Deputy Minister: KIOS Centre of Excellence is instrumental in establishing Cyprus as a research hub.

The KIOS Centre of Excellence is a prime example of the power of vision, innovation, and collaboration, according to Dr. Nicodemos Damianou, Deputy Minister of Research, Innovation, and Digital Policy. Speaking at the University of Cyprus on 27 March, he praised KIOS for its significant contributions to Cyprus as a hub for research and technology.

Damianou emphasized that research, innovation, and entrepreneurship drive Cyprus’s growth and global presence. He highlighted Cyprus’s achievements, including being ranked as a Strong Innovator in the European Innovation Scoreboard 2024 for the third year in a row and ranking 27th in the Global Innovation Index. The country also ranks among the Top 50 Startup Ecosystems and is 6th in Europe for enabling startup growth.

He discussed government efforts to support innovation, including the Cyprus Equity Fund, a revised Startup Visa scheme, and tax incentives for innovative companies. He also mentioned the government's focus on reversing brain drain and attracting talent back to Cyprus in 2025.

KIOS has played a pivotal role in technological innovation, contributing to the government’s strategic goals and securing prestigious ERC grants. It supported the government during the pandemic by developing tools for real-time COVID-19 monitoring and continues to aid in areas like critical infrastructure protection, smart water management, intelligent transport systems, and cybersecurity.

Damianou concluded by reaffirming the government’s commitment to supporting KIOS and its mission to drive innovation forward.