Research boosted between French and Cyprus institutes 

The Cyprus Institute and the French Institute have renewed their collaboration on issues of common interest, related to education and research.

The Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signing ceremony took place at the Cyprus Institute’s premises in Athalassa on May 14.

Signing the MoU on behalf of the French embassy, was the French ambassador Salina Grenet-Catalano, and on behalf of the Cyprus Institute, its president, professor George Christophides.

Speaking at the ceremony, Christophides said there is a special relationship between the  Cyprus Institute (CyI) and the French community and institutions.

“There is solid ground in order to further enhance the collaboration in many areas of common interest and joint activities in the near future”, he said.

In her address, Grenet-Catalano stated that the cooperation between the Cyprus Institute and French researchers and experts has been long lasting and very successful.

“The French Cypriot School in particular, not only shares premises with the Cyprus Institute, but also shares common thoughts and plans on how to tackle climate change by promoting climate solutions,” she said.

With the MoU, the two institutes have agreed to pursue collaborative activities that serve and support the scientific cooperation between Cyprus and France. This collaboration aims to facilitate cultural exchange by promoting and disseminating the French culture and language in Cyprus, and to facilitate student mobility by bringing French interns and students to the institute.

CyI scientists will be taking part as speakers in conferences organised by the French Institute, and conversely high-level French visitors will be participating in CyI events.

CyI will also contribute to scientific exhibitions organised by the French Institute, and the MoU is expected to further strengthen the cooperation on the Confluences network. Established in 2019, Confluences is a partnership of the francophone archaeological, heritage and historical educational and research institutes from the Eastern Mediterranean.