research environment, competitive on both the local and international level.

Greenhouse gas (GHG) concentrations measured over Cyprus have reached record-breaking levels, according to findings from the first five years of continuous monitoring of carbon dioxide (CO₂) and methane (CH₄)  led by the Cyprus Institute’s Climate and Atmosphere Research Centre (CARE-C).  Greenhouse gases drive climate change in Cyprus and globally. The wider Eastern Mediterranean and Middle East (EMME) region has already been recognized as a global climate change hotspot. Long-term measurements of GHG emissions such as the one now carried out in Cyprus are essential for scientists to independently monitor these greenhouse gases, and the effectiveness of strategies for their reduction, in line with global efforts to address the climate crisis under the Paris Agreement.

 

Greenhouse gases act as a natural heat-trapping “blanket”, maintaining the Earth’s temperature at an average of 15°C. However, excess GHG emissions from fossil fuel combustion, agriculture, and industrial activities disrupt this balance, driving global warming and its cascading effects, such as rising temperatures, extreme weather, and environmental degradation.

 

Until recently, high-precision greenhouse gas measurements have been limited in the Eastern Mediterranean and Middle East (EMME) region, leaving a gap in the global monitoring of these long-lived gases that are well mixed in the atmosphere. To address this gap, the Cyprus Institute’s CARE-C, in collaboration with the Climate and Environment Sciences Laboratory (LSCE) in France and the University of Bremen in Germany, launched a long-term initiative to monitor the emission of key greenhouse gases, including carbon dioxide (CO₂) and methane (CH₄).

 

The 5-year GHG measurements revealed that GHG concentrations over Cyprus have reached record-breaking levels, increasing year after year. In Ineia (in Paphos) for example, in January 2025 carbon dioxide concentrations exceeded the 430 ppm mark for the first time. These concentrations reflect the position of Cyprus, located in the outflow of European airmasses loaded with continental emissions. GHG concentrations reflect the amount of these heat-trapping gases in the atmosphere, which are linked to emissions from human activities. Tiny variations of their concentrations across space contain information about their sources and sinks. Higher GHG levels amplify the greenhouse effect, driving climate change and its already adverse effects on ecosystems, weather patterns, and societies. Indicatively, according to a recently published paper led by the Max Planck Institute for Chemistry and The Cyprus Institute, around 1.6 million people each year already die from extreme heat, while by the end of the century, climate change and air pollution could risk 30 million lives annually.

 

As GHG concentrations continue to rise, long-term monitoring is essential to understand their sources and inform and evaluate the effectiveness of policies to reduce them to address the climate crisis. By establishing high-precision GHG measurement infrastructure, the Cyprus Institute plays a vital role in addressing this challenge for Cyprus and the wider EMME region.

 

A new study by CyI researchers presents an innovative tree identification system, via the application of deep learning models on high-resolution aerial photographs. The research responds to the need for reliable tree counting in Cyprus, which is essential for forest management. Trees contribute to mitigating the long-term impacts of climate change and reducing greenhouse gas emissions. The results of the study significantly contribute to both improving the control and management of forest and urban ecosystems in Cyprus and to strengthening actions to address the growing challenges due to the climate crisis.

 

The study was conducted by researchers from The Cyprus Institute’s Climate and Atmosphere Research Center (CARE-C) and the Laboratory of Climate and Environmental Sciences (LSCE) in France, in collaboration with the University of Copenhagen in Denmark. The study involved the first-ever tree mapping and mapping of forests and residential areas in Cyprus, using a pioneering artificial intelligence model that was adapted and trained by the researchers on the island’s data. Specifically, the model was applied to the Troodos National Forest Park, to count and map almost 1 million trees, as well as to the Athalassa Forest Park, and to a small residential area in Aglantzia, covering a total area of ​​107 km². Through this process, two detailed maps were created for the Troodos Geopark and the Athalassa Forest Park, with each tree crown recorded with high precision. In addition, the data were used to estimate the total area covered by trees in the Republic of Cyprus.

