The Italian Minister of Education, University and Research, Senator Prof. Stefania Giannini visits CyI
The Italian Minister of Education, University and Research, Senator Prof. Stefania Giannini visited The Cyprus Institute on Thursday, 26th November 2015. Prof. Giannini was accompanied by Mr. Gianluigi Benedetti, Minister Plenipotentiary and Diplomatic Adviser to the Minister and Mr. Angelo Di Silvio, Spokesperson of the Minister.
The visit to CyI, coincided with Prof. Giannini’s official visit to Cyprus to sign with the Cypriot Minister of Education, Prof. Costas Kadis an Executive Program for the years 2016- 2019, based on the Cultural Agreement between the government of the Republic of Cyprus and the government of the Italian Republic. During the meeting at The Cyprus Institute she was briefed by the President, Prof. Costas N. Papanicolas about the Institute’s scientific and educational activities. Special emphasis was given on the strategic partnerships and close collaboration with internationally renowned Italian Institutions on the fields of Energy, Archaeology and Cultural Heritage and Climate and Atmospheric Research. Reference was also made to the jointly-awarded PhD diplomas with two Italian Universities, as well as to the Bi-Lateral Erasmus cooperation.
Prof. Giannini stated that she is very pleased that she was given the opportunity to visit CyI as the Institute has a rich portfolio of collaboration with Italy. There is solid ground in order to further enhance the collaboration, especially in the framework of the Horizon2020 and the Erasmus Mobility programs she said. She praised the scientific work carried out at CyI and highlighted the unique geopolitical location of Cyprus, adding that CyI can act as a gateway for research and technology between EU, the Eastern Mediterranean and Middle East countries, and to this end her ministry strongly supports the cooperation between The Cyprus Institute and Italian Universities and Organizations.
The president of CyI acknowledging the high quality research and educational programs and the long-standing tradition of academic excellence of the Italian Universities and Institutions, stated that scientists and students from both countries are greatly benefiting though the joint activities and exchange programs.
The meeting was attended by the Honorable Minister of Education and Culture, Prof. Costas Kadis, the Ambassador of Italy in Cyprus H.E. Mr. Guido Cerboni, the First Secretary of the Embassy of Italy in Cyprus, Mrs. Beatrice Vecchioni and the Head of the Office for European and International Affairs of the Ministry of Education and Culture, Mrs Niki Papa. On behalf of the Institute the meeting was attended by Dr Andreas Pittas, Chair of CyI’s Executive Committee, by the CyI Trustees Mrs. Androulla Vassiliou and Dr Petros Kareklas and by scientific staff.
