The Cyprus Computer Society (CCS) this week released a statement celebrating a series of outstanding student achievements in April 2025, showcasing Cyprus’ growing presence on the global technology stage through both robotics and informatics competitions. 

From major victories in Crete to national recognition in Nicosia, students from public and private institutions demonstrated excellence, innovation and a strong digital skillset.

Most recently, CCS announced Cyprus’ strong presence at the Minoan RobotSports Competition (MRC) Global Olympiad 2025, held in Crete from 11 to 14 April, where over 50 countries participated. 

Student robotics teams representing both public and private schools and tutoring centres achieved exceptional results, significantly boosting Cyprus’ international reputation in educational robotics.

Leading the way were the teams trained by educator Yiannis Laouris of Y. Laouris Informatique in Paphos, who returned with a remarkable 21 podium placements — five first, ten second, and six third — across events such as Drones Soccer, Drone Flying, Shot Put and Water Polo. 

Public school teams also earned distinctions in the drones competition (ages 13–18), with Team Lighting (Dusty Force) from TESEK Ammochostou/Avgorou, guided by educators Evangelia Oikonomou and Andreas Kile, claiming first place, followed by RoboTesek of TESEK Paralimniou in second.

Other strong showings came from Robomac of TESEK Makarios III Nicosia in sixth place and Technopilots from the Regional Gymnasium of Akaki in seventh. 

In the 10–13 age group, Fortnite Duo from The G C School of Careers placed fifth. 

The archery event also saw notable Cypriot entries, including Cyber Arrow from Eurolab Kokkinotrimithia and Robot Legends from the Strovolos Municipality Open School.

Of particular note was the alliance between Cypriot and Greek students, leading to top placements in the Drones Soccer competition. 

Alliance 5 (Team Lightning, Metashifters Phoenix, Mindlab 12S) secured first place, while Alliance 4 (Dusty Force, Robotzeedes Elite, Laouris Seven) took second.

“The CCS warmly congratulates all the students who participated and extends heartfelt thanks to the Research and Innovation Foundation for its valuable financial support,” the society said. 

It also highlighted and celebrated the leadership of three female educators — Evangelia Oikonomou, Anna Parpa, and Andri Christofi — who guided their teams to success, noting that “you are opening doors for more women to engage in robotics competitions.”

Representing CCS in Crete were Dr Alexis Polykarpou, Associate Professor at Frederick University, and STEM educator and ECECT researcher Fotini Georgiou. Both are members of IET Cyprus and the Robotex MRC Cyprus scientific committee.

The next national event, Robotex MRC Cyprus, will take place at the University of Cyprus during the last weekend of June 2025. 

Registrations are now open, and participants will have the opportunity to qualify for upcoming international events, including Robotex International in Estonia and MRC Crete.

Earlier in April, on the 16th, CCS hosted the 2025 Informatics Student Competitions Awards Ceremony at the Siakoleio Educational Centre in Nicosia. 

The event honoured students who excelled in the Cyprus Olympiad in Informatics and the BEBRAS 2024–2025 Computational Thinking Competition. 

The event was attended by officials from the Ministry of Education, school representatives, teachers, parents and students from primary through upper secondary levels.

In a speech delivered on her behalf by Inspector of Secondary Education Socrates Mylonas, Minister of Education, Sports and Youth Dr Athina Michaelidou emphasised the importance of informatics in modern society and the need to cultivate digital skills from an early age. 

She also welcomed the increasing participation of girls in the competitions.

“The increased participation of girls in the competitions reflects our ongoing efforts to strengthen female representation in the technology sector,” said CCS President Andreas Loutsios.

Fifteen students from each class year, from Year 4 of primary to Year 3 of lower secondary, were awarded for their top performances in the BEBRAS competition.

Moreover, schools and teachers with high participation were also recognised. 

A highlight of the ceremony was the honouring of students who represented Cyprus in international Olympiads in 2024, earning seven medals and three honourable mentions — a historic performance for Cyprus. 

Among them was student Mariza Paspalli, who earned five distinctions in her debut at the European Girls’ Olympiad in Informatics.

These internationally recognised students may be admitted to departments of the University of Cyprus without entrance exams and often attract interest from top universities abroad. Their success was credited to the dedicated teachers who prepare and accompany them to international events. 

Weekly preparation classes for the Cyprus Olympiad in Informatics are offered free of charge across all districts by Ministry-appointed secondary school teachers.

The event concluded with a call for participation in CCS’s upcoming activities, including Robotex MRC and the Cyprus Cyber Security Challenge (CCSC). 

Full details on programmes covering digital skills, programming, robotics and technology can be found at www.ccs.org.cy.