 

The study lays the foundations for the creation of the first comprehensive tree registration and mapping in the Republic of Cyprus. Through the processing of these results, it will be possible to examine important parameters, such as the consequences of forest fires, the exact location of burned areas, and the analysis of endemic tree species in the mountains of Cyprus. It will also provide useful information to foresters and other government agencies for taking appropriate measures, such as tree planting and reforestation of burned forest areas. Additionally, through this research, the total forest biomass and the biomass of individual trees will be calculated with high precision for the first time in Cyprus. This will allow the estimation of the total carbon absorbed by trees and will significantly contribute to the implementation of the objectives set by the EU for the reduction of carbon dioxide emissions in order to address the climate crisis.

 

This research was carried out within the framework of the Horizon Europe Edu4Climate program, which is funded by the European Union.

 

 

Publication: Zenonos, A., Li, S., Brandt, M., Sciare, J., & Ciais, P. (2025). AI-powered estimation of tree covered area and number of trees over the Mediterranean island of Cyprus. Frontiers in Remote Sensing, 6. https://doi.org/10.3389/frsen.2025.1498217

Contact: Ms. Anna Zenonos, PhD student at the Climatic and Atmospheric Research (CARE-C) of The Cyprus Institute – This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

The Climate and Atmosphere Research Centre (CARE-C) of The Cyprus Institute is proud to announce its coordination of the new Horizon Europe Project entitled ‘Doctoral Network on Atmospheric Dust’ (Dust-DN), which secured funding of 3.5 million under the prestigious Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions (MSCA) Doctoral Networks program. Awarded with full marks within a very competitive evaluation and selection, this initiative aims to train the next generation of scientists in the field of atmospheric dust.

 

Atmospheric dust is one of the most visible and detectable aspects of the transboundary transport of atmospheric constituents, affecting visibility, radiation, and climate. Despite its obvious presence in the atmosphere, the fundamental properties of atmospheric dust remain poorly understood, limiting our ability to develop accurate models and harness the societal benefits of better predictions. The Dust-DN project aims to bridge this knowledge gap by creating the first doctoral network dedicated to atmospheric mineral dust on a European scale, combining expertise and multidisciplinary approaches.

 

It is a strategic, international, and intersectoral alliance of high-profile partners that will drive innovation in understanding the fundamental properties of dust and in predicting its socio-economic impacts. By training a cohort of early-career scientists within a network of academic and non-academic partners, Dust-DN will address critical gaps in the field through the following research objectives:

The Dust-DN project brings together 8 core partners and 15 associated partners, including 5 non-academic institutions, ensuring a broad range of expertise and facilities to address the complex challenges posed by atmospheric dust. The core participating institutes are The Cyprus Institute (CyI) – Project Coordinator, the University of Évora (UÉ) from Portugal, the National Observatory of Athens (NOA) from Greece, the Barcelona Supercomputing Center (BSC) from Spain, the Technical University of Darmstadt (TUDa) from Germany, the Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT) also from Germany, the University of Reading (UREAD) from United Kingdom, and the Physikalisch-Meteorologisches Observatorium Davos – World Radiation Center (PMOD-WRC) from Switzerland.

 

The associated partners include five universities: the National Technical University of Athens (NTUA) and the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki (AUTH) both from Greece, the Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya (UPC) from Spain, the Federal Institute of Technology Zurich (ETHZ) from Switzerland and the Khalifa University from United Arab Emirates; five research institutions, the Max Planck Institute for Chemistry (MPIC) from Germany, the Eratosthenes Centre of Excellence from Cyprus, the Center of Allergy and Environment (ZAUM) from Germany, the Centro Académico Clínico do Alentejo (C-TRAIL) from Portugal, the Centro de Investigaciones Energéticas, Medioambientales y Tecnológicas - Plataforma Solar de Almería (CIEMAT-PSA) from Spain, one agency of the United Nations, the World Meteorological Organization (WMO), a national meteorological service the Met Office (MetO) from the United Kingdom, and three private companies, the Rolls-Royce Holdings plc (RR) a British multinational aerospace and defence company, the Earnst and Young (EY) Cyprus part of the global EY brand and the Generalized Retrieval of Atmosphere and Surface Properties (GRASP) from France.

