The completion of ten years of the Project Management Conference was an opportunity to highlight the progress and evolution of the project management community in Cyprus in the public and private sectors.
In his greeting, the President of the Board of Directors of the PMI Cyprus Chapter, Evangelos Coutrouzas, welcomed the participants to the 10th Project Management Conference presented by the PMI Cyprus Chapter, referring to the importance of the anniversary event for the Association and the professional sector.
Evangelos Coutrouzas set as a top priority the strengthening of cooperation with the private and public sectors, underlining the need to more widely adopt international project management standards and standardised procedures in public administration. In this context, he pointed out that PMI is actively working at the local level for the official institutional recognition of the project management profession and PMI certifications, through contacts with government bodies, professional organisations and educational institutions.
He specifically referred to the importance of the PMP certification as a global benchmark of professional competence, as well as the specialised PMI CP certification for the increased demands of the construction industry. At the same time, linking the challenges of the modern business environment with the role of executives in achieving organisational goals, he emphasised that although technology is transforming the way projects are designed and implemented, “technology alone does not guarantee success, but the ability of people to understand and effectively utilise these tools,” highlighting the value of continuous learning, adaptation and connection with universities to inspire the new generation.
He then presented the journey of the PMI Cyprus Chapter since 2015, when a small group of pioneers conceived the idea of establishing a local chapter, making a touching tribute to the late Kostas Tziapouras for his pivotal contribution. As he noted, within a decade the Association has recorded steady growth, increasing its membership from approximately 55 in the first year of operation to more than 350 today, reflecting the growing recognition of the sector in IT, financial services, construction, energy and public sector.
Additionally, he highlighted the chapter's significant international distinctions, recalling its award as PMI Chapter of the Year in 2020, winning the AIM High Award earlier this year in Lisbon for excellence and meaningful impact on the community, as well as international recognition for the successful implementation of the new membership model, as one of the first chapters worldwide to adopt it.
In closing, he thanked the boards of directors, volunteers, sponsors and participants for the record attendance at this year's anniversary event, emphasising that the first ten years laid a solid foundation for even greater achievements in the next decade.
