Press Releases

Thank you for the invitation to be here and join you on this important occasion, to discuss and celebrate the achievements and impact of the KIOS Centre of Excellence. It is important for KIOS and all those who contributed to the successful completion of this Project so far, but it is also important for us as Government as well. Today, we are here to reflect on the Centre’s journey and its ongoing contribution to the development of Cyprus as a vibrant hub for research, innovation, and technology.

Before I continue, please allow me to convey the greetings of the President of the Republic of Cyprus, Mr Nikos Christodoulides, whose participation at the Ukraine coalition summit in Paris did not allow him to be with us today.

A warm welcome to KIOS’ Advance Partners from Imperial College. Your involvement in this Teaming Project signifies a vote of confidence in the potential of this Centre of Excellence, and is of course the type of impactful partnership we would like to achieve.

Research, innovation, entrepreneurship, and technology are deeply interconnected pillars that collectively fuel progress and sustainable growth. By fostering these areas, Cyprus can strengthen its global presence and deliver real, tangible benefits to the everyday lives of its citizens. We must believe that; I can assure you that as Government, we do.

Our goal then as Government is to create a diversified and resilient economic model, that prioritises productive investments and the development of a strong, knowledge-based economy. To that end, we remain committed to supporting the growth of our national research and innovation ecosystem, as a foundational pillar upon which we build our future.

Cyprus has already built a strong scientific and entrepreneurial base. Our island is now home, as you know, to 12 universities, 20+ research organisations, and 7 Centres of Excellence. It has been ranked as a Strong Innovator in the European Innovation Scoreboard 2024 for the third consecutive year, distinguishing it as the only country from Southeastern Europe to achieve this status. Since 2017, Cyprus has demonstrated remarkable progress, with its innovation performance increasing by 39%, the highest growth among European Union (EU) member states during this period, while also leading across the EU in terms of linkages among ecosystem stakeholders.

Globally, Cyprus featured 27th in the 2024 Global Innovation Index and amongst the Top 50 Startup Ecosystems worldwide in the StartupBlink 2024 report, while the global consulting firm McKinsey positioned Cyprus 6th in Europe in terms of enabling startups to scale up. With a strong performance in Horizon2020 and an increasing engagement of €300+ million so far in Horizon Europe, Cyprus is on track to further strengthen its standing as a regional hub for collaborative research and innovation.

Through targeted measures and incentives, the Government is aiming to foster an environment that is conducive to the growth of the innovation and startup ecosystem. Such measures include the Cyprus Equity Fund, which has recently become operational, the recently revised Startup Visa scheme, which encourages non-EU entrepreneurs to establish innovative startups in Cyprus, a strong IP regime and tax incentives for investing in innovative companies and engaging in research and development activities. We are aware that challenges remain on the research front in particular and we intend to work closer with the research and academic community to see how these policy interventions can help this fundamental part of the ecosystem as well. Our priorities for 2025 –led by the President himself– also extend to measures and actions to bring back talent and turn brain drain to brain gain, a huge challenge for all nations. Equally important are the funding programmes announced by the Research and Innovation Foundation (RIF), which include grants for supporting research infrastructures, research excellence, startups, SMEs, international collaborations, as well as initiatives that promote knowledge transfer between academia and industry.

Ladies and gentlemen,

Since its inception and through its active action in forming partnerships with industry and academia, KIOS has been at the forefront of pioneering research and technological innovation. It has attracted top-tier researchers and exceptional talent and has fostered groundbreaking work that has gained significant scientific recognitions, including prestigious ERC grants.

It actively participates in 35+ research and innovation projects supported by European and national funding, as well as industry-driven initiatives, and has significantly contributed to the government's strategic objectives focused on harnessing technology to develop effective solutions to pressing challenges.

During the pandemic, KIOS had a critical impact by developing innovative tools for the real-time monitoring of COVID-19 cases. These tools were instrumental in enabling authorities to respond swiftly and make informed decisions to manage the crisis effectively.

KIOS continues to support the government in various key areas, such as the protection of critical infrastructure and the resilience of essential services which include energy, water and telecommunications. In particular, solutions to enhance the safety and reliability of the national electricity grid, smart water management systems to detect leaks and ensure quality, a top priority of this Administration with the issues we have with water shortage, intelligent transport management systems to improve traffic flow and road safety, as well as cybersecurity solutions to protect critical infrastructure, in partnership with the Deputy Ministry of Research, Innovation and Digital Policy.

I was also very pleased to see successful startups being created by KIOS Alumni. This shows that this facility provides its staff with the right mindset and skills to think big and successfully take the entrepreneurial leap. We hope to see this trend rising, within the context of the University itself, with the modernisation of the legal framework for establishing and operating spin-off companies by public academic institutions, currently submitted to Parliament.

Dear friends,

As research, innovation, and technology become more and more valuable in navigating the complexities of tomorrow, it becomes even more evident that we need to continue to invest in these key domains, fostering creativity, supporting ground-breaking research and nurturing technological advancements that can lay the foundations for a better future.

Through the Teaming action, Cyprus was remarkably successful in creating seven Centres of Excellence that have the potential to contribute significantly to that goal. These Centres are at the forefront of innovation in our country, and their creation and activities have not only bolstered our research capabilities, but also enhanced our international standing in the scientific community.  

Our next priority is to ensure the long-term sustainability and growth of these Centres. This involves securing competitive funding, forging robust partnerships with industry, and reducing reliance on direct government support, all while maintaining a strong focus on delivering high-impact research and innovation that benefits the country.

The KIOS Centre of Excellence stands as proof of what can be achieved when vision, innovation and collaboration come together. I would like to take this opportunity to congratulate KIOS for its achievements so far, and its staff for their dedication and hard work.

The Government will continue to put forward measures and policies that enable you to continue your work and take it to the next level, forming the right conditions for the entire ecosystem to reach its full potential. I look forward to future successes in the years to come.

Thank you. 

(IA/MS)