PRESS RELEASE - UNIVERSITY OF CYPRUS

8 June 2026

KIOS Center of Excellence welcomes ten exceptional students for its 2026 summer Undergraduate Research Programme

For the 17th consecutive year, the KIOS Research and Innovation Center of Excellence at the University of Cyprus is successfully implementing the Undergraduate Research Opportunities Program (UROP). This summer, ten exceptional undergraduate students are joining the KIOS research community, gaining direct exposure to the work of its scientists and researchers.

UROP is one of the most dynamic programmes at the Center, bridging the academic world with research practice. Through their participation, students gain first-hand experience in conducting scientific research, develop skills that will shape their professional careers, and become part of a knowledge and innovation network with international reach.

The ten students selected this year, listed in alphabetical order, are: Achilleas Andreou, Rafail Asiikkis, Antonios Christoforides, Antreas Efthymiou, Yerasimos Ioannides, Kyriacos Nikou, Andreas Papandreou, Antria Papetta, Christos Papazacharias, and Eleftherios Samuel. Seven of them are enrolled at the University of Cyprus, while the remaining three come from distinguished institutions abroad: the National Technical University of Athens and the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki in Greece, and Imperial College London in the United Kingdom.

During the programme, students will work alongside academics and researchers at KIOS on topics in the field of Information and Communication Technology, with a focus on the monitoring, management, control, and security of large-scale critical infrastructure systems — including power systems, water supply networks, transportation and telecommunications infrastructure, healthcare systems, and emergency management mechanisms.

Developing the next generation of researchers is a strategic priority for the KIOS Research and Innovation Center of Excellence. The participation of talented young people in UROP contributes to building a strong culture of research and innovation, which is an essential prerequisite for the development of Cyprus as a knowledge hub with sustainable economic growth. This experience is not limited to a single summer — it is a foundation for life.

An example is Georgios Takoushis, a student at the National Technical University of Athens, who participated in the UROP programme last year seeking the opportunity to face real research challenges and understand how scientific research works in practice. As he stated: “Through this experience, I gained technical skills, strengthened my problem-solving abilities, and learned to work both independently and as part of a team. Participating in the Programme deepened my interest in research and made me feel more confident navigating research environments. I believe this experience will prove invaluable in both my academic and professional journey.”

End of announcement