Speech of the Chief Scientist for Research and Innovation of the Republic of Cyprus, Dr. Nikolas Mastroyiannopoulos at Emphasis Research Centre Launch Event | 25 November 2020

Dear Professor Christofides, Rector of the University of Cyprus,

Dear Prof. Stavros Iezekiel, Acting Director of the EMPHASIS Research Center,

Dear members of EMPHASIS,

Dear students,

Ladies and Gentlemen,

It is with pleasure that I address you today at the digital launch event of the Emphasis Research Centre.

I would like to express my gratitude to the people who have inspired this initiative and comment on the dedication shown by these distinguished researchers from departments in both Schools of Engineering and Pure and Applied Sciences of the University of Cyprus.

Interdisciplinarity and collaboration is key in achieving our vision and your initiative fills us with optimism for the future and for the results to come across a broad spectrum of key enabling technologies, applied to a variety of system applications.

Dear Friends,

As the Chief Scientist and the Chairman of the Research and Innovation Foundation, I am encouraged to see that Emphasis shares our national vision. To further enhance the local Research & Innovation community into a robust, viable and sustainable ecosystem. An ecosystem that is efficient and fit-for-the-future, adding value horizontally across all sectors of the economy. An ecosystem, where Research and Innovation thrive and build opportunities for economic and social prosperity.

Through the development of cutting-edge Key Enabling Technologies in micro/nano-electronic devices, sensors, photonics and microwave circuits and systems, Emphasis can contribute in economic growth and high-value-added employment opportunities, as well as the evolution of the high-tech communications and health industry in Cyprus.

To this end, the Research and Innovation Foundation is supporting EMPHASIS, through two competitively won projects:
– the “RF-META” project funded under the “New Strategic Infrastructure Units – Young Scientists” Program, aiming to establish a new, research center focusing on the development of advanced RF electronics for use in adaptive metamaterial technology, and
– “Photometasur”, funded via the “Excellence Hubs” Program, aiming to develop a Hub of Excellence in photonically enabled metasurfaces for 5G applications, with the overall socio-economic objective of enhancing Research and Technology.

Ladies and Gentlemen,

In a rapidly evolving world, amidst an unprecedented pandemic, it is now even more vital than ever to embrace result-driven creativity to fuel cutting-edge ideas across all levels of education, society and industry.

For us, through our different capacities under the umbrella of the National Research and Innovation Governance System – but also for me personally – creating strong synergies and cultivating a culture of creativity and innovation are a top priority. These are fundamental in order to develop a productive R&I environment that will strengthen the local ecosystem and create value-added, internationally competitive, innovative products and services.

To this end, the Government has already proven its strong commitment to establish Research and Innovation as a fundamental base of a new growth model, capable of expanding the productive base of the Cyprus economy.

To materialize these, it is essential to broaden the academia-business cooperation networks, bringing the best talents of our research and innovation community together with local businesses and SMEs, whilst creating linkages with multinational industries, international VCs and investors and facilitating access to high-risk capital.

It is necessary to recognise the importance and direct impact of Research and Innovation towards economic growth and social prosperity and act in unison and alignment to realize our national vision and strategy.

Dear Friends,

I would like to congratulate you once again and wish you every success in your work. Keep evolving with the same devotion and I can assure you that together we can create new opportunities for our country.

Thank you.