Source: cyprus-mail
Cyprus University of Technology (Tepak) is awaiting formal approval from the department of town planning for the concession of plots in the Berengaria area, as plans move forward for the creation of a research and innovation centre.
The project, implemented in cooperation with the Cyprus Association of Research and Innovation Enterprises (CARIE) and based on a memorandum already signed between the two sides, is aimed at bringing companies, researchers, students and specialised university infrastructure into the same space.
Speaking to Entrepreneurial Limassol, a periodical published by the Limassol Chamber of Commerce (Evel), Tepak rector Professor Panayiotis Zaphiris said the university considers the concession of the plots to be effectively agreed, although official approval has not yet been received.
He explained that the land belongs to the Ministry of Education and that the process mainly concerns a change of use, allowing the area to be used by the university instead of for school facilities.
According to Zaphiris, the goal is to create a centre where companies can work directly with the university, while also giving students and start-ups access to an environment similar to those seen in technology parks abroad.
He said “there was also a letter from the Municipality of Polemidia”, stating that “it does not wish to use the site for schools, as originally planned.”
At the same time, CARIE president Tasos Kounoudes has sent a letter to the relevant ministries, with a positive response already received from the Interior Minister, Zaphiris said.
However, he added that the department of town planning and housing has asked to first submit its position on the plots before the project can proceed further.
The rector also recalled that Tepak has agreed with the Scientific and Technical Chamber of Cyprus (Etek) to launch architectural competitions for the spatial planning of both the Berengaria area and the university’s second pole at the old Limassol hospital.
The planning for Berengaria already includes space for the proposed innovation and research centre, while the wider masterplan will set out the guidelines for the development of the area.
Zaphiris said a meeting of the advisory committee is expected soon, with the participation of Tepak, CARIE and former Deputy Minister of Research, Innovation and Digital Policy Kyriacos Kokkinos, among others, to determine the next steps.
He described the current state of the process as “neither particularly positive, nor negative”.
Referring to practices followed abroad, he said university delegations had visited technology parks in Germany and China, which operate within universities.
“They are part of universities and combine the presence of large, established companies with the support of start-ups and students,” he said, adding that this model is close to Tepak’s own objectives.
Zaphiris also said the centre would allow the university to gather specialised equipment in one place.
At present, he explained, this equipment is spread across several buildings, making it difficult for third parties to use it.
By contrast, the new centre would allow companies to access such equipment for a fee, strengthening cooperation with the university while also supporting the commercial use of research.
Meanwhile, the Energy Ministry said the offer submitted for the scientific technology park in pentakomo remains under evaluation.
The offer was submitted by a consortium of Cypriot and foreign companies from Saudi Arabia, Jordan and the United Arab Emirates, as part of the tender process to find a strategic investor for the project.
In a response to Entrepreneurial Limassol, the ministry said it had announced on February 2, that substantial progress had been made, following the completion of the tender submission process on January 28.
The ministry said the offer came from a consortium active in education, technology and construction, confirming the project’s international investment appeal.
After previous unsuccessful efforts, the government revised the incentive framework, taking into account market feedback and public consultation, in a bid to create more attractive conditions for the project’s implementation.
According to the ministry, the strategic goal remains the creation of a high value-added project that will strengthen Cyprus’ innovation ecosystem, create quality jobs and improve the competitiveness of the economy.