 

This diverse partnership ensures a wide range of expertise, facilities, and geographic coverage, critical for addressing the complex challenges posed by atmospheric dust.

 

The Dust-DN project kickoff meeting will take place on 20 January 2025, marking the launch of this ambitious initiative. Participants will present the project’s objectives, methodologies, and timeline. To foster public engagement, the public part of the kickoff meeting will be in the form of pre-recorded videos presenting the project and its partners. It will be made available on the official YouTube channel of Dust-DN :

 

For more details about the Dust-DN project and to follow its progress, visit the project website at https://dust-dn.cyi.ac.cy/.

 

For any queries or interview requests, please contact:

 

Mortality attributable to air pollution and extreme temperatures is a major concern, and it is expected to heighten in the future. In a new study led by the Max Planck Institute for Chemistry and an international research team which includes the Climate and Atmosphere Research Center (CARE-C) of The Cyprus Institute found that, under the most probable projection, annual mortality rates linked to air pollution and extreme temperatures could reach 30 million by the end of the century. The research, based on advanced numerical simulations, suggests a concerning trend: pollution-related deaths are expected to increase five-fold, while temperature-related mortality could rise seven-fold, posing a more critical health risk than air pollution for at least 20% of the world's population.

 

The researchers base their calculations on projections from 2000 to 2090, analyzed in ten-year intervals. “In 2000, around 1.6 million people died each year due to extreme temperatures, both cold and heat. By the end of the century, in the most realistic scenario, this figure climbs to 10.8 million, roughly a seven-fold increase. For air pollution, annual deaths in 2000 were about 4.1 million. By the century's close, this number rises to 19.5 million, a five-fold increase,” explains Dr. Andrea Pozzer, group leader at the Max Planck Institute for Chemistry in Mainz and adjunct associate professor at The Cyprus Institute in Nicosia, Cyprus.

 

The study shows significant regional differences in future mortality rates. South and East Asia are expected to face the strongest increases, driven by aging of the population, with air pollution still playing a major role. In contrast, in high-income regions—such as Western Europe, North America, Australasia, and Asia Pacific—deaths related to extreme temperatures are expected to surpass those caused by air pollution. In some countries within these regions, such as the United States, England, France, Japan and New Zealand, this shift is already occurring. The disparity is likely to grow, with extreme temperatures becoming a more significant health risk than air pollution also in countries of Central and Eastern Europe (e.g., Poland and Romania) and parts of South America (e.g., Argentina and Chile).

 

More specifically, in Cyprus the mortality rate associated with air pollution is expected to increase eightfold by 2090 (from 307 to 2615 deaths per year), while deaths associated with extreme temperatures due to climate change are expected to increase sixteen-fold (from 244 to 3991 deaths per year). It is worth noting that the population of Cyprus is expected to double, from 600 thousand to 1.26 million people.

 

By the end of the century, temperature-related health risks are expected to outweigh those linked to air pollution for a fifth of the world’s population, underscoring the urgent need for comprehensive actions to mitigate this growing public health risk.

 

“Climate change is not just an environmental issue; it is a direct threat to public health,” says Andrea Pozzer. “These findings highlight the critical importance of implementing decisive mitigation measures now to prevent future loss of life”, adds Jean Sciare, director of the Climate and Atmosphere Research Center (CARE-C) of The Cyprus Institute, key contributor to the study.

