On Wednesday, March 9, 2022, AKEL General Secretary, Mr Stefanos Stefanou, accompanied by the Member of the Parliament, Mr Christos Christofias, the Former Member of the European Parliament, Mr Neoklis Silikiotis, and the Head of Research, Innovation and Digital Policy Bureau of AKEL, Mr Angelos Kassianos, visited The Cyprus Institute’s premises in Athalassa, Nicosia.

Hosting the meeting was CyI President, Prof. Costas N. Papanicolas in the presence of CyI Vice-President of Operations, Dr Michalis Yiangou, CyI Asst. Vice President of Policy and Internal Communications, Mrs. Eleni Sophocleous, the Manager of the Graduate School and Head of the Office of Graduate Studies, Dr Chrysanthia Leontiou, Head of PROTEAS Operations Facility, Dr Marios C. Georgiou, and CyI Associate Professor in Energy Policy, Dr Theodoros Zachariades.

In his greeting, Mr Stephanou noted that research and innovation provide the society and economy with stability and sustainability, and these two pillars should characterize the economic model of Cyprus. He also said that we should give more opportunities to young Cypriot scientists, and at the same time to put an end to the “brain drain” phenomenon. Finally, Mr Stephanou expressed his gratitude for the opportunity to visit, congratulated the administration and the scientists of the Institute for its excellent work, the impressive, modern facilities and their research achievements, and reassured that AKEL will support CyI’s future efforts.

Addressing the General Secretary of AKEL, Prof. Papanicolas stated that it is CyI’s duty and mission to inform the Cyprus political parties, policy-makers, the Parliament and the Government about CyI’s development through research and innovation, as well as to provide solutions for problems that Cyprus is facing. The visit of the delegation of AKEL is an important part of an ongoing and creative dialogue, he concluded.

Following a brief presentation on the Institute’s research and educational activities by Dr Michalis Yiangou, the delegation of AKEL was given a guided tour of CyI campus and Institute’s laboratories, including USRL, HPC facility and APAC Labs.