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:
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.
