The Chief Scientist for Research, Innovation and Technology, Dimitris Skouridis, held a series of meetings in Tokyo to strengthen cooperation in the fields of research and innovation .
According to a relevant press release, Mr. Skouridis visited Japan last week to strengthen cooperation in the fields of research and innovation.
“The week included a series of important actions and meetings of the Chief Scientist, highlighting the state's commitment to promoting international cooperation in research, innovation and technology”, it states.
On 9 April, it is reported, the Chief Scientist met with the Adviser for Science, Innovation, Digital Technology and European Policies at the EU Delegation to Japan, Peter Fatelnig.
In the context of the meeting, it is added, issues related to the innovation ecosystem of Cyprus and its alignment with EU strategies, the role of EU-funded Centers of Excellence and their contribution to applied research, and the intensification of actions towards faster commercialization and exploitation of innovative ideas, new technologies, etc. Particular emphasis, it is noted, was given to information on the focus areas of EU-Japan partnerships, such as energy, biotechnology and digital technology.
On April 10, Mr. Skouridis participated in the opening ceremony of the Sea Japan 2024 Trade Fair (Offshore & Port Tech), together with other government officials of the Republic of Cyprus, such as the Minister of Energy, Trade and Industry, Giorgos Papanastasiou, and the Ambassador of Cyprus in Japan, Yannis Michaelidis. Cyprus participated with an exhibition stand in which representatives of the Deputy Ministry of Shipping presented the advantages of Cypriot shipping and blue economy and the credibility of the Cypriot flag.
The Chief Scientist “referred to the emphasis placed on Maritime, under the Research and Innovation Strategy, to develop the research capabilities of the ecosystem”. In particular, he referred to the role played by one of the Centers of Excellence, Cyprus Marine & Maritime Institute (CMMI) in applied research but also in the importance the center gives to the development of green skills and products in shipping.
Subsequently, it added, “important meetings” were held with Japanese bodies, including the Deputy Director of the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology and the Director of the Office for Science and Technology policies, in which Mr. Skouridis, ” after consultation with the competent Deputy Minister of Research, Innovation and Digital Policy of Cyprus”, he presented the main axes of the Digital Policy of Cyprus, confirming the interest for cooperation in the fields of Research and Technology, with the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding.
The Chief Scientist also met with the President of the Japan Science Foundation (JST), Hashimoto Kazuhito. During the meeting, “the specificities of the two countries in the fields of basic and applied research were discussed”.
Mr Kazuhito is said to have shown a particular interest in cooperation in the areas of research through the European partnerships of the EU's Horizon Europe programme, in which Japan participates, he said. “Mr. Skouridis pointed out the importance given by the Deputy Ministry of Research, Innovation and Digital Policy of Cyprus, through actions and policies included in the Research and Innovation Strategy”, it is noted.
The actions, it is added, aim at strengthening relations and cooperation between research organizations and centers of excellence with industry, at the further commercial exploitation of results, as well as at the extroversion and internationalization of the Cypriot ecosystem, through the promotion of participation in European partnerships for Energy, the sustainable marine economy, rare diseases, etc. In the context of the discussions, the mutual benefits of initiatives such as the "Brain Circulation" project were highlighted. of Japan and the opportunities presented for Cyprus, it is added.
On April 11, Mr. Skouridis met with the EU Ambassador to Japan, Jean-Eric Paquet and informed him about the pillars of the new Cyprus Research and Innovation Strategy, which was approved by the Council of Ministers in December 2023. “The discussion focused on actions aimed at the internationalization and collaboration of research organizations and industry, with an emphasis on the commercialization of innovative companies but also the role that centers of excellence can play in the field”, it states.
“As a culmination of the week's activities,” the press release states, the Chief Scientist visited Japan's largest Innovation Center, Cambridge Innovation Center (CIC).
In context meeting with CIC Deputy Director Dr. Masaru Nagura, “the possibilities of cooperation between the startup ecosystems of Cyprus and Japan were explored,” it added. Discussions focused on sharing best practices, mentoring opportunities and identifying areas of mutual cooperation to jointly promote innovation and entrepreneurship between the two countries.
It is noted that the actions of the Chief Scientist are part of the implementation of the Strategic Research and Innovation 2024 – 2026 and the efforts to internationalize the Research and Innovation ecosystem of Cyprus, with the aim of promoting the cooperation of Cypriot entities in matters of innovation and sustainable development, both on a regional and global scale.
Source: KYPE
