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Important research and innovation collaborations to support the digital and green transformation of the city of Larnaca

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On the 28th of September 2021, the KIOS Research and Innovation Center of Excellence at the University of Cyprus signed Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) with Larnaca Municipality, Larnaca’s Water Board, and Larnaca’s Sewerage and Drainage Board, to support the digital and green transformation of the city of Larnaca. This transformation will help the city respond effectively to adverse effects caused by climate change.

The KIOS CoE will collaborate with Larnaca’s public authorities to develop and implement innovative technological solutions, which will transform Larnaca into a “smart city” and make its critical infrastructures (related to water and sewerage systems, health systems, and emergency response systems) more efficient, sustainable, and secure. This collaborative approach is also aligned with EU’s priorities and the EU Recovery Plan that promote green and digital transitions.

On behalf of the University of Cyprus, the MoUs were signed by the Rector, Prof. Tasos Christofides, and the KIOS CoE Acting Director, Prof. Christos Panayiotou; on behalf of Larnaca Municipality by the Mayor, Mr. Andreas Vyras; on behalf of the Larnaca Water Board by the District Officer and Chairman of the Board, Mr. Odysseas Hadjistefanou; and on behalf of the Larnaca Sewerage and Drainage Board by the Director, Mr. Angelos Hadjicharalambous.

During the signing ceremony, the Rector of the University of Cyprus, Prof. Tasos Christofides, stated that the key for the development of Cyprus is the connection between the Cypriot universities and the society at large. He also noted that Centers of Excellence in Cyprus aim to develop and implement applications to achieve sustainable growth. “I am confident that the synergy between KIOS CoE and Larnaca Municipality, Water Board, and Sewerage and Drainage Board will contribute to the shaping of the future that we envision for Cyprus and its young people”, he concluded.

On behalf of Larnaca Municipality, the Mayor, Mr. Andreas Vyras, stated that the signing of the MoU between KIOS CoE and the Municipality marks an important milestone in the joint efforts of both parties to transform Larnaca into a modern European city that respects the environment and protects its citizens. This agreement, he added, provides the framework for the transformation of Larnaca into a “smart city”, aimed at the improvement of the citizens’ daily lives.

The District Officer and Chairman of the Larnaca Water Board, Mr. Odysseas Hadjistefanou said that the aim of the collaboration between KIOS CoE and the Larnaca Water Board is the implementation of research and innovation actions in the area of intelligent water systems. These actions, he stated, will contribute to the improvement of the organization’s capabilities to offer high-quality water supply services to the community.

In addition, the Director of the Larnaca Sewerage and Drainage Board, Mr. Angelos Hadjicharalambous, underlined the fact that digital transformation will play an important role in the economic growth and social development of Cyprus. For this reason, he added, the Board will collaborate with KIOS CoE to develop an innovative digital system for better monitoring of Larnaca’s sewerage and drainage network. Through this tool, he said, the Board will enhance its decision-making capabilities.

Finally, on behalf of the KIOS CoE, the Acting Director Prof. Christos Panayiotou, mentioned that the Center, through its “Innovation Hub” pursues research and innovation collaborations with organizations involved in the monitoring, control, management, and security of critical infrastructures, with the aim to improve their operations by exploiting its research outcomes and providing its expertise. This in turn, he added, will bring multiple benefits to the Cyprus economy and society, as it will strengthen its competitiveness and improve the citizens’ welfare.