Andrea Pozzer, Brendan Steffens, Yiannis Proestos, Jean Sciare, Dimitris Akritidis, Sourangsu Chowdhury, Katrin Burkart and Sara Bacer, Atmospheric health burden across the century and the accelerating impact of temperature compared to pollution, DOI: 10.1038/s41467-024-53649-9, Nature Communications 15, article number: 9379 (2024)

 

Contact: Dr. Giannis Proestos - Tel.: +35722208634, e-mail: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

New ground-breaking research, led by the CLOUD team at CERN, which includes researchers from the Climate and Atmosphere Research Center (CARE-C) of The Cyprus Institute, has discovered that isoprene, a compound released by trees, is found in surprisingly high levels in the tropical upper troposphere. Notably, researchers have found that isoprene significantly contributes to new particle formation, which in turn leads to cloud formation, and can act as mitigator against climate change. The research findings, published in the prestigious journal Nature, suggest that natural sources, like forests, might have contributed significantly to cloud formations in the past and could change how we understand climate sensitivity and future warming.  This means that as we reduce air pollution, the natural environment might help offset some of the warming effects brought about by climate change, underlining the importance of the natural environment in addressing the climate crisis.

Over the past 20 years, aircraft observations have detected extensive new particle formation in the tropical upper troposphere above the Amazon, as well as over the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans. However, the origin of these particles has so far remained unknown. Recent satellite observations over this area, though, have revealed that the levels of isoprene in the tropical upper troposphere are significantly higher than previously thought.

Isoprene, which is released by trees, is the most abundant non-methane hydrocarbon emitted into the atmosphere (0.5 billion tonnes per year) but is currently believed to be unable to form new particles. In the new experiments conducted by the CLOUD team, new particle formation from the oxidation of isoprene at upper tropospheric temperatures of −30 °C and −50 °C was explored. The results revealed that isoprene is triggering extensive new particle formation over vast regions of the tropical upper troposphere. When the particles descent to lower altitudes, they provide an important source of cloud formation world-wide, which strongly influences the Earth’s radiative balance.

Therefore, isoprene released by forests, through their contribution to producing cloud condensation nuclei in the pre-industrial atmosphere, might have contributed significantly to cloud formation in the past, which could reduce estimates of Earth’s climate sensitivity and, in turn, projections of warming later this century. It also implies that as air pollution is reduced through emission control measures, the natural environment might be able to act as a buffer and help offset some of the warming effects later this century.

Associate Professor Theodoros Christoudias of The Cyprus Institute, noted: “This discovery reshapes our understanding of natural climate processes. By revealing that isoprene released from forests is capable of forming cloud-seeding particles, we see a pathway through which nature itself has historically influenced the Earth’s climate. At a time when reducing emissions is critical in tackling the climate crisis, understanding the profound role of forests and the natural environment helps us refine model predictions, by illuminating a natural mechanism that wasn’t fully understood until now.”

The CLOUD Experiment at CERN allows for measuring aerosol nucleation and growth under cosmic rays. Atmospheric aerosols and their effect on clouds are recognised by the IPCC as the main uncertainty in climate models. The Cyprus Institute participates in the CLOUD experiment via its Climate and Atmosphere Research Center (CARE-C) by performing atmospheric, climate, and air quality modelling with global and regional models, and comparing CLOUD data with those obtained in field campaigns over land, e.g. the tropics, marine and urban regions.

Original publication: Shen, J., Russell, D.M., DeVivo, J. et al. New particle formation from isoprene under upper-tropospheric conditions. Nature 636, 115–123 (2024). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41586-024-08196-0

Press Release on CERN website

CERN Animation of new particle formation from isoprene in the upper troposphere from CLOUD experiments

Interview with Dr Theodoros Christoudias on The Cyprus Institute YouTube channel

For queries contact: Dr Theodoros Christoudias, Associate Professor at the Climate and Atmosphere Research Center (CARE-C) of The Cyprus Institute: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

During the Opening Ceremony of the International Conference on the "Climate Crisis in the Eastern Mediterranean and the Middle East" (emmeclimate2024.cyi.ac.cy), President Nikos Christodoulides announced the revival and strengthening of the Initiative undertaken by the Republic of Cyprus in 2019 to address the impacts of Climate Change in the region.

 

The Conference is co-organized by The Cyprus Academy of Sciences, Letters, and Arts, and The Cyprus Institute from September 26 to 28, 2024, in Larnaca. Eminent scientists and policymakers from twenty-two countries have convened to examine scientific evidence and to debate adaptation and mitigation strategies for the Eastern Mediterranean and Middle East (EMME) region.

