CENTER OF INNOVATIVE SOLUTIONS FOR BUILDING SAFETY – ISTOS Center of Excellence

Project Information

ISTOS

Grant agreement ID: 952300

DOI

10.3030/952300

Project closed

EC signature date 8 July 2020

Start date 1 November 2020

End date 30 April 2024

Funded under

• Twinning of research institutions

Total cost

€ 901 875,00

EU contribution

€ 900 000,00

Coordinated by

FREDERICK RESEARCH CENTER
Cyprus

Periodic Reporting for period 2 - ISTOS (CENTER OF INNOVATIVE SOLUTIONS FOR BUILDING SAFETY – ISTOS Center of Excellence)

Reporting period: 2022-02-01 to 2024-04-30

Summary of the context and overall objectives of the project

The ISTOS project (center of Innovative SoluTiOns for building Safety) aims to develop, in Cyprus, a center concentrating on the structural safety of buildings and infrastructure, the disaster risk reduction and the post disaster management.

The goal of ISTOS is, by the end of the project, to significantly strengthen the scientific excellence and innovation capacity of the collaborative Frederick Research Center (FRC) and the Cyprus University of Technology (CUT) in the defined field of research (area of concentration defined above). The enhancement of the scientific and innovation capacity of the initiating center is vital for Cyprus and the Eastern Mediterranean region which is menaced by natural hazards (e.g. earthquakes).

The ISTOS project will achieve its goal by creating strong links between the FRC and CUT in Cyprus and two internationally leading research-intensive institutions namely the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki (AUTH) of Greece and the University of Naples Federico II (UNINA) of Italy. A series of activities have been planned which target not only the enhancement of the research and innovation capacity of the linked institutions but also raising their profile and visibility.

Objectives
1.Transform the collaborating research laboratories at FRC and CUT into a Center of Excellence (“ISTOS”);
2.Position the ISTOS center to act as a “regional collaboration and access point” for Cyprus and the neighboring countries (Eastern Mediterranean, Balkan, Middle East, North Africa), addressing common problems arising from the similar characteristics of this region;
3.Align the objectives of ISTOS center with the Smart Specialization Strategy for Cyprus especially towards the priorities B4 (Structural Cultural Heritage), B5 (Management of Natural Hazards) and B6 (Upgrading of Existing Building Stock);
4.Increase the Scientific and Innovation capacity of the research laboratories at FRC and CUT in the field of structural safety of buildings and infrastructure, the disaster risk reduction and the post disaster management;
5.Increase the research output level of the involved research laboratories and enhance the profile of their staff through publications in scientific journals, conference attendance participation and networking in a European and International level;
6.Ensure the sustainability of ISTOS. Improve the success rate of FRC and CUT in competitive grant applications;
7.Provide intensive high-quality training to Early Stage Researchers (ESR) in the field of vulnerability risk assessment and impact assessment of natural hazards;
8.Develop multidisciplinary courses that will be incorporated in the academic curriculum of FRC and CUT and seminars to be presented to stakeholders and the public;
9.Create close ties between academic research and end users/stakeholders, including the Department of Civil Defence (responsible authority in Cyprus), the municipalities, professional organizations, etc., through the promotion of the center and through the dissemination of the ISTOS project.

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

1 Project management:
WP1 includes the work related to the management of the consortium for the implementation of the project (e.g. organization and steering of meetings, signing of the grand agreement, organization of the project committees), and the preparation of pertinent deliverables.

2 Framing the ISTOS Center of Excellence:
Related Objectives: 1, 3, 9
This WP aimed to collect and consolidate data for the research direction of the ISTOS project and actively engage the stakeholders. Two workshops (WS) were proposed and delivered. WS1 was delivered online with the participation of the stakeholders. WS2 was a follow up to WS1 which was used to define the Cyprus baseline..

3 Establishment of the ISTOS Center of Excellence, Research Project Management and Administration:
Related Objectives: 1, 2
The aim of this WP is to define the operational model of the ISTOS center. It includes a GAP analysis which has been completed and a number of other activities that are in progress.

4 Training of Early Stage Researchers (ESR):
Related Objectives: 5, 7
This WP includes the identification of research domains and topics that were prioritized by the partners and a series of activities (STSM) for the training of the ESRs.

5 Training and knowledge transfer activities:
Related Objectives: 4, 6, 7, 8
This WP aims to the development and execution of knowledge transfer activities and the preparation of training material (academic notes, presentations mainly in the form of ppt but also documents and literature papers). Specifically, it includes the preparation and delivery of Virtual Training (VT) courses, Summer Schools (SS) and Webinars.

6 ISTOS Sustainability – Networking and Center Promotion:
Related Objectives: 2, 9
The work in this WP includes the activities for networking and the promotion of ISTOS locally and internationally.

7 Dissemination and Exploitation:
Related Objectives: 2, 5
Various material has been prepared for the dissemination and outreach activities. These include the development of a website, the presence in social media, etc. Further, the members of the consortium have prepared draft manuscripts to be submitted in a journal and a conference. A final conference is proposed but this is due at the end of the project.

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 ISTOS CENTER will concentrate on research for natural hazards with a specific focus on topics linked to Disaster Risk Management (DRM), Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR) and Climate Change Adaptation (CCA) with specific attention to on the structural safety of buildings and infrastructure and the post disaster management.

The expected impacts from the implementation of the project are listed below:

1. Increased research excellence of the coordinating institution in the particular field of research as a result of the twinning exercise

2. Enhance the reputation, attractiveness and networking channels of the coordinating institution

3. Improve the capability to compete successfully for national, EU and internationally competitive research funding

4. Illustrate quantitatively and qualitatively the expected potential impact of the twinning exercise within the coordinating institution (and possibly at regional/national level) based on indicators like expected future publications in peer reviewed journals, collaboration agreements with businesses, intellectual property, new innovative products or services

5. The benefits for the internationally leading scientific institutions and the way they would materialize through the partnership should be substantiated

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