Continuing and expanding their collaboration in research, education and health services in the fields of neurology and neurosciences, the Institute of Neurology & Cyprus Genetics (ING) and the Queen Square Institute of Neurology, of the British university University College London.
A delegation from the British Institute of Neurology consisting of its Director, Professor Mike Hanna and Professors Mary Reilly and Henry Houlden, visited the Institute of Neurology & of Cyprus Genetics and had a meeting with the General Executive Director & Medical Director of the ING, Professor Leonidas Phylaktos and the Department Directors of the ING, Prof. Kyproulas Christodoulou, Dr. Eleni Zamba Papanikolaou, Prof. Cleopas Cleopas, Prof. Mario Pantzaris, Prof. Giorgos Spyrou and Dr. Andreas Koupparis.
The formalization of the cooperation was sealed with the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding, in the presence of the High Commissioner of the United Kingdom in Cyprus, Mr. Irfan Siddiq. The memorandum was signed by Prof. Leonidas Phylaktos, on behalf of ING and Prof. Mike Hanna, on behalf of the Institute of Neurology (IoN). Among other things, and beyond institutionalizing the existing cooperation between the two Institutes, the memorandum provides for further cooperation in all three pillars, research, education and service provision. Mr. Siddiq said he was particularly happy to have had the opportunity to attend the signing of the memorandum, which is an excellent example of the productive ties that bring the two countries so close.
The Professors of the Institute of Neurology also had the opportunity to meet with the President and members of the Cyprus Myopaths Association and to discuss various issues concerning patients with neuromuscular diseases, and to examine, together with the ING Neurologists, complex patient cases, thus contributing to the exchange of information for better treatment and treatment of patients. The exchange of know-how is one of the main points of the agreement, which both sides expect.
The Professors gave scientific lectures to the public, the staff and the students of the ING, while they had the opportunity to be guided around the premises of the Institute.
Prof. Mike Hanna, referred to the high level of ING scientists, and stated that “there are many synergies between the two Institutes in all three pillars and in these three days we have discussed specific areas of cooperation. I am very happy about the signing of the memorandum. ING clearly has significant potential in the field of neurology and genetics research and is recognized internationally. I believe that the collaboration will benefit both Institutes and, by extension, both countries, because it provides the opportunity to exchange information, know-how and experiences, which will bring a significant benefit to the care of patients in each country”.
For his part, Prof. Phylaktos, after noting that the two Institutes have a lot in common in terms of their operation and activity, pointed out that this promotes and encourages the further strengthening of cooperation between them. “We could not be more satisfied that the collaboration of years was formalized with the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding and also with the personal meeting with our colleagues from the United Kingdom, where we had the opportunity to discuss closely and exchange views. We hope that this move will bring the two Institutes even closer and open channels of friendly communication and cooperation with our colleagues there” he concluded.
