Archive

Christiana Papoutsa from Cyprus University of Technology gave a presentation of the ‘EXCELSIOR’ project during the MID TERM meeting of the ‘SEO–DWARF’ project, funded by the Marie Sklodowska-Curie Research and Innovation Staff Exchange (MSCA–RISE). During her presentation she mentioned what is the vision of the upcoming Centre of Excellence ‘EXCELSIOR’ and she pointed out how relative activities of the ‘EXCELSIOR’ can benefit the progress of the ‘SEO-DWARF’ Project. Further, during the meeting both Christiana Papoutsa and Milto Miltiadou from CUT had the opportunity to discuss with the partners coming both from the industrial and academic sectors for future collaborations with the ‘EXCELSIOR’ Centre of Excellence.

A strong and experienced research team, of 4 academic and 5 industrial partners, coming from Greece, Italy, Germany, France, Cyprus and Bulgaria constitute the project’s consortium.

Industrial partners: (1) TWT GmbH Science & Innovation; (2) Planetek Italia S.r.l.; (3) I-SEA SAS; (4) Planetek Hellas EPE; and (5) CloudSigma AG and
Academic partners: (1) Laboratory of Remote Sensing, National Technical University of Athens (NTUA); (2) Cyprus University of Technology (CUT); (3) Department of Marine studies, University of the Aegean; and (4) University of Bari “Aldo Moro”, Department of Computer Science.

Eratosthenes Research Centre and the Department of Civil Engineering and Geomatics of Cyprus University of Technology participated in the Researcher’s Night 2017 with our booth entitled ‘Exploring the past using state-of-the-art technologies’!!!

Our booth offered a unique experience and the opportunity to visitors to experience the cultural heritage of Cyprus and the wider Mediterranean region through state-of-the-art geo-spatial technologies. They had the opportunity to observe Cyprus from space, map the destruction of cultural heritage in the Middle East, survey ancient cultural monuments and study the impact of time on them. Our tools are satellite images, historical aerial photographs as well as available historical maps. Searching and exploring the past through these technologies can help to preserve and understand Our Past and develop Our Future.

We would like to thank all the visitors for visiting our booth and wish to see you all again next year!!!

Prof.  Diofantos G. Hadjimitsis, and PhD candidate Andreas Christophe during the EARSEL workshop presented a paper on the “EXcellence Research Centre for Earth Surveillance and Space-Based Monitoring of the Environment (EXCELSIOR) for the Eastern Mediterranean Region: the establishment of EO hub for data, products and services” and “Earth Observation for Forestry Applications in Cyprus”. During his presentation Prof. Hadjimitsis presented his vision about the Centre of Excellence by highlighting the following: ‘The new Centre to be the top-leading one in the Eastern-Med region! To host top scientists in earth observation! To be a sustainable centre through European and national funds! To provide product and services / Hub!‘Cyprus’ to be on the ‘European Map of Earth Observation’!’. He highlighted also that through the Widening Horizon 2020 call, the Eratosthenes Research Centre based on its existing experience of coordinating the ‘ATHENA’ Twinning project (www.athena2020.eu) has the capacity to move one step forward and be successful on the EXCELSIOR phase 2 project. During the EARSEL workshop the following poster papers have been also presented:

‘Earth Observation for Foresty Applications in Cyprus’ & ‘Exploring the Importance of Monitoring the Fire Risk Index in the vicinity of Cultural Heritage Sites in Cyprus using Sentinel Remote Sensing data’.

The EXCELSIOR team had interesting meetings with stakeholders from European and worldwide agencies, industry and the academia. Dr Vincent Ambrosia –NASA member of the Excelsior Advisory board and Prof. Rosa Lasaponara-CNR (partner in the ATHENA project) joined also the EARSEL workshop.

The EXCELSIOR team had interesting meetings with stakeholders from European and worldwide agencies, industry and the academia. The following institutions have agreed to collaborate with EXCELSIOR to achieve its goals:
1. Technical University of Crete, Greece
2. Mediterranean Agronomic Institute of Chania, Greece
3. EFTAS, Remote Sensing Transfer of Technology, Germany
4. South Dakota State University, USA
5. University of Montpellier, France
6. University of Balamand Lebanon
7. RUDN University, Russia
8. Italian National Research Council (CNR)

Christodoulos Mettas from Cyprus University of Technology gave a presentation on the 13^th of September 2017 in the framework of a dissemination event which took place in Paphos, in the Cyprus Civil Defence’s premises. His presentation focused on the objectives of the EXCELSIOR project and pointed out the how some of the priorities of the upcoming Centre of Excellence ‘EXCELSIOR’ can cover the needs of the Cyprus Civil Defence to handle Disaster Risks and develop early warning and alert systems to save lives and protect citizens, property and the environment in the case of natural and man-made disasters.