 

President Christodoulides stated that the Cypriot Government has decided to revive the Initiative, with emphasis on the implementation of the Regional Action Plan, as agreed at the COP27 Summit in November 2022. He committed his government to intensifying efforts at both the political and scientific levels to strengthen regional synergies aimed at ameliorating the dire consequences of Climate Change in the Eastern Mediterranean and Middle East.  "We must act immediately, decisively, and collectively. We must act as neighbours and allies against Climate Change" the President emphasized.

 

Referring to Cyprus as an example of a country experiencing the effects of Climate Change, President Christodoulides noted that in the past five years, the temperature has increased by 1.5 degrees compared to the average of previous decades, with all months breaking temperature records of the past 40 years. This, he said, affects the environment and ecosystem and causes serious health problems, endangering human lives.

 

In his message, Prince Hassan Bin Talal of Jordan, a prominent international figure widely known for his initiatives in addressing climate and environmental threats, sounded the alarm, reminding of the words of UN Secretary-General António Guterres, who stated that "Global warming is over; the planet is entering the phase of global boiling".  Prince Hassan highlighted that prolonged heatwaves and sandstorms could make the regions of West Asia and North Africa uninhabitable. Due to extreme disasters, more than 20 million people are displaced each year over the last decade, with 80% of displaced individuals coming from Asia, where over a third of the world's poorest people live. The phenomenon of "climate refugees" is a global problem that requires a global solution, he noted.

 

Also speaking at the Conference's Opening Ceremony were Minister of Agriculture, Environment, and Natural Resources Mrs. Maria Panayiotou, President of the International Program Committee, Professor Costas N. Papanicolas, President of the Cyprus Institute, Professor Stavros Malas, and President of the Cyprus Academy of Sciences, Letters, and Arts, Academician Achilles C. Emilianides.

 

During the Conference, measurements and model predictions for climate change and its impacts will be presented and debated, particularly in the sectors of energy, water, food and agriculture, oceans, health, and cultural heritage. Mitigation strategies, and adaptation strategies at a regional level with emphasis on transboundary cooperation will be presented, and economic, legal, and ethical aspects, as well as artistic expressions of concern for the critical issue of the climate crisis will be debated.

 

The Climate Crisis represents the greatest challenge of the 21st century, with its impacts expected to be even more intense in Cyprus and the wider Eastern Mediterranean and Middle East regions, areas identified as highly sensitive. For this reason, the design and implementation of immediate actions to address the crisis, with the cooperation of states, is an urgent necessity.

 

The International Conference on the "Climate Crisis in the Eastern Mediterranean and the Middle East" is endorsed and supported by the European Commission Representation in Cyprus.

 

View highlights of the conference our YouTube channel.

Dr Efthymia Nikita, Assoc. Professor in Bioarchaeology at the Science and Technology in Archaeology and Culture Research Centre (STARC) of The Cyprus Institute, has been named a Top Scholar by ScholarGPS. This prestigious recognition places her at No. 19 globally in archaeology, signifying her as one of the top 0.5% of scholars worldwide. The ScholarGPS accolade highlights her productivity, impactful research, and high-quality publications.

 

Dr Nikita earned her BA in Archaeology from the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki and went on to complete her PhD in Biological Anthropology at the University of Cambridge. Her post-doctoral work included positions at the Fitch Laboratory of the British School at Athens and the Malcolm Wiener Laboratory of Archaeological Sciences of the American School of Classical Studies at Athens. Additionally, she held a Marie Skłodowska-Curie fellowship at the University of Sheffield.

 

With a publication record that includes over 110 articles and book chapters, Dr Nikita has significantly advanced our understanding of past populations. Her research employs biocultural approaches to explore activity, mobility, demography, health, and diet. Her textbook, ‘Osteoarchaeology: A Guide to the Macroscopic Study of Human Skeletal Remains,’ published by Elsevier, received an honorable mention at the American Publishers Awards, highlighting its impact in the field.

