Statements by the General Secretary of the C.C. of AKEL S. Stefanou after his visit to the Cyprus Institute of Research, Technology and Innovation

 

9 March 2022, AKEL C.C. Press Office, Nicosia

I would like to thank the President of the Cyprus Institute, Mr. Papanicola, and his colleagues for the very interesting and detailed briefing we have received.

It is no coincidence that we chose to visit the Cyprus Institute of Research, Technology and Innovation in these pessimistic times, both internationally, but also bearing in mind the many existing deadlocks. It is very important to convey optimistic messages to society because the work being done here at the Cyprus Institute really fills us with optimism and pride because in very sensitive and very important areas for the country’s prospects, namely research, innovation and education, the Cyprus Institute is indeed doing an excellent job.

The numbers and successes and the recognition that the Cyprus Institute enjoys internationally prove this. The Institute is something that we need to support and need to support further. We have seen some models and numbers that show that the Institute is managing to get quite a lot of support through the competitive programmes in Europe, but at the same time it needs more support from the state.

We have conveyed AKEL’s position to those responsible for this work, namely that AKEL is always by their side as it supports research, innovation and education which, as I have said previously, gives the country a perspective.

Research and innovation give depth, sustainability and stability to society and the economy. Investment in research and innovation should characterise the new economic model that we need to develop in Cyprus. A country cannot go far by simply investing in “get rich quick” policies or in circumstantial conditions and situations. The country needs greater stability, a vision and a perspective. We can find them in research and innovation. Furthermore, this is the way we can make use of the brains that exist in Cyprus in terms of know-how and knowledge; it is also the way we can keep these brains in Cyprus so that we do not experience the “brain drain” phenomenon, by losing scientists and experts from our country. That’s how we offer a perspective to young people and scientists.

We congratulate the Institute for the excellent work being done, as we said in the meeting we had inside, but say it publicly too. We are by your side to support the excellent work being done by the Institute.