Amdocs professionals note dramatic increase in Cyprus tech sector opportunities

Both employed at Amdocs Ltd’s Limassol office for a number of years, Iuliana Secrieru, Product Manager, who is originally from Moldova, and Scott Ashman, Software Engineering Line Manager, who is originally from South Africa, share their thoughts on the local tech sector and their views on living and working in Cyprus.

Describe your current job in Cyprus.

Iuliana Secrieru: I work on a cloud-based product called Digital Brand Suite, which operates as a ‘pay-as-you-go’ subscription model.

Scott Ashman: I work for Vubiquity, an Amdocs company that provides global media and entertainment technologies, products and services. I currently lead the software engineering organisation, including software development, software testing, and software architecture teams.

What led to your move to Cyprus?

I.S.: I was working at the National Telecom Operator for 7 years until I got a referral for a position in Amdocs Cyprus. I had never thought or planned to leave Moldova but my husband and I decided to open this ‘door’ in our lives; I still don’t regret it as we truly enjoy our life in Cyprus.

S.A.: In 2018, I came across a management opportunity at Amdocs and I applied while in Cyprus on vacation (my wife is half-Cypriot and we had been regular visitors here). Three months later, we sold our house, put people in place to run our business – my wife owned and ran a successful kindergarten – and moved with our three kids to Cyprus. We have settled so well here that we decided to sell our business in SA.

How does the professional environment in Cyprus differ from that in your country?

I.S.: The professional environment in Cyprus is one of the main factors that make my job so pleasant. Amdocs is a multinational company, and it’s an amazing experience to work with colleagues from various cultures, to share perspectives and learn from each other. I find the overall atmosphere very friendly and kind, with lots of positive attitudes.

S.A.: It is similar given that Amdocs is a big multinational company. One key differentiator is the vast number of different nationalities working at Amdocs Cyprus.

How do you view the business environment in your particular industry?

I.S.: The business environment in software and services is continuously changing. Technologies are evolving fast and our strategy and products must continuously stay innovative, to provide solutions for businesses and routes to the future.

S.A.: Having observed the tech industry in Cyprus for more than ten years from the outside, I would say that there has been a dramatic increase in opportunities in the sector.

How do you find working and living in Cyprus? How easily did you adapt to life here?

I.S.: Working and living in Cyprus is amazing from every perspective. The most important aspects for me are the people and the hospitality. The Mediterranean spirit and culture are there to be discovered and admired in the local people. Another aspect of Cyprus that I love, and wouldn’t exchange for anything else, is the climate and spectacular nature; spending my weekends with my family in a leisurely atmosphere helps me recharge and stay motivated and dedicated to my job.

S.A.: When we arrived in 2018, rental prices in Limassol were already getting expensive so we struggled to find a suitable place for our family of five. We were very lucky to be able to buy a house; this played a big role in helping us settle here.

Iuliana Secrieru

• Country of origin: Moldova
• Job Title: Product Manager
• Company: Amdocs Ltd
• Office Location: Limassol
• Time in Cyprus: 10 years
• Other countries she has lived/worked in: Moldova
• Favourite restaurant in Cyprus: Katoi Restaurant, Omodos
• Activities she enjoys in Cyprus: Walking by the beach with my family, swimming, skiing in the Troodos Mountains

Scott Ashman

• Country of origin: South Africa
• Job Title: Software Engineering Line Manager
• Company: Amdocs Ltd
• Office Location: Limassol
• Time in Cyprus: 4.5 years
• Other countries he has lived/worked in: South Africa
• Favourite restaurant in Cyprus: Hobo Mediterraneo, Limassol
• Favourite bar in Cyprus: Sherlock Holmes Bar, Limassol
• Activities he enjoys in Cyprus: Boating and water sports, cycling with the kids, exploring the island, visiting different hotels

This interview first appeared in the March issue of GOLD magazine. Click here to view it.