 

Since joining The Cyprus Institute in 2016, Dr Nikita has been at the forefront of bioarchaeological research in the Eastern Mediterranean. She has led two Research and Innovation Foundation funded Excellence Hubs projects, supervised two Marie Skłodowska-Curie fellows, two other post-doctoral fellows, and five PhD students. Her team’s research outputs have been prolific, systematically publishing on various aspects of past life in the region.

 

In addition to her research, Dr Nikita has made significant contributions to scholarly resources and outreach. She has been co-Editor in Chief for the second edition of the Encyclopedia of Archaeology as well as for the Journal of Archaeological Science (both published by Elsevier). Her commitment to open access resources and public engagement further amplifies the impact of her work.

 

Dr Nikita’s scholarship has earned her numerous accolades, the most recent being the Dan David Prize in 2022. This prestigious award, the largest history prize in the world, recognizes researchers whose work illuminates the past and fosters a deeper understanding of history.

 

Dr Nikita’s recognition as a Top Scholar by ScholarGPS is another testament to her outstanding contributions to bioarchaeology and the broader field of archaeology.

CyI’s Computation-based Science and Technology Research Center (CaSToRC), in its capacity as Cyprus’ National Competence Center for High Performance Computing (HPC), hosted its second “Industry Day” event on Wednesday, July 3rd, 2024. Organized under the EuroCC2 project, the event aimed to strengthen the collaboration between Cypriot businesses and leading CaSToRC researchers. The initiative highlights CaSToRC’s commitment to integrating advanced technologies, such as Artificial Intelligence (AI), Machine Learning (ML), HPC, Computational Modelling, and Data Analytics, into the operational workflows of Cypriot enterprises.

 

Building on the success of the inaugural “Industry Day” held in January 2024, this follow-up event showcased the potential of technological collaboration. The event featured insightful presentations from prominent Cypriot companies at the forefront of technological innovation. Participants included the German Oncology Center, RetailZoom, Suite5, Hello Radius, Moving Doors, Electi, Malloc, Efevre Tech, Vet ex machina, Novatex Solutions Ltd, ECECT, Intellar AI and Vettaky. These companies specialize in areas such as cybersecurity, data analytics, AI, laboratory automation, in-house technology solutions, software development, and more.

 

The companies are vital to the national economy, significantly supporting local businesses and generating a positive impact throughout the country. Their commitment to embracing new technologies, driving innovation and aligning with the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) is demonstrated by their efforts to enhance operational efficiency and future-proof their operations.

 

The event also underscores CyI’s dedication to promoting sustainable economic growth in Cyprus during the era of AI and advanced computing. With the Institute’s state-of-the-art facilities and expertise now more accessible to the private sector, the gap between fundamental and industrial research is effectively bridged.

 

In his welcome address, CaSToRC Director and PI of EuroCC2 in Cyprus, Prof. Constantine Dovrolis, gave a brief introduction on CaSToRC and the EuroCC2 project. “EuroCC2 is a pan-European project, involving over 30 countries, with the main objective of advancing the competencies of European communities in High-Performance Computing and High-Performance Data Analytics. EuroCC2 aims to promote advanced technologies in Cyprus, with a focus on HPC, HPDA, machine learning, artificial intelligence and computational modeling/simulation. The main aims for EuroCC2 in Cyprus include strengthening these technical competencies of the island, advancing competitiveness in research and innovation, improving the effectiveness of government services and promoting innovation by engaging with industry”, he highlighted.

 

CyI President, Prof. Stavros Malas noted that part of the mission of CyI is not only to perform research and educate researchers, but also to help the ecosystem and private sector innovate. “Innovation is a two-way process: developing ideas and taking them to the market and providing tools and expertise to the industry to help it improve. The facilities we have here are national assets. However, we haven’t developed a national High-Performance Computing strategy in Cyprus, despite the work done at CyI and European initiatives”, he stated.

