KIOS Research and Innovation Centre of Excellence

Project Information

KIOS CoE

Grant agreement ID: 739551

DOI

10.3030/739551

Project closed

EC signature date 13 February 2017

Start date 1 March 2017

End date 28 February 2025

Funded under

• Teaming of excellent research institutions and low performing RDI regions

Total cost

€ 15 000 000,00

EU contribution

€ 15 000 000,00

Coordinated by

UNIVERSITY OF CYPRUS
Cyprus

Periodic Reporting for period 5 - KIOS CoE (KIOS Research and Innovation Centre of Excellence)

Reporting period: 2022-06-01 to 2025-02-28

Summary of the context and overall objectives of the project

The KIOS Center of Excellence, after an extremely competitive process, was selected to receive funding from the European Commission, the Government of Cyprus, and the University of Cyprus to advance into a European Center of Excellence and Innovation. To achieve this, KIOS established a strategic partnership with Imperial College London, one of the world’s leading Universities, tasked with sharing its best-practices and expertise.
The Upgrade to a European Research and Innovation Center of Excellence:
The KIOS Research and Innovation Center of Excellence (KIOS CoE) was the KIOS CoE officially launched in 2017. In the following years, KIOS CoE experienced a significant growth, achieving inter alia the development of a critical mass of top-quality researchers who undertake pioneering and groundbreaking research projects, the creation of the KIOS Innovation Hub, aiming to provide research and innovation services to organizations involved in the operation of critical infrastructures, and the development of large-scale physical and virtual research infrastructures to test technologies under realistic operating conditions. The KIOS CoE team has evolved into a diverse, multidisciplinary team of highly qualified personnel from Cyprus, EU, the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region, and beyond.

Today, KIOS CoE is the leading Center of Excellence in Cyprus and a key player in the region on ICT, carrying out top-level research and innovation in critical infrastructure systems. This research activity is strongly in line with the UN Sustainable Goals, the EU strategies and policies on green and digital transition, the National Recovery & Resilience Plans, as well as with the implementation of the Critical Entities Resilience Directives. The Center employs young, talented researchers specializing in a wide range of fundamental areas, such as Artificial Intelligence, Machine Learning, Computational Intelligence, Internet of Things, Cybersecurity, Robotics, Networks, etc., and is involved in several research and innovation projects funded by various European and national funding agencies, as well as in projects funded by the industry. Furthermore, the collaborates with many organizations in Cyprus and abroad to transform new knowledge into tangible results, to make critical infrastructure smarter, greener, more efficient, and secure, for the benefit of society at large.

Work performed from the beginning of the project to the end of the period covered by the report and main results achieved so far

The KIOS Center of Excellence was established in 2008 as a research unit at the University of Cyprus and was upgraded to a European Research Centre of Excellence in 2017 through the EU’s strategic Horizon 2020 programme “Spreading Excellence and Widening Participation - Teaming”. The project is a teaming effort between the University of Cyprus and Imperial College London as the advanced partner. The KIOS Center of Excellence (KIOS CoE) was selected to receive funding from the European Commission, the Government of Cyprus, and the University of Cyprus to advance into a European Center of Excellence and Innovation. To achieve this advancement, KIOS established a strategic partnership with Imperial College London, one of the world’s leading Universities, tasked with sharing its best-practices and expertise.

The Upgrade to a European Research and Innovation Center of Excellence (2017-2023):
The KIOS Research and Innovation Center of Excellence (KIOS CoE) was officially launched in 2017. In the following years, KIOS CoE experienced a significant growth, achieving inter alia:
- the development of a critical mass of well - trained top-quality researchers who undertake pioneering and groundbreaking research projects;
- Recruitment and development of a critical mass of highly qualified and well-trained researchers;
-the creation of the KIOS Innovation Hub aiming to provide research and innovation services to organizations involved in the operation of critical infrastructures;
- and the development of large-scale physical and virtual research infrastructures to test technologies under realistic operating conditions.

Specifically, the project has resulted in the establishment of KIOS as a vibrant and internationally recognized research and innovation center that brings together a multidisciplinary team working on cutting¬ edge research topics in the area of ICT. This in turn, has contributed to advancement of the research and innovation performance of Cyprus by engaging other organizations and industry in research and innovation activities, through the KIOS Innovation Hub.

The project also enabled the enhancement of the capabilities of the Centre to attract competitive funding and to attract talented researchers from all over the world through training, industrial networks (KIOS Innovation Hub), and cutting edge facilities provided by the KIOS CoE Testbeds.
By the end of the project , the KIOS team has evolved into a diverse, multidisciplinary team of highly qualified personnel from Cyprus, EU, the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region, and beyond.

Impact on Society and Beyond:
As a result of the TREAMING project, KIOS research has yielded innovative solutions that have the potential to transform societies and economies and improve the lives of citizens worldwide. These solutions can improve the integration of renewable energy sources in smart grids and buildings; can reduce energy consumption, water losses, and greenhouse gas emissions; can successfully manage traffic congestion within large scale urban areas; can help first responders to manage emergency operations efficiently and effectively; and can support health authorities in making data-driven evidence-based decisions for public health matters. These advancements are crucial for achieving a greener and more sustainable future.
In terms of economic impact, the Center has created employment opportunities to over 450 professionals over the years, in various areas of expertise and professional experience. Moreover, research and innovation activities contributed to the promotion of the knowledge based economy in Cyprus through the design of new products and services. Finally, KIOS CoE has played a key role in raising Cyprus’ scientific profile and promoting it as a vibrant hub for research and innovation nationally and internationally.

Progress beyond the state of the art and expected potential impact (including the socio-economic impact and the wider societal implications of the project so far)

The activity KIOS CoE project contribute significantly to research and innovation in Cyprus with the following expected impacts: A. Increase the Scientific Capabilities of Cyprus through education and training programs, the KIOS CIS testbeds, the Open Knowledge pillar as well as though networking and links to innovations clusters. B. Increase the competitive funding received from International fora again through training, networking and the KIOS Innovation Hub, and the KIOS CoE testbeds. C.Significantly improve the research and innovation culture of Cyprus by engaging other Cyprus-based organizations in research and innovation activities, networking and the KIOS Innovation Hub activities as well as the Open Knowledge pillar.

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