Promoting Technology and Applied Sciences in Cyprus

1. Promoting Technology and Applied Sciences in Cyprus Elpida Keravnou-Papailiou President of Governing Board Cyprus University of Technology

2. Summary • University provision (both state and private) • Research Institutions • Priority areas • Cyprus Science and Technology Park • Life Long Learning and International Collaboration

3. University Provision • University of Cyprus - 1992 • Cyprus University of Technology – 2007 • Private Universities – 2007 • Frederick University • EUC European University – Cyprus • University of Nicosia

4. The University of CyprusPostgraduate degrees School of Pure and Applied Sciences, School of Engineering

5. Cyprus University of Technology http://www.cut.ac.cy • Faculty of Engineering and Technology • Faculty of Geotechnical sciences and Environmental Management • Faculty of Applied Arts and Communication • Faculty of Health Sciences • Faculty of Management and Economics

6. CUT Mission • To develop itself into a modern, pioneering University able to offer education and high level research in leading branches of science and technology. • To establish for itself a role in support of the state and society in their efforts to confront problems, which cover all areas of science and technology

7. CUT Departments

8. Institute for the Environment and Public Health • Very recently approved • Under the Faculty of Health Sciences • In collaboration with the Harvard School of Public Health • Graduate programmes

9. Basic Targets • To provide education of a high scientific, technological, and professional level: • Modern curricula, student-centred learning, high calibre staff • To produce high quality research transcending the traditional boundaries between basic and applied research. • To allow Cyprus to attain an important position as a partner in a modern European setting, and to secure significant external research funding. • To promote University cooperation with local industry and the labor sector in order to participate in the national effort to innovate and constantly improve products and services.

10. University Campus Master Plan anticipates that until 2020: • the number of students will steadily grow to 7000-8000 • 5-7 Faculties • 21-28 departments • Student hostels are currently being set-up within walking distance from both areas planned to house the University

11. Research Orientation Based on the ERA Green Paper on Research, CUT gives importance to: • The strengthening of researchers mobility • The development of research infrastructures • The strengthening of the University’s research status by optimizing research opportunities • The development of international cooperation

12. Spectrum of Research Activity CUT Research Base comprises the following modes: • Basic Research – creates new explanations and questions • Strategic Research – explores ways to solve problems and create marketable products • Applied or Innovation Research – exploits basic and strategic research to create innovative products

13. Research Priorities towards the new ERA vision CUT Research targets societal priorities: • improvement of human healthand well-being • nature and impacts of climate change • development of sustainableenergy generation • creation of new knowledge

14. Some Facts and Figures • 2007 • 4 projects with national funding • 2 projects with European funding • Total funding: 310,000 Euro • 2008 • 41 projects with national funding • 5 projects with European funding • 3 FP7 and 2 Interreg projects • Total funding: 2.75 mEuro • 2009 • Total number of projects raised to 54 • 1 Marie Curie project as Lead Partner • 2 (national) Strategic infrastructure projects (Nanotechnology) • 8 mEuro in 4 years

15. International Collaboration CUT aims to develop, organize and maintain effective international relations and networking in order to promote: • Student and staff mobility as well as the development of international collaboration. • Transnational university cooperation particularly focused on European educational and research programmes

16. Private Universities • Total number of students more than 8,500 • Over 80 programs of study on the first or second cycle levels including: • Nursing • Physiotherapy • Computer Science • Computer Engineering • Architecture • Electrical Engineering • Civil Engineering • Mechanical Engineering • Automotive Engineering • Quantity Surveying

17. Research Institutions • Cyprus Institute for Neurology and Genetics • Agricultural Research Institute • Cyprus International Institute → CUT • Cyprus Institute

18. Priority Areas • Energy • Saving, sustainable provision • Water • Management, quality, drought mitigation • Environment • Health • Nanotechnology • Information Technology • The digital divide, e-governance, e-health

19. Cyprus Science and Technology Park • Promote effective synergies between universities, research institutions and the business community • Universities participate in the governance of STP • The research activities of the CUT Institute for the Environment and Public Health to be housed at the STP – additional area reserved for other research activities of CUT • Scholarships and grants for postgraduate students, principally doctorate students

20. Life Long Learning • Adult learning is of particular relevance to sciences and high technology, in order to keep abreast of rapid developments. • As a result of the speed in generating new knowledge, the half life of a qualification in sciences and technology is considered to be under two years. • LLL policies are of inherent importance to universities of applied sciences and technology and should form integral components of their missions.

21. International Collaboration • Many forms of international collaboration • Suggestion: Joint doctoral programmes