 

Chief Scientist and Chairman of the Research and Innovation Foundation (RIF), Dr. Demetris Skourides, noted that the event bridges the gap between research organizations and industry, and comes at the right time, highlighting the work done on emerging technologies among businesses. “The tools, skills, capabilities, and infrastructure provided are actually here, at The Cyprus Institute. This is a valuable opportunity for the Cypriot industry to engage with CaSToRC researchers, extend capabilities beyond just research, and bring them to practical applications. The EuroCC2 project is a strategic initiative that importantly contributes to this culture by providing access to training and support resources, industry knowledge, and leveraging technology. The Cyprus Institute is a game-changer and key partner, showcasing how technologies and AI supercomputing capabilities build solutions that pave the way between the Middle East and Europe, enabling us to play an important role in these fields”, he added.

 

Industrial participants were introduced to CaSToRC’s expertise and industrial engagement activities by Managing Coordinator for Industrial and Cross-Disciplinary Collaborations, Dr Panayiota Katsamba.

 

The event featured an inspirational success story underscoring the strong potential of cross-disciplinary partnerships. Dr. Constantinos Zampoglou and Dr. Yiannis Roussakis from the German Oncology Center presented a success story of leveraging collaboration with CaSToRC’s expertise in machine learning and conventional statistics for healthcare projects. One project focused on using non-invasive methods for cancer detection and characterization, while the other used AI to gather important medical data.

 

Bespoke presentations on advanced computing technologies and their industrial potential, highlighting the applications of their work in HPC, AI/ML, and High-Performance Data Analytics, were delivered by CaSToRC faculty, research staff, and technology experts. These sessions provided a comprehensive overview of the center’s technical expertise and demonstrated the practical impact of their research. Additionally, the event featured case studies of successful past collaborations between CaSToRC and various Cypriot companies, showcasing tangible benefits and innovative outcomes. The presentations included:

• Constantinos Dovrolis, who discussed “Generative AI in Business – the Good, the Bad, and the Ugly”
• Mihalis Nicolaou, who addressed “AI in the Era of Deployment”
• Giannis Koutsou, who covered “Trends in High Performance Computing”
• Leonidas Christodoulou, who explored “Transformative Applications of Data Science in Modern Industry”
• Charalambos Chrysostomou, who delved into “Data Analysis and Machine Learning in Health Data”

The event concluded with presentations given by the representatives from the participating companies, expected to pave the way for future partnerships, driving technological advancement and fostering economic growth within the local industry.

 

The Cyprus Institute is dedicated to supporting Cyprus’s economic development through innovative research and collaboration, and such events continue similar engagements strategically designed to forge closer ties between companies across various sectors, and strengthening CyI’s position as a leader in digital and green transition.

About the EuroCC2

The EuroCC2 project is co-funded by the European Union and the Republic of Cyprus (received funding from the European High Performance Computing Joint Undertaking (JU), Cyprus (co-funded by the EU within the framework of the Cohesion Policy Programme “THALIA 2021-2027”) and the participating countries in the project under grant agreement No 101101903).

 

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The Cyprus Institute held its 2024 Graduation Ceremony on Thursday, June 13, 2024, at the Nicosia Municipal Theatre, in the presence of the President of the Republic of Cyprus, H.E. Dr. Nikos Christodoulides, who addressed the event. Prof. Didier Roux, Chair of the Board of Trustees of the Institute, and Prof. Stavros Malas, CyI President and Provost, also addressed the ceremony, which was attended by leading figures from the scientific, business, and political world.

 

The commencement address, titled “The Role of Sustainable Natural Resource Management for the Future We Want,” was delivered by Dr. Janez Potočnik, Former EU Commissioner for Environment and Member of the Board of Trustees.

 

The Hon. Deputy Minister of Research, Innovation and Digital Policy, Mr. Nicodemos Damianou conferred Postgraduate Degrees to thirty-three (33) Master’s students, while CyI President and Provost, Prof. Stavros Malas conferred Degrees to twenty-five (25) graduating PhD students.

 

In recognition of their significant contributions to research and education, particularly their roles in the successful operation of The Cyprus Institute, Mr. George Vassiliou, former President of the Republic of Cyprus and Trustee Emeritus, and Prof. Edouard Brezin, Member of the Board of Trustees, were awarded Honorary Doctorates. The degrees were bestowed by CREF CEO, Prof. Costas N. Papanicolas, Chair of the Board of Trustees, Prof. Didier Roux, and CyI President, Prof. Stavros Malas.

