The TechIsland Summit 2024 took place during the Reflect Festival, engaging state representatives, industry experts and other stakeholders. With insightful discussions and actionable ideas shared, the Summit set a clear path for enhancing Cyprus’s competitive edge in the tech landscape.
Highlights:
> During her opening speech, President of the House of Representatives Annita Demetriou pointed out that working together to accelerate Cyprus' tech advancement is the only way forward for the country and its residents to prosper.
> We heard from members of the Parliament discussing updates on Cyprus' application for Schengen and the EU Blue Directive implementation. It was revealed that the government has sent the Blue Card bill to Parliament, indicating a strong commitment to improving mobility and accessibility for third-country nationals in Cyprus.
> The Minister of Education, Dr. Athena Michaelidou, highlighted that the government is prioritizing education and moving ahead with reforms, recognising that this is a key factor for bringing highlyt skilled professionals to Cyprus.
> In an exploration of Cyprus' potential as an AI hub, panelists emphasized the need for strategic collaborations and a unified structure to ensure Cyprus' competitive position in the global AI landscape.
> The Deputy Minister of Research, Innovation and Digital Policy, Michael Damianou affirmed that the digital transformation of schools and government services is a priority, along with building a transparent legal system and quick legal processes to foster a conducive business environment.
> A potential collaboration between the tech sector and education is necessary, with initiatives like STEM programs, internships, and closer partnerships to prepare students for careers in technology and ensure a seamless integration of education and industry needs. The example of JetBrains was presented as a case study for such collaboration.
Overall, the TechIsland Summit demonstrated the dynamic interplay between the tech sector, the country, and other stakeholders, reaffirming their collective commitment to enabling the tech ecosystem to grow and driving Cyprus forward as a leading tech hub.
*The recordings of the TechIsland Summit panels and speeches are currently available on TechIsland's YouTube channel. Click here to watch.
A big shout-out to the Reflect Festival and TechIsland Board Members Stylianos Lambrou and Dusan Duffek, who have provided a stage for the TechIsland Summit for the fourth year in a row and for their incredible support to making this possible.
Special thanks to Capacitor Partners, who powered our Mentors’ Hub—a TechIsland Summit side event dedicated to startups. And of course thank you to all the Mentors who shared their wisdom with participating startups.
And finally, to our incredible partners:
Production Partner: TheSoul Publishing
Tech Partner: Prestigio Solutions
Merch Partner: SWAG42
Digital Media Partners: FastForward, Club Corr, Cyprus Business News, Dias Media Group, and Sigma TV
Beverage Partner: KEAN GROUP
Watch the highlights video below.
