Chief Scientist for Research Skourides holds contacts in Japan

The Chief Scientist of the Republic of Cyprus for Research, Innovation and Technology, Demetris Skourides, recently held a series of meetings in Tokyo to strengthen cooperation in the fields of research and innovation.

According to a press release, the week included a series of important actions and meetings of the Chief Scientist, “highlighting the state’s commitment to promoting international cooperation in research, innovation and technology”.

Skourides had separate meetings in Tokyo with the Counsellor for Science, Innovation, Digital Technology and European Policies of the EU Delegation to Japan, Peter Fatelnig, as well as with the EU Ambassador to Japan, Jean-Eric Paquet.

On 10 April, Skourides participated in the opening ceremony of the Sea Japan 2024 Exhibition (Offshore & Port Tech), together with other government officials of the Republic of Cyprus, such as the Minister of Energy, Commerce and Industry, George Papanastasiou, and the Ambassador of Cyprus to Japan, Yannis Michaelides. Cyprus participated with an exhibition stand in which representatives of the Deputy Ministry of Shipping presented the advantages of Cypriot shipping and blue economy and the credibility of the Cypriot flag.

The Chief Scientist “referred to the emphasis given to Shipping, in the context of Strategic Research and Innovation, to develop the research capabilities of the ecosystem”, the press release said. In particular, it added, he referred to the role of one of the Centres of Excellence, the Cyprus Marine & Maritime Institute (CMMI) in applied research but also to the importance the centre gives to the development of green skills and products in shipping.

Subsequently, it added, “important meetings” were held with Japanese agencies, including the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology and the Director of the International Science & Technology Science Policy Bureau, to whom, Chief Scientist presented the main pillars of the Digital Policy of Cyprus, “confirming the interest for cooperation in the fields of Research and Technology”, with the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding.

The Chief Scientist also met with the President of the Japan Science and Technology Agency (JST), Hashimoto Kazuhito. During the meeting the specificities of the two countries in the fields of basic and applied research were discussed, it notes.

Skourides also visited Japan's largest innovation center, Cambridge Innovation Center (CIC).

In the context of a meeting with the Deputy Director of the CIC, Dr. Masaru Nagura, “the cooperation possibilities between the startup ecosystems of Cyprus and Japan were explored”. Discussions focused on sharing best practices, mentoring opportunities and identifying areas of mutual cooperation to jointly promote innovation and entrepreneurship between the two countries, the press release said.

It is noted that the actions of the Chief Scientist were part of the implementation of the Research and Innovation Strategy 2024-2026 and the efforts to internationalise Cyprus' Research and Innovation ecosystem, with the aim of promoting the cooperation of Cypriot agencies in matters of innovation and sustainable development, both regionally and on a global scale.

(Source: CNA)