Since its launch in November 2017, the project RISE has evolved from concept to maturity, establishing the CYENS Centre of Excellence as a landmark for research, innovation, and societal engagement in Cyprus and the wider region. The initial period was devoted to institutional creation: incorporation as an independent legal entity, formation of governance structures, and the recruitment of the first Multidisciplinary Research Groups (MRGs). Talent pipelines were established through the Doctoral Training Programme (DTP) and internships, signaling a long-term commitment to capacity building. In subsequent years, CYENS became fully operational, activating its Research, Innovation, and Operations departments. The Thinker Maker Space was launched as a hub for innovation and prototyping, complemented by collaborative projects with advanced partners and local stakeholders. The flagship initiatives, such as the iNicosia digital twin, demonstrated the capacity to link scientific expertise with urban challenges. The Centre’s visibility grew through public engagement with schools, workshops, and participation in national and European funding schemes.
The COVID-19 pandemic tested the Centre’s resilience but also accelerated its role as a societal actor. CYENS relocated to the STOA building (Hub of Innovation and Entrepreneurship), co-locating research and innovation teams and expanding the Thinker Maker Space. Online engagement substituted physical outreach, with webinars, summer schools, and technology camps reaching wide audiences. The Advisory Board was established and carried out an external review, while the artists-in-residence programme highlighted the Centre’s unique positioning at the intersection of arts and technology. International recognition grew through scientific output—over 150 publications in high-impact venues—and successful Horizon Europe participation. Education and Innovation programmesand cultural-technology collaborations showcased CYENS’s role as both scientific and social bridge-builder. Strategic restructurings ensured governance agility and better alignment of research and innovation activities, while preparations for the permanent Agora premises linked CYENS to the urban regeneration of Nicosia.
The final phase of the project marks CYENS’s full maturity. The relocation to the award-winning Agora building created a permanent civic-facing hub for research, co-creation, and entrepreneurship. CYENS became the headquarters of the European Digital Innovation Hub (DiGiNN) and the EIT Community Hub for Cyprus, embedding itself firmly within European innovation networks. Research excellence continued with 163 publications (91 journal papers, 68 conference papers, 4 book chapters) and hosting of major conferences such as CAIP 2023, and Eurographics 2024. Consolidation of MRGs allowed for greater interdisciplinary focus in strategic areas such as Health, Environment, Arts & Culture, and Education. CYENS also gained accreditation as a nationally accredited Training Centre, delivering programmes in AI, XR, Data Visualisation, and Digital Heritage, further enhancing its exploitation capacity.
Dissemination and exploitation have been multi-faceted: open-access publications and repositories; innovation exploitation through spin-offs,; skills exploitation via certified training and doctoral programmes; ecosystem exploitation through the Tech-Hub and Thinker Maker Space; and societal dissemination through flagship public events (WIP Festival, Reflect Festival, Cyprus Forum), bicommunal youth activities, and science diplomacy initiatives. CYENS’s outputs also informed national and municipal actions, particularly in digital health, smart cities, and cultural heritage digitisation.
In conclusion, over CYENS has transformed from a newly incorporated entity into a European Centre of Excellence. It has delivered on its objectives of scientific excellence, innovation capacity, societal relevance, and sustainability, leaving a legacy of long-term impact for Cyprus and the European Research Area.
