Memorandum of Understanding between the University of Nicosia (UNIC) and Stati Generali dell’Innovazione (SGI)

Building partnerships in the innovation and business sector in order to improve education, research and socio-economic development of our communities.

Professor Philippos Pouyioutas, Rector of the University of Nicosia (UNIC) and Professor Fulvio Ananasso, President of Stati Generali dell’Innovazione (SGI) signed on March 13th, 2023, a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for developing relations. The signing ceremony was attended by the Dean and Associate Dean of the School of Business Professors Angelika Kokkinaki and Marinos Themistokleous, the Head of the Department of Accounting, Economics and Finance Professor Petros Lois and the Associate Head of the Department of Management Dr Epaminondas Epaminonda.

SGI was founded in Italy, as an initiative of associations, movements, companies, and citizens convinced that the best opportunities for growth and socio-economic development of Countries are offered by innovation and the creativity of talented people, recognition based on merit, overcoming the digital divide, and improving Institutions through Open Government.

The MoU is intended to establish academic co-operation to promote the mutual interests of and to foster and develop the partnership between the parties in accordance with their individual mission and objectives, especially in respect of internationalization.

UNIC and SGI will cooperate for:

  • Empowering the professional community and the public by organizing seminars, webinars, workshops, or short intensive programs on areas of mutual interest.
  • Providing continuing support to learners and trainers through active design and development of innovative curricula.
  • Shaping the future by organizing entrepreneurship competitions, hackathons, … for groups with limited opportunities including NEETs, people in remote areas, elderly etc.
  • Developing and modernising learning modules to skill, upskill and reskill professionals in relation to disruptive technologies.
  • Launching joint proposals for research and development projects in areas of common interest characterised by international, European, or regional outlook of significant impact.

The Rector of the University of Nicosia, Professor Philippos Pouyioutas, after referring to the continuous successes and international distinctions of the University, noted «At the University of Nicosia we have as a compass the Square of Knowledge focusing on its four main pillars, namely teaching and learning, research, innovation and finally the link with society and the labour market. We are therefore building partnerships with serious partners in the innovation and business sector in order to continuously improve the quality of the education we offer».

Professor Fulvio Ananasso, President of Stati Generali dell’Innovazione, expressed his conviction  that «this agreement between the University of Nicosia and SGI will bring concrete results in terms of collaboration on projects and initiatives of common interest, with emphasis on new Education (VET) and learning approaches, e-skills development, advanced technology solutions for Smart Cities / Communities (IoT, 5G-6G, Geospatial, AI, XR, Digital Twins, Blockchain and Metaverse, …) and in general the Digital Transformation of our Society as a whole — health and healthcare, agrifood, predictive maintenance of critical infrastructures, etc.