A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed between the University of Cyprus (UCY) and the Cyprus Ministry of Transport, Communications and Works (MTCW). The agreement supports the collaboration between the KIOS Research and Innovation Center of Excellence at the University of Cyprus and the Ministry of Transport for research and innovation activities to support green, efficient, and sustainable transportation networks.
The MoU was signed by the University of Cyprus Rector, Prof. Tasos Christofides, and the Minister of Transport, Communications and Works, Mr. Giannis Karousos, on the 22nd of October 2021 at the University of Cyprus campus.
The parties will collaborate to develop and implement innovative technological solutions with the aim to digitize Cyprus’ transportation network, increase the energy efficiency of the public transportation infrastructure, improve road safety, reduce traffic congestion, fuel consumption, and greenhouse gas emissions, and contribute to the green and sustainable development of the transportation infrastructure.
In addition, the MoU includes inter alia the opportunity for joint participation in research and innovation projects, funded by national and European research programs, the organization of educational and training activities, and the exchange of data and knowledge for research purposes.
During the signing ceremony, the UCY Rector, Prof. Tasos Christofides, said that the renewal of the collaboration agreement between the University of Cyprus, through the KIOS Center for Excellence, and the Ministry of Transport, Communications and Works, proves that investment in research undertaken at universities and research centers has a positive impact on the environment, society, and government. Referring to traffic congestion which affects citizens daily and to the ecological crisis, Prof. Christofides stressed that intervention of Centers of Excellence such as KIOS is required to improve the quality of our lives and achieve the sustainability of transportation in Cyprus.
The Minister of Transport, Communications and Works, Mr. Giannis Karousos, expressed his satisfaction for the close collaboration between the Ministry and UCY/KIOS CoE during the last few years. He signified that the joint participation in research projects has already produced results, which the Ministry will implement in the next years to achieve a better management and efficiency of transportation networks, as well as to contribute to the green and sustainable economy. Through the renewal of the collaboration agreement with the University of Cyprus, innovative technological solutions will be developed, which will help the Ministry face the challenges related to transportation, he added.
On behalf of the KIOS CoE, the Acting Director, Prof. Christos Panayiotou, said that the collaboration between KIOS CoE and the Ministry of Transport, Communications and Works is a “success story”, since it brings positive outcomes for the benefit of society. Research and innovation activities, he added, as well as the development of groundbreaking technological solutions by KIOS researchers, contribute to the digital and green transformation of the transportation networks. Concluding, Prof. Panayiotou said that the Center seeks research and innovation collaborations with operators of critical infrastructure systems with the aim to improve their operations and make their systems smarter, more efficient, greener, and more resilient to meet current challenges.
Following the signing ceremony, guests visited the laboratories of the KIOS CoE and FOSS Research Center where they had the opportunity to talk with young researchers about the research and innovation activities undertaken at the two centers.
