A particularly important development for the technological ecosystem of Cyprus is marked by the signing of a Memorandum of Cooperation between the Research and Innovation Foundation (IRD) and Tenstorrent. Tenstorrent is a leading semiconductor company that develops high-performance processors for artificial intelligence applications. Its technologies combine innovative computing hardware and open architecture software to develop intelligent systems.
The signing took place on Friday, October 17 at the Presidential Palace, by Mr. Jim Keller, CEO of Tenstorrent, and the Chief Scientist and President of IdEK, Mr. Dimitris Skouridis, in the presence of the Deputy Minister to the President, Mrs. Irini Piki, and the Deputy Minister of Research, Innovation and Digital Policy, Mr. Nikodimos Damianos. The memorandum of cooperation marks another milestone in Cyprus' path towards establishing itself as a regional center for research and technology.
Targeted science and technology diplomacy
This collaboration is the result of the President of the Republic's contacts with Silicon Valley companies last April, as well as the targeted exercise of scientific and technological diplomacy under the guidance of the Chief Scientist and President of IDEK.
The Cyprus University of Technology (TEPAK) is actively participating in this new strategic partnership. On behalf of the university, the Dean of the School of Engineering and Technology, Dr. Michalis Sirivianos and Dr. Andreas Diavastos from the Department of Electrical Engineering, Informatics and Computer Engineering, who already collaborate with Tenstorrent in joint research and educational actions.
New courses with Tenstorrent technologies
As part of this collaboration, TEPAK and Tenstorrent jointly develop new teaching materials in fields such as computer architecture and machine learning, with the aim of enhancing the skills of students and researchers in the rapidly evolving fields of artificial intelligence and autonomous systems. As mentioned by Dr. Michalis Sirivianos, "At TEPAK we have already started a substantial collaboration with Tenstorrent, upgrading our educational content and our research infrastructure. Special thanks to the company for making the TT Quiet Box available, which allows us to test and develop new computing architectures.”
High-tech industry in Cyprus
This initiative is expected to be a foundation for the creation of a new high-tech industry in Cyprus, further promoting the connection between research and production. It is the first time that such a large-scale high-performance processor development company is coming to Cyprus, which will have a multiplier effect on the Cypriot value chain. Particular emphasis is placed on the city of Limassol, where a developed ecosystem of information technologies and unmanned systems operates with strong application prospects in the fields of shipping, defense, health, energy and space.
The support of the State
The Faculty of Engineering and Technology of the Cyprus University of Technology expresses its warmest thanks to the President of the Republic of Cyprus, Mr. Nikos Christodoulidis, for the strategic support and trust he shows in the university and research community of the place. Special thanks are also addressed to the Deputy Minister to the President, Mrs. Irini Piki, the Deputy Minister of Research, Innovation and Digital Policy, Mr. Nikodimos Damianou and the Chief Scientist, Mr. Dimitris Skouridis, for their continuous and important contribution to the strengthening of research, innovation and technological development of the country.
SOURCE: EVEL-BUSINESS LIMESOS
