|
A TEAM of distinguished academics is coming to Cyprus next week to
brainstorm over the establishment of a new research and educational
institute on the island.
Among the scholars are Nobel Laureates Paul Crutzen and Harold Varmus, as
well as Jeffrey Sachs of Harvard University - also a special adviser to the
UN Secretary-General - and former Undersecretary of the US Department of
Energy, Ernest Moritz.
The programme was announced at a news conference yesterday, organised by the
Cyprus Development Bank.
Bank Chairman Andreas Mouskos poured praise on the project, which he said
would bring so many eminent scholars together in Cyprus for the first time.
"Their willingness to come from all around the world to attend the
convocation despite their busy schedules, is a measure of the importance
they attach to the realisation of the project," Mouskos said.
The proposed Cyprus Institute aims to use science and technology "to
unearth the region's past and shape its future as an integral and vital part
of the community."
According to a news release, the Institute expects to be partnered with
other world-class institutions worldwide. It will be structured into
research centres, probably focused on energy, environment and water,
technology and archaeology as well as other fields of study.
It is estimated that the institute will require a capital investment of
several hundred million euros, with ongoing operational expenses in excess
of £60 million euros, expected to be provided by the European Union.
Professor of Physics Costas Papanicolas of the University of Athens, the
main co-ordinator of the project, said the cost would be covered by the EU
only if the institute was classed as a Centre of Excellence, and noted that
such an institute could not flourish without the support of the public.
|
]