Meeting of the Seven Centres of Excellence of Cyprus with the President of the Republic of Cyprus

Discussion focused on the sustainability of the Centres and their contribution to science diplomacy, regional cooperation, and the use of Artificial Intelligence as priority areas for the Cypriot Presidency

The President of the Republic of Cyprus, Mr Nikos Christodoulides, met on Thursday, 29 May 2025, with the Heads of the seven Centres of Excellence operating in Cyprus, namely KIOS, CYENS, CMMI, ERATOSTHENES, CARE-C, biobank.cy, and PHAETHON. Also present at the meeting were the Minister of Finance, Mr Makis Keravnos, the Deputy Minister of Research, Innovation and Digital Policy, Dr Nikodimos Damianou, and the Deputy Minister to the President, Ms Irini Piki.

The President praised the role of the Centres within the national Research and Innovation ecosystem, congratulated the Heads on their work, and reaffirmed the government’s commitment to continuing its support. The aim is to enhance the competitiveness of the Cypriot economy and promote the strategic autonomy of the European Union. He highlighted their contribution to science diplomacy, regional cooperation, and the deployment of Artificial Intelligence — all of which will form key priorities during Cyprus’s Presidency of the Council of the European Union in the first half of 2026.

According to the National Research and Innovation Strategy (Dec. 2023), the Centres of Excellence are active in strategically important sectors, fostering innovation through partnerships with academia, industry, and the public sector. They also undertake initiatives with strong societal and economic impact. In recent years, they have developed international collaborations, built infrastructure, and nurtured human capital, enabling them to contribute significantly to knowledge generation, knowledge transfer, and the commercial exploitation of research.

It was emphasised that the Centres can become a driving force for the return of Cypriot scientists under the government’s ‘Brain Gain’ strategy. Many scientists have returned as a result of the Centres’ establishment, showcasing the high calibre of Cypriot human capital. The Centres are currently in a phase of institutional and strategic consolidation and have established the “CYTEx – Cyprus Teaming for Excellence Network”. They act as pillars of the green and digital transitions, developing practical solutions for health, the economy, and society through applied research and collaboration with industry.

As each Centre of Excellence was approved by the European Commission and implemented to address national needs in distinct scientific and technological fields, the government supports their integration into the wider ecosystem to ensure their long-term sustainability.

The President expressed his determination to safeguard the sustainability of the Centres through the introduction of basic funding, based on a performance evaluation system. At the same time, he gave instructions for the immediate resolution of key issues, such as the establishment of a framework for the commercialisation of research and the strengthening of their international presence.