Relationships with regional NGOs and government for SDG policy

CUT plays a crucial role in shaping national policies aligned with SDGs through close collaboration with government departments, municipalities, and other non-governmental organisations. These partnerships address key areas such as health, technology, sustainability, entrepreneurship, and cultural initiatives. The active participation of CUT academics on advisory panels and government committees highlights their significant contribution in offering data-driven insights and expert recommendations that influence public policies and foster sustainable regional development. By tackling social and environmental challenges with innovative solutions, research forecasts, and impact assessments, CUT enhances evidence-based policy-making and supports adaptive strategies for sustainable progress.

In the healthcare sector, CUT is actively represented in several National Strategy Committees, Scientific Advisory Committees and working groups that address national public health priorities. For instance,

  • National Committee for the promotion of Breastfeeding and Advisory sub-committee/ Working Group for the Certification of Baby-friendly Hospitals.
  • National Stakeholder Advisory Committee for the development of National Strategy for the promotion of normal birth (reduction of Caesarean sections) and prevention of prematurity.

These initiatives regarding maternal and neonatal health directly influence national policy on critical issues where Cyprus faces significant challenges, such as low breastfeeding rates and high rates of Caesarean sections compared to other European countries.

In addition, the policy advisory role of CUT academics regarding patient satisfaction, the General Healthcare System and the National Strategy for Mental Health is significant in shaping effective healthcare policies, improving service delivery, and addressing mental health challenges at a national level. For example:

  • Scientific Advisory Committee for the development of the Patient Satisfaction/Patient-reported Experience within the new General Healthcare System (GeSY).
  • National Committee for developing the first National Strategy for Mental Health in Cyprus, and many more.

Further, examples of collaboration for promoting SDG Policy at national and regional level, include:

  • Secretariat Committee (National) for the contextualisation of NICE guidelines to the Cyprus healthcare setting and services by the Health Insurance Organisation and all stakeholders (Scientific bodies/ associations, patient associations, Ministry of Health).
  • The School of Health Sciences, Dept of Nursing is leading the initiative of the Cyprus Ministry of Health to redesign School Health Services in the Post-Pandemic Era. Following a participatory action research methodology,  a series of workshops and focus groups involving all stakeholders was organised, aiming at co-developing the strategy for re-designing the School Health Services, in collaboration with the Department of Medical Services and Public Health Services of the Ministry of Health.
  • CUT academics founded in partnership with academic colleagues from all Universities across the island the first Cyprus Epidemiology and Public Health Association (CyEPHA), which despite its very short life has been very active, participating in 2023 for the second time in the European Public Health Week, as national representative of the European Public Health Association (EUPHA).
  • Development of a Model Health Centre (discussion in progress) a partnership between the School of Health Sciences, CUT and the State Health Services Organization to replace the old Limassol Hospital and incorporate existing and develop new healthcare clinics within the School of Health Sciences’ campus.
  • Collaboration with the Municipality of Limassol and common participation in the European Mission: 100 Climate-Neutral and Smart Cities.
  • Collaboration of the UNESCO Chair for Digital Cultural Heritage, established at the Department of Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering and Informatics at the Cyprus University of Technology (CUT), with the Cyprus Unesco National Committee for promoting policy and training (see the efikardu case here) in the field of digitisation, preservation and promotion of the cultural heritage of Humanity.