As part of its mission to support and promote The Cyprus Institute (CyI), the Friends of The Cyprus Institute Association has arranged for Presidential candidates in the ongoing presidential campaign to visit The Cyprus Institute to meet with its staff and to discuss issues pertaining to education, research, and innovation. A number of candidates will be visiting The Cyprus Institute in the forthcoming months, on dates arranged in consultation with their corresponding campaign staff.

On Monday, 5th of September 2022, the first such visit by Presidential candidate Mr. Nikos Christodoulides, took place at The Cyprus Institute where he was informed about the Institute’s diverse work and mission, and was subsequently given a guided tour of its facilities. Mr Christodoulides was accompanied by members of his campaign team Mrs. Marilena Evangelou and Mrs. Josie Christodoulou.

Hosting the meeting was CyI President, Prof. Costas Papanicolas, in the presence of senior staff including CyI Vice President of Operations, Dr Michalis Yiangou, CyI Assistant Vice President of Strategy and Development, Dr Konstantinos Kleovoulou, CyI Assistant Vice President of Policy and Internal Communications, Mrs. Eleni Sophocleous, CyI Manager of the Graduate School and CyI Head of the Office of Graduate Studies, Dr Chrysanthia Leontiou, CyI Professor in Energy Policy, Dr Theodoros Zachariadis. Also present on behalf of the Friends of The Cyprus Institute Association, its President, Dr Petros Kareklas, its Vice-President, Mrs. Soulla Kythreotou-Zavou, and its Secretary, Dr Lazaros Savvides.

Following a brief presentation on CyI’s activities and discussion between Mr. Christodoulides and CyI’s Administration that focused on issues of research, Mr. Christodoulides was given a guided tour of the CyI campus, facilities and Institute’s laboratories, including the Unmanned Systems Research Laboratory (USRL) and Linear Fresnel Facility (LIFE).

During the visit Mr. Nikos Christodoulides stated to the press that he is well-informed about the activities of The Cyprus Institute, and that today’s visit focuses on how the State can further strengthen the role of CyI, which is widely recognized. “The Cyprus Institute gives the direction in which our country should invest and focus on the two crucial pillars: research and innovation. The Cyprus Institute can lead as a worthy Ambassador of the Republic of Cyprus in the wider region of the Eastern Mediterranean and the Middle East, creating synergies and collaborations, not only with the governments of the States of the region, but also with the private sector and other scientific centers”, he mentioned.

Prof. Papanicolas noted that this visit provided an opportunity to exchange views on key issues of major importance for Cyprus and the region. “We look forward to continuing the broader dialogue around these issues in the future”, he added.

Dr Kareklas stated that this initiative and such visits are taking place within the framework of the Institute's actions, to bring the Institute's work, knowledge, research, innovation and its achievements closer to society.

Finally, Mr. Christodoulides expressed his gratitude for the opportunity to visit, and congratulated the Administration and the researchers of The Cyprus Institute for the impressive facilities and their research achievements. The visit to The Cyprus Institute was a great opportunity for Mr. Christodoulides to identify the impact of CyI’s research and its contributions to society.