Dr Kyriacos Themistocleous presented the EXCELSIOR Project at the SPIE Remote Sensing Conference in Warsaw, Poland which is one of the worldwide leading remote sensing conferences on Monday, 11 September 2017 and on Tuesday, 12 September, 2017. During the presentation, he had the opportunity to present the project to the conference participants and address the potential impact of the EXCELSIOR project for remote sensing applications in Europe and the Eastern Meditteranean region. During the conference, a wide range of topics were presented which addressed the latest developments in earth observing systems, technologies and applications.

Dr Haris Kontoes, Research Director of NOA presented EXCELSIOR Teaming project at the 82nd Thessaloniki Fair during the GENERAL SECRETARIAT FOR RESEARCH & TECHNOLOGY – ‘Research and Innovation for Society’ Session on 9^th of September 2017.

Meet us at NOA stand to learn more about Excelsior from 9^th to 17^th of September 2017.

 

 

Launching of the H2020 Teaming project “EXCELSIOR”

Date: Friday 8 September 2017, 09:30-13:00 EET

Location: Cyprus University of Technology, Limassol, Cyprus.
Tassos Papadopoulos Building, Themidos and Iphigenias Str., Amphitheatre 1 (ground floor).

For more information please click below:

Invitation

Πρόσκληση

Περιγραφή Έργου

The ‘EXCELSIOR Project Phase I’ was launched during a two-day kickoff event which took place in the premises of the Cyprus University of Technology, in Limassol, during 7-8 September 2017. This Horizon 2020 project started officially, setting up the framework for a one-year close collaboration between the Cyprus University of Technology (CUT), acting as the coordinator, the German Aerospace Centre (DLR), the National Observatory of Athens (NOA), the German Leibniz Institute for Tropospheric Research (TROPOS) and the Ministry of Transport, Communications and Works (MTCW) of the Republic of Cyprus, through its Department of Electronic Communications (DEC).

The aim of the project is to upgrade the existing ERATOSTHENES Research Centre, established within the Cyprus University of Technology, into a Centre of Excellence for Earth Surveillance and Space-Based Monitoring of the Environment.

During the first day of the kickoff meeting, representatives from all the partners had the opportunity to organise and set the strategy for the effective progress of the EXCELSIOR project in a closed session. The second day of the meeting was an open event in which public authorities and institutions, private enterprises and the public were invited to participate. This event was under the auspices of the Honorable Minister of Transport, Communications and Works, Mr Marios Demetriades who has addressed the kickoff meeting. The event was also addessed by Prof. Andreas Anayiotos, Rector of the Cyprus University of Technology followed by Mr Nicos Nicolaides, the Mayor of Limassol.

The EXCELSIOR project is supported by more than 30 organizations from Cyprus and abroad. Several distinguished speakers from interested stakeholders have also addressed the event, including the Limassol Chamber of Commerce and Industry, the Cyprus Scientific and Technical Chamber, the Cyprus Association of Research and Innovation Enterprises, the Department of Meteorology, the Cyprus Civil Defence and the Department of Lands and Surveys. Also, representatives from private sector enterprises addressed the event, such as the Cyprus Research & Innovation Center Ltd, the Avanti Communications Group plc and GEOFEM Ltd. A talk dedicated to the ‘Spreading Excellence and Widening Participation under HORIZON 2020 work programm for Research and Innovation’ was given by Mrs. Constantina Makri, on behalf of the Cyprus Research Promotion Foundation. Finally, representatives from the five partners of the EXCELSIOR project consortium delivered brief presentations of their respective institutions; The launching of the EXCELSIOR project was carried out in the presence of the Ambassador of Germany in Cyprus.

To watch the video of the speech of the honourable Minister of Transport, Communications and Works, Mr Marios Demetriades, during the “Excelsior” Project’s kick-off event – 8th September 2017 please press here.

Prof. Diofantos Hadjimitsis, Vice Rector for Academic Affairs at the Cyprus University of Technology, presented the H2020 Teaming project “EXCELSIOR” at the Final Multiplier Event of INTRAPRISE project on 29th of August 2017. Participants of the event included high-level executives of local enterprises, consultants, academics, life-long learning trainers and post-graduate students. During the event, a wide range of topics related to Intrapreneurship were presented having as a common goal to increase employability, innovation, productivity, and performance in a period of serious economic challenges.

On the 18th of July 2017, Mr Marios Photiou (Space Segment Manager) and Eleftheria Hadjioannou visited ERATOSTHENES Research Centre at the Cyprus University of Technology and discussed various ways of collaboration between Avanti Hylas 2 Cyprus Ltd and CUT.

On behalf of CUT and the ERATOSTHENES Research Centre Prof Diofantos G. Hadjimitsis, Dr Christos Danezis, Dr Rodanthi Mammouri and Dr Argyro Nisantzi presented the activities of the group for the last 10 years as well the opportunities of the ‘EXCELSIOR’ Teaming project. Both sides agreed to collaborate in the area of broadband satellite communications and the relevant applications, as well as integration of various satellite technologies such as communications, navigations and earth observation.