Natasa Pilides: My return to CIM-Cyprus Business School and my next steps in politics

Former Energy, Commerce and Industry Minister Natasa Pilides says her return to CIM-Cyprus Business School was a natural progression. After serving as a member of its Advisory Board from 2015 up to 2018, now she is re-joining as the Board’s Vice Chairwoman.

In an interview with InBusinessNews, Pilides says she was always interested in education – and particularly professional education – as she said it was the cornerstone for the growth of each professional individually but also Cyprus as a whole, by creating a reliable business centre with properly educated human resources.

“I believe that CIM-Cyprus Business School has grown into a highly reliable Business School of international standard, which can stand on an equal footing with any corresponding organisation abroad,” said Pilides.

Asked whether this marks the end of her political career, Pilides said this new beginning was merely a part of a broader plan of actions and plans for the future, which for the time being do not include politics. “However, I have not decided to withdraw from politics, as my interest in public affairs remains,” she added.

Natasa Pilides’ full interview with InBusinessNews follows:

How did your collaboration with CIM-Cyprus Business School come about?

I was a member of the CIM-Cyprus Business School Advisory Board from 2015 until 2018; a position I resigned from after taking up duties as Deputy Minister of Shipping of the Republic of Cyprus.

During our collaboration back then, I had the opportunity to closely follow but also to contribute to the Organisation’s growth.

My return to CIM-Cyprus Business School following my tenure as Minister of Energy, Commerce and Industry was a natural progression, given our close cooperation in the past.

I believe that CIM-Cyprus Business School has grown into a highly reliable Business School of international standard, which can stand on an equal footing with any corresponding organisation abroad.

What will your duties be at CIM-Cyprus Business School;

At CIM-Cyprus Business School I will serve as Vice President of the Advisory Board, giving particular emphasis to entrepreneurship and development issues, focusing on the field of professional education in specialised subjects

It is an area in which CIM-Cyprus Business School already has a proven track record of providing quality services to companies of various sizes and profiles.

What does this collaboration mean to you and your career?

I have always been interested in the education sector and particularly professional education, as it is the cornerstone for the growth of each professional individually but also Cyprus, as a reliable business centre with properly educated human resources.

In Cyprus, while the level of education is extremely high, many companies (for example in the technology, shipping and industry sectors) identify a skills mismatch, which should be addressed in order to increase and further establish companies operating in Cyprus, and at the same time to increase the prospects and advancement possibilities of the human resources we have, but also of the new people who are now joining the labour market.

I believe that CIM-Cyprus Business School, which has always adopted good management and transparency practices through the strategic interventions and guidance of the Advisory Board, but also the decisive action of the management and staff, will be able to contribute practically to upgrading the quality of our country's human resources, always in view of the development of the skills required in the labour market and the professions of the future.

Does this new beginning mark your withdrawal from active political action?

This new beginning is part of a broader plan of actions and plans I have for the future, which is not directly related to politics.

However, I have not decided to withdraw from politics, as my interest in public affairs remains.