Collaboration with NGOs for SDGs
CUT collaborates with NGOs to support the United Nations SDGS through initiatives in student volunteering, research, and education. Students participate in environmental and social projects like a beach cleanup for SDG 14 and the FemPower Summer School promoting SDG 5. Research partnerships include the Co-OPERATOR Project, enhancing COVID-19 vaccination strategies (SDG 3), the Forest Therapy Hub, focusing on sustainability and mental well-being, and the CIRCULOOS Project, advancing sustainable production and circular manufacturing (SDG 12). The Althea Project supports mental health for cancer patients and caregivers (SDG 3). Additionally, CUT develops educational resources such as the EMPACT Curriculum and TDP4HE Program, contributing to SDG 4. These efforts demonstrate CUT’s dedication to sustainable development through collaboration and innovation. More information is provided below.
Student Volunteering Programmes
Beach Cleanup
SDG 14 – Conserve and sustainably use the oceans, seas and marine resources for sustainable development
On November 29, 2023, the School of Tourism, Hospitality, and Entrepreneurship, in collaboration with the NGO AKTI Project and Research Centre, the Department of Student Affairs at Cyprus University of Technology (CUT), and local organizations and municipalities, organized a beach cleanup initiative at Geroskipou Beach. The School officer, the Secretary of the Academy, the Physical Education Instructor, and students actively participated in cleaning a section of the beach early in the morning. During the event, they had the opportunity to engage with local media about the importance of this social contribution. The initiative aimed to protect the marine environment and raise awareness within the local community about maintaining clean coastlines.
Feel the fempower summer school
The FemPower Summer School took place from August 28th to September 1st, 2023, in Thessaloniki. It brought together educators and students from all partner countries as one of the core activities of the project. Throughout the event, students actively contributed with their knowledge, experiences, and skills, engaging fully in the learning process. Their involvement not only enriched the discussions but also fostered a collaborative environment, allowing them to develop a deeper understanding of gender equality and empowerment. The program provided a platform for students to volunteer their time and expertise, creating a meaningful impact on the project’s goals. For more information here.
SDG 5: Gender Equality – The FemPower Summer School focuses on empowering women and promoting gender equality, aiming to equip participants with the knowledge, skills, and experiences to further women’s rights and leadership roles in various sectors.
SDG 4: Quality Education – The event facilitated active participation from students and educators, fostering inclusive and equitable quality education and lifelong learning opportunities for all.
Research Programs
Co-OPERATOR Project
Collaborating with NGOs like the Active Citizenship Network and the European Forum for Primary Care, CUT is involved in research to enhance COVID-19 vaccination strategies and improve public health communication. More info here.
Forest Therapy Hub
CUT works with Forest Therapy Hub (UK) to integrate digital and green solutions into higher education, focusing on sustainability and mental well-being. This project engages over 2,000 students and staff through conferences and innovative events. More info here.
CIRCULOOS Project
Partnering with NGOs and international institutions, this project focuses on sustainable production and circular manufacturing, addressing waste reduction and resource efficiency. More info here.
Althea Project
In collaboration with organizations like the European Cancer Organization, CUT supports mental health for cancer patients and caregivers through an innovative digital platform. More info here.
More information about the research programs is provided here.
Development of Educational Resources
Cyprus University of Technology proudly presents the EMPACT Training Curriculum on Empathy and Sustainability Pathways for Arts edited by Dr. Efi Kyprianidou and Dr. Yiannis Christidis. The Curriculum explores the role of empathetic responses in motivating artists and cultural practitioners to explore ways to tackle the key pillars of sustainability. It is the result of a dialogue between artists, sustainability experts, philosophers, and social scientists, aiming to explore the importance of empathy as a key to aiding people to tackle and act upon climate change. It is the culmination of collaborative efforts between experts from the Cyprus University of Technology (CUT, Cyprus) and the National Academy for Theatre and Film Arts (NATFA, Bulgaria). Tailored for artists engaged in visual, fine, and performative arts, as well as professionals within creative industries, museum and cultural organization managers, curators, and art theorists, this curriculum serves as a comprehensive learning tool designed to empower and inspire individuals across diverse art-related disciplines. The curriculum is divided into three modules: «Empathy for Human and Non-human Beings», demonstrating how empathy as an abstract concept can be applied in the arts, «Creative Sustainability,» delving into both the theoretical underpinnings and practical manifestations of sustainability within artistic practices, and «Empathic and Resilient Artists,» equipping cultural practitioners with the tools and insights necessary to align their artistic endeavors with corporate art initiatives. More info here.
Kyprianidou, E., Ioannou D. Empathy for Nature: Exploring Interdisciplinary Collaborations in the Arts. Vol. I. Limassol: Cyprus University of Technology.
Kyprianidou, E., Ioannou D. Empathy for Nature: Reflections on Socially Engaged Arts. Vol. II. Limassol: Cyprus University of Technology.
The TDP4HE training programme is part of the ERASMUS+ TDP4HE project, which aims to empower academic teaching staff with both pedagogical and digital competences and to increase their capacity and readiness to manage a real shift towards digital education with their teaching practices (https://transformative-pedagogies.univ-tech.eu/). The training programme brought theoretical concepts to life through synchronous webinars and hands-on participation. The diverse online activites and materials were carefully selected and prepared by the TDP4HE team to equip participants with the necessary tools to enrich the teaching and learning journey in today’s Higher Education landscape. This training programme promoted SDG 4, Quality Education.
Transformative Digital Pedagogies for Higher Education (TDP4HE) training programme
The TDP4HE training programme is part of the ERASMUS+ TDP4HE project, which aims to empower academic teaching staff with both pedagogical and digital competences and to increase their capacity and readiness to manage a real shift towards digital education with their teaching practices (https://transformative-pedagogies.univ-tech.eu/ ). The training programme brought theoretical concepts to life through synchronous webinars and hands-on participation. The diverse online activites and materials were carefully selected and prepared by the TDP4HE team to equip participants with the necessary tools to enrich the teaching and learning journey in today’s Higher Education landscape. This training programme promoted SDG 4, Quality Education.
Balancing Bytes and Books: Navigating the AI Divide in Language Pedagogy
This webinar explores the intersection of technology and language pedagogy. In an era when artificial intelligence is reshaping every aspect of our lives, it’s crucial for educators to understand how to leverage these advancements effectively in language teaching. In this enlightening webinar, we’ll delve into the challenges and opportunities presented by the AI revolution in language pedagogy.
Dr. Vlassios Goulas from the Department of Agricultural Sciences, Biotechnology, and Food Science was actively involved in the establishment of the Natura Platform project (Project EXCELLENCE/0421/0205), which focuses on the discovery of novel antimicrobial and