The Cyprus Institute

world class in its standards
international in its membership
partnered with established world class institutions
dedicated to the advancement of knowledge
independent in its support, public in its commitment and service

In January 2008 the Cyprus Institute and the Max Planck Institute for Chemistry (MPIC) in Mainz , Germany, entered into a partnership in the area of atmospheric chemistry and climate research. Since January 2008, an active cooperation has been established with the Energy, Environment and Water Research Center (EEWRC).

The mission of the MPIC is to perform basic research and explore the Earth and its environment on a wide range of scales, from ecosystems to the solar system, and from nanoparticles to supernovae. The MPIC conducts field studies of natural phenomena as well as laboratory analyses and experiments under controlled conditions, while Earth system interactions and feedback mechanisms are studied through computer modeling.

The cooperative work with the Cyprus Institute aims to extend the basic research efforts and develop applications with a focus on the Mediterranean region. It is expected that this will contribute to the knowledge and methods needed for the sustainable use of natural resources and environmental protection.

The partnership with MPIC includes the dual tutoring of PhD students by the Cyprus Institute and the International Max Planck Research School of Atmospheric Chemistry and Physics at MPIC  and involves an exchange program for young scientists. One first initiative has been the joint autumn school on Climate Change: Causes and Impacts, organized in October 2008 in Paphos.

The research focus is on the Eastern Mediterranean and Middle East “hotspots” of atmospheric photochemistry, aerosol pollution and climate change. These hotspots have been identified in the analyses of satellite observations as well as projections of climate change for the 21st century. The objective is to understand the links between air pollution and climate and develop the capability to develop regional projections for the coming decades and beyond. It is anticipated that Cyprus, at the crossroads of three continents, will act as a “gateway” of scientific exchanges between Europe and the Orient.