Through the Teaming project, the KIOS Research and Innovation Center of Excellence has become a leading European Centre for Research and Innovation in the field of Information and Communication Technology, with a focus on critical infrastructure systems.
The conference entitled ‘KIOS Teaming Project Conference: celebrating Achievements and Paving the Way Forward’, organised by the University of Cyprus’ Centre of Excellence for Research and Innovation ‘KIOS’, on 27 March 2025, at the premises of the University of Cyprus, was a great success.
The event was held in the context of the completion of the European Project ‘KIOS Teaming Project’ (2017 – Feb. 2025), which aimed to transform the ‘KIOS’ Research Centre into a European Centre of Excellence for Research and Innovation. The aim of the event was to highlight the Centre’s development path, its achievements, future plans, as well as its socio-economic impact locally and internationally.
Addressing the event, on behalf of the President of the Republic, the Deputy Minister of Research, Innovation and Digital Policy, Dr. Nicodemus Damianou, praised the work of ‘KIOS’ from its establishment until today, saying that the Centre is at the forefront of cutting-edge research, innovation and technological development, attracting talented researchers and securing significant research funding from European and national resources.
Referring to the support offered by the KIOS Research and Innovation Center of Excellence to the Government, the Deputy Minister made special reference to the period of the COVID-19 pandemic, during which the Centre developed essential tools that helped the competent authorities to respond quickly and take decisions to manage the crisis. He also underlined that this support continues to this day as the Centre develops solutions to protect critical infrastructure and resilience of key services, including energy, water, intelligent transport, health and telecommunications, among others. In conclusion, the Deputy Minister said that the KIOS Centre of Excellence is a testament to what can be achieved when vision, innovation and collaboration combine.
On behalf of the KIOS Research and Innovation Center of Excellence, the Chairman of the Council and Coordinator of the KIOS Teaming Project, Professor of the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering at the University of Cyprus, Marios Polycarpou, referred to the successful course of the Centre, focusing on the implementation period of the Teaming Project from 2017 to date.
According to Professor Polycarpou, during this period the Centre has experienced unprecedented growth, achieving, among other things, the attraction of a significant number of researchers, highly qualified in high technology, the creation of the ‘KIOS Innovation Hub’, aiming to provide research and innovation services to organisations involved in the management, operation and security of critical infrastructure, as well as the development of large-scale experimental research infrastructures, in order to test technologies in the field of research and development of new technologies.
Concluding, Professor Polycarpou said that since its establishment in 2008 to date, the Centre has created jobs for more than 650 professionals and has participated in 165 research and innovation projects, securing funding of more than €53 million. In addition, it has participated in 87 industry-funded projects, with funds of €11.5 million.
In his own statement, the Director of the Centre, Professor of the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering at the University of Cyprus, Christos Panayiotou, referred to the collaborations that the Centre has with organisations involved in the management, operation and security of critical infrastructure and the results of these collaborations. According to Professor Panayiotou, through these partnerships, the transfer of knowledge and the creation of innovative solutions for the benefit of society are promoted.
On behalf of Imperial College London, a strategic partner of the Coos Centre of Excellence, the conference was attended by Professor Thomas Parisini, who presented ‘Science for Humanity: Imperial College Strategy and Pathways to Impact’. Professor Parisini presented the interdisciplinary approach that characterises Imperial’s strategy, saying that this approach is now being applied at KIOS, bringing positive results. On behalf of the Cyprus Academy of Sciences, Letters and Arts, its President, Professor Achilleas Emilianides, participated, who developed the theme ‘Investing in Excellence’, stressing the importance of the state’s investment in basic research. The event was also addressed by the President of the Council of the University of Cyprus, Mr. Tasos Anastasiou, who spoke about the impact of the Centre’s research on the economy and society of Cyprus, and the Rector, Professor Tasos Christofides, who spoke about the Centre’s research excellence.
Roundtable discussion
The event also included a discussion on “Critical infrastructure: Security, Resilience and Sustainability‘, with participants from representatives of critical infrastructure organizations and partners of the KIOS Innovation Hub. The aim of the discussion was to highlight the current challenges facing critical infrastructure systems and the need to ensure their security, resilience, and sustainability through various research and innovation activities. Participants in the discussion included Mr. Socrates Metaxas from the Limassol District Municipality, Dr. Andreas Stavrou from the Cyprus Electricity Authority, Mr. Aristotle Savva from the Department of Public Works, Dr. Natasha Anastasiadou from the Ministry of Health and Mr. Savvas Agathokleous from the Cyprus Police. Dr. Christos Laoudias, Research Lecturer, took the role of moderator of the discussion. During the discussion, special emphasis was placed on the fact that the close cooperation between the Centre of Excellence ‘KIOS’ and these organisations yields technological solutions, which help them to meet modern challenges. In addition, all mentioned that they look forward to continuing and further strengthening the cooperation with KIOS to improve the resilience and sustainability of critical infrastructure.
At the end of the event, a demonstration of technologies by the researchers of ‘KIOS was held, as well as an exhibition of posters, which highlighted the work carried out at the Centre. The event was attended by more than 140 people, including Embassy envoys, government officials, representatives and executives of public and private sector organisations in Cyprus, the academic and research community, partners and associates of the KIOS Centre of Excellence.
Information about the KIOS Research and Innovation Center of Excellence: https://www.kios.ucy.ac.cy/
Source: University of Cyprus | Latest news (https://tinyurl.com/5hx5zwxb)