A high ranking delegation from the Cyprus Democratic Rally Party visited The Cyprus Institute (CyI) on Friday, 9 November 2012. The delegation consisted of parliament members Mr. Charis Georgiades, DHSY Spokesman, Mr. Tasos Mitsopoulos, DHSY parliament representative and Mr. Nikos Tornarites, Vice President of the party and President of the Parliamentary Committee on Education.

During the meeting which was also attended by members of the academic and research staff, the President of the Institute, Prof. Costas N. Papanicolas presented to the delegation the Institute’s overall vision and achievements and briefed them about the progress on its strategic development plan, on the research accomplishments, and the problems and challenges that the Institute faces.

Particular emphasis was given to the significant achievements in the areas of Solar Energy and Desalination, Climate Change, Computational Science and the Study and Preservation of Cultural Heritage, all of which highlight the regional nature of the Institute and establish it as a leading research institution in the Eastern Mediterranean. The meeting was also attended by Mr. Manthos Mavrommatis, Member of CyI’s Board of Trustees as well as Mr. Andreas Mouskos and Dr. Petros Kareklas, honorary and founding members of the CyI Board.

Following the presentation, the Democratic Rally Party delegation visited a number of research facilities of the Institute, where scientific staff presented some of the innovating research programs of the Institute.

During the meeting there was a common identification of opinions regarding the need of focusing on research and innovation in Cyprus as well as the role these play in converting Cyprus to a regional academic center for research.

The development of The Cyprus Institute has already contributed towards the realization of the aforementioned goals while its further development is largely defined by them.