On March 1st 2019, a delegation from the European Parliament’s Science and Technology Options Assessment (STOA) Panel visited the KIOS Research and Innovation Center of Excellence at the University of Cyprus.
The high level delegation comprised of the EU parliament members Dr. Paul Rubig and Mr. Neoklis Sykiotis, accompanied by the Rector of the University of Cyprus, Professor Tasos Christofides as well as the University’s Vice-Rectors, Professors Irene – Anna Diakidou and Ioannis Giapintzakis.
During the visit, the Director of the KIOS Center of Excellence, Professor Marios Polycarpou had an opportunity to present the overall mission, vision and the activities of the Center and briefed the delegation about its progress and development. Particular reference was also made on the close collaborations between the KIOS CoE and organizations as well as authorities that are responsible for the management of critical infrastructure systems, through the KIOS Innovation Hub. These collaborations, Professor Polycarpou added, contribute to the creation of a research and innovation ecosystem that spans the entire innovation cycle from conception of an idea to its commercialization.
Following the meeting, the delegation also visited the KIOS’ laboratories, where researchers presented the key research activities of the Center related to power systems, water distribution networks, intelligent transportation systems and emergency response management systems.
Dr. Lenos Hadjidemetriou and Mrs Elena Polycarpou presented the new technology currently being developed at KIOS CoE that can facilitate high penetration of renewables into the electricity distribution network. Dr. Demetris Eliades explained how fault diagnosis in water distribution networks is performed and the innovative methods that KIOS develops to minimize water loss. Dr. Christos Kyrkou and Dr. Maria Terzi referred to the new technologies exploited at KIOS for emergency management and response systems, while finally, Dr. Yiolanda Englezou and Mr. Charalambos Menelaou presented the research currently undertaken at KIOS regarding the intelligent transportation networks.
Both members of the European Parliament expressed their gratitude for the opportunity to visit the KIOS Center of Excellence and be informed about its research achievements. They found their interaction with researchers extremely informative and congratulated the researchers on their important research activities.
