-
.
- Ελληνικά
The Chief Scientist of the Republic of Cyprus had a series of meetings in Tokyo
The Chief Scientist for Research, Innovation and Technology of the Republic of Cyprus, Mr. Dimitris Skourides. The week included a series of important activities and meetings of the Chief Scientist, highlighting the state's commitment to promote international cooperation in research, innovation and technology. During the meeting, issues related to Cyprus' innovation ecosystem and its alignment with EU strategies, the role of EU-funded Centres of Excellence and their contribution to applied research and the intensification of actions towards faster commercialisation and exploitation of innovative ideas, new technologies, etc. were discussed. Particular emphasis was placed on information on the focus areas of EU-Japan partnerships, such as energy, biotechnology and digital technology. The importance of the recently announced EU Data Governance Regulation (EU Data ACT) and how to address common challenges in its implementation were also discussed.
On 10 April, the Chief Scientist participated in the opening ceremony of the Sea Japan 2024 (Offshore & Port Tech) Trade Fair along with other government officials of the Republic of Cyprus, including the Minister of Energy, Trade and Industry, Mr. George Papanastasiou and the Honorary Ambassador of Cyprus to Japan, Mr. Yiannis Michaelides. Cyprus participated with an exhibition stand, where representatives of the Deputy Ministry of Shipping presented the advantages of Cypriot shipping and the blue economy and the credibility of the Cypriot flag, while providing information on the services offered by Cyprus as a developed Maritime Centre.
The Chief Scientist referred to the emphasis placed on Shipping, under the Research and Innovation Strategy, to develop the research capabilities of the ecosystem. In particular, he referred to the role played by one of the Centres of Excellence, the Cyprus Marine & Maritime Institute (CMMI), in applied research, as well as the importance the Centre places on the development of green skills and products in Shipping. He went on to praise the excellent work being done for the digital transformation of the Deputy Ministry of Shipping under the leadership of Deputy Minister Marina Hadjimanolis, while he also mentioned the innovative company Cellock, which has a key role in the implementation of the project.
Subsequently, important meetings were held with Japanese stakeholders, including the Deputy Director of the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology (MEXT) and Mr. Nishijo Masaaki and Mr. Odoi Satoshi (Director International Science & Technology Science Policy Bureau), to whom Mr. Skourides - after consultation with the competent Deputy Minister of Research, Innovation and Digital Policy of Cyprus, Mr. Nicodemus Damianos - presented the main axes of Cyprus' Digital Policy, confirming the interest in cooperation in the fields of Research and Technology by launching the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU).
The Chief Scientist also met with the President of the Japan Science Foundation (JST), Mr. Hashimoto Kazuhito, where the specificities of the two countries in the fields of basic and applied research were discussed. Mr. Kazuhito showed particular interest in cooperation in the fields of research through the European Partnerships of the EU's Horizon Europe programme, in which Japan participates. Mr Skourides highlighted the importance of the Cyprus Ministry of Research, Innovation and Digital Policy, through actions and policies included in the Research and Innovation Strategy. The actions aim at strengthening relations and cooperation between research organisations and centres of excellence with industry, further commercial exploitation of results, as well as the need for extroversion and internationalisation of the Cypriot ecosystem, by promoting participation in the European Partnerships for Energy, Sustainable Marine Economy, Rare Diseases, etc. The discussions highlighted the mutual benefits of initiatives such as Japan's "Brain Circulation" project and the opportunities for Cyprus.
On April 11, the Chief Scientist met with H.E. Mr. Jean-Eric Paquet, Ambassador of the European Union to Japan at the headquarters of the European Delegation in Tokyo. During the meeting, Mr Skourides briefed Mr Jean-Eric Paquet on the pillars of the new Cyprus Research and Innovation Strategy, which was endorsed by the Council of Ministers in December 2023. The discussion focused on actions aimed at internationalisation and cooperation between research organisations and industry, with emphasis on the commercialisation of innovative companies, but also on the role that centres of excellence can play in the field. The meeting underlined the importance of EU-Japan partnerships in promoting innovation and scientific progress.
To round off the week's activities, the Chief Scientist visited Japan's largest innovation centre, the Cambridge Innovation Centre (CIC). In a meeting with the Deputy Director of the CIC, Dr Masaru Nagura, the potential for collaboration between the start-up ecosystems of Cyprus and Japan was explored. Discussions focused on sharing best practices, mentoring opportunities and identifying areas of mutual cooperation to jointly promote innovation and entrepreneurship between the two countries.
The activities of the Chief Scientist are part of the implementation of the Research and Innovation Strategy 2024-2026 and the efforts to internationalize Cyprus' Research and Innovation ecosystem, in order to promote collaboration among Cypriot stakeholders on innovation and sustainable development issues both regionally and globally.
Contents of this article including associated images are owned by PIO
Views & opinions expressed are those of the author and/or PIO
Source