 

In his opening remarks, Prof. Stavros Malas noted that the day was one of formal recognition and celebration of all the efforts and unwavering determination of the graduates in achieving a postgraduate degree at The Cyprus Institute. “Dear graduates you have reached a significant milestone in your life, and you should be immensely proud of yourselves. The world needs your creativity, your resilience, and your compassion. As you embark on this new chapter, I encourage you to remain curious and open-minded. Embrace lifelong learning, as education does not end with a degree. It is a continuous journey of growth and discovery. Seek out diverse perspectives, engage with different cultures, and be adaptable in the face of change. In doing so, you will not only enrich your own lives, but also contribute to a more inclusive and understanding world. Be bold in your aspirations, and do not be afraid to challenge the status quo. Nelson Mandela once said: Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world”, he stated.

 

Prof. Roux stated that fundamental research is conducted to generate new knowledge, enhancing our understanding of the world we live in and contributing to the universal body of knowledge, always with a strong and focused expertise. In contrast, industrial research addresses our social needs by leveraging existing knowledge from various fields to achieve practical outcomes. “Whatever path you choose to follow, success will be based on two pillars: the technical capacity to deliver results, and active participation and contribution to the collective organization of the establishment. Congratulations, and I wish you an exciting career”, he added.

 

In his welcome address, the President of the Republic of Cyprus indicated that The Cyprus Institute has become a Center of Excellence in science and technology, in fields such as the environment, energy, and archaeology. At the same time, he pointed out that the Institute's research on climate change has greatly contributed to the international scientific community, while the Institute has also provided exceptionally important data for the formulation of national and regional environmental policies, such as the Cyprus Climate Initiative in the Eastern Mediterranean and the Middle East.

 

In his commencement address, Dr. Potočnik explored the main challenges facing the planet and stated that we can solve them only through collaboration. The key challenge is how to switch from an economic system based on the notion of unlimited growth to one that is both ecologically sustainable and socially just. “Economy championed by industrialised nations is wasteful and unjust. We must shift away from the prevailing resource wasteful economic approach based on maximising the output of sectors, simplistically defined by GDP, towards an economy that is efficiently meeting human needs and optimise human wellbeing. The current logic is both ethically and ecologically unsustainable”, he highlighted.

 

In his opening remarks, CyI President Prof. Malas also introduced, for the first time, the CyI Anthem and the newly introduced motto of The Cyprus Institute Graduate School, “καιρὸν γνῶθι και γνοὺς πρᾶττε”.

 

The Cyprus Institute Anthem was played for the first time at the ceremony and was composed by renowned Cypriot composer and Artistic Director Dr. Marios Ioannou Elia. Inspired by the newly introduced motto of The Cyprus Institute Graduate School, the Anthem represents the Institute’s values and aspirations, serving as a powerful symbol of unity and pride. It cultivates a sense of belonging within our community and promotes the Institute’s identity and culture. Through the Anthem, we celebrate the Institute’s achievements and future aspirations as a world-class research and educational institution.

 

The new motto of The Cyprus Institute is a combination of two Delphic oracles, καιρὸν γνῶθι (know your times) and γνοὺς πρᾶττε (act with knowledge), attributed to Pittacus of Mytilene. The first part of the motto, καιρόν γνῶθι, emphasizes the importance of recognizing opportunities and understanding the context of one's environment. The second part of the motto, γνούς πρᾶττε, advises to act only with knowledge, relying on learning and wisdom to make informed decisions. Unanimously adopted by the Institute’s Academic Committee, the motto underscores the importance of recognizing and exploiting the opportunities offered by our time, while urging a continuous search for knowledge and action.

 

The Cyprus Institute Motto encapsulates the Institute’s mission and core principles, and serves as the guiding philosophy reflecting the Institute’s commitment to education, research, and societal contribution. The motto aims to inspire and create a point of reference for the Institute’s community, including students, faculty, staff, and alumni.