CUT signs MoU with Canadian Commercial Corporation for earth observation & space cooperation

The ERATOSTHENES Centre of Excellence at the Cyprus University of Technology (CUT) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Canadian Commercial Corporation (CCC), for Earth Observation and Space Cooperation, in the presence of Deputy Minister of Research, Innovation and Digital Policy, Dr Nicodemos Damianou.

According to a press release by CUT, this agreement establishes a framework for exploring commercial cooperation in Earth Observation and space technologies. “It aims to leverage CCC’s role as Canada’s official government-to-government contracting agency tasked with facilitating access to advanced Canadian mapping systems, analytics tools, solutions, and technical expertise”, it adds.

It also notes that the collaboration supports the ERATOSTHENES Centre of Excellence “in its mission to serve as the leading regional hub for Earth Observation data and analytics across the Eastern Mediterranean, Middle East, and North Africa (EMMENA) region”.

This collaboration, it said, “reflects a shared commitment of Cyprus and Canada to advance global capabilities in earth observation, environmental monitoring, and space innovation through international partnerships that support sustainable development”.

The MoU was signed on behalf of the CCC, by High Commissioner of Canada to Cyprus, Anna-Karine Asselin, and by Professor Diofantos Hadjimitsis on behalf of the ERATOSTHENES Centre of Excellence, in the presence of Dr. Nicodemos Damianou, Deputy Minister of Research, Innovation and Digital Policy of the Republic of Cyprus.

Damianou said, according to the press release that the MoU “reflects a shared vision for innovation-driven collaboration between Cyprus and Canada”. “By fostering collaboration in high-tech fields such as Earth Observation and geospatial intelligence, we are laying the groundwork for a long-term partnership that leverages our respective strengths in science, technology, and trade, and brings tangible benefits to both our societies”, he added.

Ambassador Anna-Karine Asselin noted that the agreement “reflects the strength and depth of Canada-Cyprus relations, particularly in the fields of innovation and sustainable development”, adding that this builds “on our sustained relations over the last years, where seeking economic opportunities is coupled with other major areas of cooperation such as in emergency management”.

Professor Hadjimitsis noted that through this strategic partnership with the Canadian Commercial Corporation, the ERATOSTHENES Centre of Excellence reinforces its vision to position Cyprus on the map of innovation and excellence in the space arena, delivering advanced technologies and solutions that address critical societal and environmental challenges at both regional and global scale.