Policy and Objectives
High-calibre scholarly research is one of the main pillars of development of the University of Cyprus and has been a central tenant in its mission statement since the University’s establishment in 1989. In recent years, the University has become internationally recognized as a leading research institution for its contribution to the advancement of science and culture. This recognition has brought the University substantial external research funding as well as a number of highly prestigious chairs of excellence.
The University’s research aims include the following:
Active participation in the Unified European Research Area through the promotion of basic and applied research programmes, covering a wide spectrum of scholarly and scientific fields so as to make a significant contribution.
The contribution, through research, to the upgrading of technology, strengthening of the knowledge society, improvement of the natural environment, public health, social organization and self-actualization of the individual.
The exploration of Cyprus’s European identity, the island’s traditions, and its cultural heritage, the current multicultural realities and their impact on the island.
Protection of academic freedom, unobstructed scholarly and scientific exploration and the diffusion of ideas.
Basic and Applied Research
The impact of scholarly research on society is complex and multidimensional. Some aspects are directly quantifiable, for example, the number of doctoral titles awarded in an academic year and in which disciplines, others, such as the impact of basic research, are very abstract. The need to couple basic with applied research is nowwidely recognized, as the knowledge acquired through basic research can -and should- be utilized for the solution of real life problems that concern society. In most areas the dividing line between basic and applied research is not clear, and this distinction becomes even more obvious as the problems under consideration become more complex and multidimensional.
Besides training researchers through doctoral programmes and conducting basic and applied research, universities are also highly concerned with the utilization of knowledge – a component that has become even more significant in the light of “Europe 2020” strategic goal of transforming Europe into the most dynamic knowledge-based economy. It is often stated that where Europe lags behind North America, Japan and other economic powers is the economic utilization of research results. For this reason, governments and other economic stakeholders are increasingly focusing more attention on the utilization of research results for economic gains. The effective utilization of knowledge is not the sole responsibility of universities, it requires a close, sincere and effective collaboration with other stakeholders, primarily from the economic and industrial world.
The University of Cyprus more than adequately covers the first two components of university research activity-those which are placed solely under its responsibility. At the same time, the University has started to branch out into the third component, the utilization of research results. This has been accomplished through an office that promotes cooperation between business /industry and the various universities in the Republic of Cyprus, approved and funded by the European Union Structural Fund, and through pursuing and obtaining its first patents.
