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Cyprus’ Chief Scientist Earns Global GovTech Recognition On LinkedIn

by THEFUTURE.TEAM

July 6, 2026

Cyprus’ Chief Scientist, Demetris Skourides, has been ranked among the world’s leading LinkedIn creators in GovTech and the public sector, a recognition he says reflects Cyprus’ growing presence in global conversations on research, innovation and digital transformation.

A Ranking That Points Beyond Personal Reach

According to a post on his LinkedIn account, Skourides ranked 25th globally among the Top 200 LinkedIn creators in GovTech and the public sector. He also placed first in Cyprus in the category and seventh overall on LinkedIn in the country.

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The ranking, which included a Favikon score of 87.3, measures professional influence and visibility on the platform.

Cyprus As The Larger Story

Skourides described the recognition as part of a broader effort to raise Cyprus’ international profile rather than a personal achievement.

“Cyprus is small. Its ambition is not,” he wrote, adding that the recognition belongs to everyone helping position the country as a hub for research, innovation and digital transformation.

His comments reflect Cyprus’ broader strategy to strengthen its reputation as a regional centre for technology, entrepreneurship and digital government.

A National Strategy Built Around Innovation

Appointed Chief Scientist for Research, Innovation and Technology in September 2023 by President Nikos Christodoulides, Skourides is responsible for supporting policies that strengthen research, innovation, technological development and entrepreneurship. He also chairs the board of the Research and Innovation Foundation (RIF).

The government’s Research and Innovation Strategy 2024–2026 places innovation at the centre of economic competitiveness and public-sector modernisation.

Recent indicators suggest progress. According to the Research and Innovation Foundation, Cyprus climbed to 34th place in the StartupBlink Global Startup Ecosystem Index 2026, rising six positions year on year. The country’s startup ecosystem grew by 62.7% and was valued at $4.2 billion, while Limassol entered the global top 200 startup cities ranking for the first time, placing 191st.

Progress Remains Uneven

Despite those gains, challenges remain. The European Commission’s 2026 Digital Decade Country Report found that AI adoption among Cypriot businesses is still relatively low, although it noted that initiatives such as the National AI Strategy and the Pharos-CY AI Factory Antenna could accelerate adoption.

Communication As A Leadership Tool

Skourides argued that visibility is increasingly tied to credibility, partnerships and investment, particularly in fields such as artificial intelligence and GovTech.

“Technology is not the destination,” he wrote. “People are.”

He added that innovation only creates value when it improves people’s lives and that digital transformation succeeds only when citizens experience tangible benefits. In his view, communication has become an essential part of public leadership because people are more willing to embrace change when they understand it.

A Wider Cyprus Story

Skourides dedicated the recognition to Cyprus’ wider innovation ecosystem, thanking researchers, entrepreneurs, educators, public servants, businesses and policymakers for helping strengthen the country’s international profile.

“The future will not wait,” he said. “Neither,” Skourides added, “should Cyprus.”

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University Of Nicosia Ranked In The Global Top 600 In THE Sustainability Impact Ratings 2026

by News Editor

July 6, 2026

UNIC placed in the 401-600 band worldwide, strengthened its position among universities in Cyprus and Greece, and recorded standout results in SDG 10, SDG 11 and SDG 17

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The University of Nicosia (UNIC) has earned another important international distinction in the Times Higher Education (THE) Sustainability Impact Ratings 2026, ranking in the 401-600 band globally among 1,646 universities from 116 countries and territories evaluated across 17 individual SDG tables and one overall ranking.

This result places UNIC in the global Top 600 and reinforces the University’s standing as one of the region’s most internationally engaged higher education institutions. Based on the published results, UNIC is one of the universities from Cyprus and Greece to secure a place within this band, underlining both its regional strength and its growing international visibility.

UNIC’s strongest performances in this year’s results were recorded in SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities, SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities, and SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals, where it ranked in the 101-200 band globally. It also achieved a 301-400 result in SDG 3: Good Health and Wellbeing and SDG 16: Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions.

Particularly significant was UNIC’s strong result in SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals, an indicator that carries special weight in the overall methodology of the THE Sustainability Impact Ratings. This performance highlights the University’s growing capacity to build meaningful academic, research, and societal partnerships that create measurable impact at both local and international level.

Commenting on the result, the Rector of the University of Nicosia, Professor Philippos Pouyioutas, said:

“This is a highly significant result for the University of Nicosia and one that we are proud to share. Our placement in the global Top 600 of the THE Sustainability Impact Ratings 2026 reflects the University’s sustained commitment to meaningful impact through education, research, outreach, and collaboration. Our particularly strong performance in Reduced Inequalities, Sustainable Cities and Communities, and Partnerships for the Goals demonstrates the values that define UNIC as a modern, outward-looking university, committed to contributing in practical ways to society and to the global sustainability agenda.”

Among the universities from Cyprus, UNIC is one of the universities included in the global Top 600, while across Cyprus and Greece it stands among the universities recognised for strong performance in this year’s sustainability-focused results. This positioning adds further weight to UNIC’s profile as a university that combines academic quality with social contribution and international engagement.

For the University of Nicosia, this latest recognition marks another important step in its continuing international development, highlighting the strength of its academic environment, the breadth of its partnerships, and the increasing impact of its contribution to sustainable progress.