Cyprus Hosts Prestigious Junior Balkan Olympiad 2025, Showcasing Future Programming Leaders

by THEFUTURE.TEAM

October 31, 2025

The Cyprus Computer Society (CCS), in tandem with the Ministry of Education, orchestrated an exceptional event this week by hosting the Junior Balkan Olympiad in Informatics (jBOI) 2025 at the Tassos Mitsopoulos Lyceum in Aradippou. The competition, held on Wednesday, united delegations from nine Balkan nations to celebrate emerging talent and foster competitive programming skills among secondary school students.

Uniting Talent Across the Balkans

The jBOI, an annual programming challenge, brings together outstanding young minds aged 10 to 15 from across the region. Participants are tasked with deciphering complex algorithmic problems in accordance with the International Olympiad in Informatics (IOI) standards. The event underscores the importance of cultivating critical digital skills, with Deputy Minister of Research, Innovation and Digital Policy Nicodemos Damianou emphasizing that his own journey into programming began in his youth. His remarks resonated with the audience, highlighting the long-term benefits of rigorous academic and technical training.

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Ceremonial Honors and Cultural Exchange

The closing ceremony, conducted at Larnaca Municipality’s Multipurpose Centre for Social Welfare and Employment, featured accolades from notable dignitaries including Deputy Mayor Iasonas Iasonidis and Inspector of Informatics for Secondary Education Michalis Farazis. The President of CCS, Andreas Loutsios, extended his gratitude to all contributors, celebrating a week marked by inspiration, competitive spirit, and vibrant cultural exchanges. A musical performance by students from the Mikis Theodorakis Music School of Larnaca added a creative flair to the proceedings.

Exemplary Performances and National Achievements

The event’s competitive facet culminated in an awards ceremony honoring the region’s finest. Cyprus’ delegation, admirably led by Secondary School teachers Akis Sykpetritis and Demetris Livadiotis, garnered significant success, with pupil Mariza Paspalli securing a Gold medal and Alexis Tsangaris along with Petros Vourmas earning Bronze medals. This victory extends Cyprus’ impressive record to eight medals and one honorary distinction across the five international Informatics Olympiads of 2025.

Beyond The Competition

Participants also experienced Cyprus’ rich cultural heritage, touring the historical center of Larnaca, visiting Lefkara, and engaging in interactive activities organized by JetBrains. This blend of rigorous academic competition and cultural immersion not only celebrates technical expertise but also enriches the perspective of these future innovators.

An Ongoing Tradition Of Excellence

The seamless organization of the jBOI 2025, overseen by the Organising and Scientific Committees alongside the dedicated members of the Cyprus Computer Society and educators from the Ministry of Education, Sport and Youth, reinforces Cyprus’ long-standing reputation for delivering exceptional international events. As anticipation builds for the forthcoming Pancyprian Informatics Olympiad, the jBOI 2025 stands as a testament to the nation’s commitment to nurturing the next generation of technological leaders.

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Bank of Cyprus Upgrade Signals Fresh Optimism For Greek And Cypriot Banks

by THEFUTURE.TEAM

June 26, 2026

Regional Banks Enter A More Favorable Cycle

Bank of Cyprus and Eurobank are well positioned to benefit from a renewed re-rating of Greek and Cypriot bank stocks, according to Cyprus-based investment firm Roemer Capital, which upgraded Bank of Cyprus to a buy rating and reaffirmed its positive view on Eurobank.

The firm cited easing geopolitical tensions, resilient economic growth in Greece and Cyprus, lower funding costs and Greece’s expected transition to developed-market status as the main factors supporting the sector.

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Roemer Capital also lowered its cost of equity assumptions, updated its forecasts following first-quarter 2026 results and extended its valuation horizon to the end of 2027, raising target prices across its banking coverage.

Bank Of Cyprus Gets The Largest Upgrade

Bank of Cyprus received the biggest revision, with Roemer Capital upgrading the stock from hold to buy and setting a target price of €11.10, implying potential total upside of 27%.

The firm highlighted the bank’s strong capital generation, profitability and projected 100% dividend payout, describing it as the strongest capital-return story among the banks under coverage. Roemer Capital maintained its buy rating on Eurobank, assigning a target price of €4.90 and forecasting potential upside of 28%. The report said the bank is well placed to benefit from loan growth, improving operating performance and merger-and-acquisition synergies.

National Bank of Greece and Piraeus Bank also retained buy ratings, with expected returns ranging from 25% to 36%. Optima Bank was upgraded to buy, while Alpha Bank remained at hold on valuation grounds.

Why Growth Still Sets The Region Apart

According to Roemer Capital, Greek and Cypriot banks continue to benefit from stronger economic fundamentals than many western European peers. The report pointed to faster economic growth, healthier balance sheets, low levels of non-performing exposures, capital ratios approaching 20% and strong customer deposit bases.

Analysts expect performing loans across the sector to grow at a compound annual rate of 6% to 8% through 2028, supported by private investment, digitalisation, green manufacturing, supply-chain expansion and a gradual recovery in household lending.

The report also said the conclusion of lending under the EU Recovery and Resilience Facility is unlikely to materially affect credit growth, as banks have already shifted back towards traditional commercial lending. Roemer Capital expects Euribor to remain between 2.2% and 2.5%, a level it believes should support both lending activity and net interest margins.

Geopolitics, Valuation And Market Structure Support The Case

The report said improving geopolitical conditions have strengthened the investment outlook, noting that Brent crude prices have largely returned to pre-war levels while Greek government bond yields have stabilised at around 3.5%. Although geopolitical risks remain, Roemer Capital believes the likelihood of a major inflationary shock or significant pressure on bank profitability has eased.

Another important catalyst identified by the firm is Greece’s expected promotion to developed-market status by FTSE Russell, STOXX and MSCI over the coming months.

According to the report, the reclassification should improve liquidity and attract a broader base of international investors. Roemer Capital also said Euronext’s acquisition of the Athens Exchange is expected to strengthen market infrastructure and increase international visibility, particularly for Bank of Cyprus and Optima Bank.

The firm noted that Bank of Cyprus has already benefited from its Athens listing, with average daily trading value increasing from less than €400,000 before its September 2024 move to nearly €6 million afterwards.

Economic Momentum Remains A Core Tailwind

Roemer Capital said both Greece and Cyprus have moved beyond post-crisis recovery and are now supported by private-sector-led growth. For Cyprus, the report highlighted recent tax reform and efforts to simplify the legal and regulatory framework, while also noting that limited foreign banking competition continues to support domestic lenders.

Overall, Roemer Capital expects Greek and Cypriot banks to remain well-positioned for profitable loan growth over the coming years.

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