Capturing Cyprus Through The Lens: An Executive Review Of Visual Storytelling

by THEFUTURE.TEAM

December 12, 2025

The photo contest “Memories Made in Cyprus” brought the island’s unique heritage to life during the annual tourism conference hosted by STEK. Held on 27 November 2025, the event showcased a collection of evocative images that powerfully narrated the cultural and natural allure of Cyprus, with distinguished guests including the Deputy Minister of Tourism, Mr. Kostas Koumis, and leading figures from the tourism industry.

Awarded Photographic Excellence

The top honor was awarded to Maria Maragkou for her piece, “Ekklisaki tis Panagias tis Thalassinis”, which captures the serene and heartfelt spirit of Paphos. The second prize was jointly claimed by Stelios Michailidis for his poetic portrayal in “I Siopis tou Iliovasilematos” and Rafae̱llos Markitanis for his technically refined landscape in “Fragma Prodromou”. The third prize went to Andriani Georgiou for “Chryso Fthinopocho”, an image that elegantly encapsulates the splendor of the Cypriot countryside during autumn.

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Recognized Outstanding Works

In addition to the main prizes, seven other images received accolades for their artistic innovation and narrative depth. These featured subjects ranged from medieval stone bridges and rugged mountain trails to handcrafted art and the wintry vistas of Troodos. Notable recognitions include:

Ilias Labrou – “To Mesaiotiko Petríno Gefyri tis Miliás”
Savas Maroullétis – “Istioforo Plio, Plaisio̱menos apo Parathyro”
Andriani Georgiou – “Chionismeno Troodos”
Pavlos Pavlou – “To Gefyri tou Jelefontou”
Kostas Efthivoulou – “Laneia”
Maria Maragkou – “Hand Made”
Marios Andreou – “Fading Light, Fading Thoughts”

Rigorous Judging Process

The selection process was overseen by a highly qualified panel including Savvas Perdios, Theodosia Antoniou, Dr. Alexis Saveriadis, Andreas Konstantinou, Socrates Sokráto̱s, Silvio Rousmiko, and Chrysaimili Psilogéni. Their evaluation criteria emphasized a sophisticated blend of aesthetic appeal, technical excellence, and narrative power.

Cyprus: A Tapestry of Captured Memories

STEK expressed its gratitude to all participants, underscoring that the contest celebrates the authentic, heartfelt nature of Cyprus through vivid imagery. The event transformed Cyprus into a visual journey where nature, history, and everyday moments intersect to create enduring memories. This fusion of art and cultural storytelling stands as a testament to the island’s profound appeal in the global tourism landscape.

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Cyprus Ranks Among EU Leaders In Tertiary-Educated ICT Workforce

by THEFUTURE.TEAM

May 25, 2026

High Educational Attainment Sets Cyprus Apart

Recent data from Eurostat showed that Cyprus is expected to rank among the leading European countries for tertiary-educated ICT professionals in 2025. According to the figures, 96.4% of ICT professionals in Cyprus are projected to hold tertiary education qualifications, placing the country among the highest-ranked members of the European Union.

Gender Disparity Remains A Critical Challenge

Despite the high level of educational attainment, the ICT workforce in Cyprus continues to show a significant gender imbalance. Men are projected to account for 85.1% of ICT employees in 2025, while women are expected to represent 14.9% of the sector. In 2024, the split stood at 70.9% for men and 29.1% for women. The figures highlighted a widening gender gap within the country’s ICT workforce.

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European Union Trends And Comparative Analysis

Across the European Union, the number of ICT professionals is projected to increase to 3.4 million in 2025 from 3.2 million in 2024, representing annual growth of 5.1%. Men are expected to account for 83.4% of ICT employment across the bloc, equivalent to approximately 2.8 million workers, while women are projected to represent 16.6%.

National Performance Variability In Gender Representation

Countries within the EU show a varied landscape: the highest percentages of male ICT professionals are reported in the Czech Republic (92.9%), Slovenia (89.1%), Latvia (89.0%), Lithuania (88.9%), and Slovakia (88.4%). On the contrary, nations such as Denmark (30.0%), Sweden (29.8%), Romania (28.6%), Bulgaria (25.6%), and Croatia (25.2%) lead in female participation in the ICT arena.

Educational Background Across The European ICT Sector

Eurostat data also showed that most ICT professionals across the EU hold tertiary education qualifications. By 2025, 74.8% of ICT workers in the bloc are projected to have university-level education, while 25.2% are expected to hold secondary or post-secondary qualifications. Denmark recorded the highest share of tertiary-educated ICT professionals at 97.7%, followed by France at 96.6% and Cyprus at 96.4%. Other countries with high levels of tertiary-educated ICT workers included Ireland at 92.3%, Bulgaria at 91.1%, and Croatia at 90.9%. At the lower end of the ranking, Italy recorded 69.2%, while Portugal stood at 58.8%.

Conclusion

The data perfectly encapsulates the dual narrative in the ICT sector: while countries like Cyprus and Denmark achieve remarkable educational standards among ICT workers, persistent gender disparities remind us that diversity remains an ongoing challenge. As the ICT landscape continues to evolve, strategic policy formation and corporate governance will be pivotal in balancing excellence with inclusivity.

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