ENGINEER Project Final Event (Day 1)
The ENGINEER Final Event marked the successful conclusion of the project, hosted by the Cyprus University of Technology (CUT) at POED, Nicosia. The event gathered leading voices from across the cultural heritage and research sectors, with interventions from distinguished representatives of national and international institutions. Ms. Demetra Aristotelous, Archaeological Officer of the Department of Antiquities, offered welcome addresses both on behalf of the Department and the Deputy Ministry of Culture, highlighting the significance of cultural heritage preservation in Cyprus. Ms. Marsia Trillidou from IDEK emphasized the importance of strengthening research ecosystems through European partnerships, while Mr. Chrysanthos Pissarides, President of ICOMOS Cyprus, reinforced the role of heritage organizations in safeguarding monuments at risk.
The scientific program featured contributions from Dr. Athos Agapiou, Coordinator of the ENGINEER project, who presented the project’s vision and outcomes, alongside Prof. Dimitrios Skarlatos, Vice Dean of the Faculty of Engineering and Technology at CUT, and Dr. Nicholas Kyriakides, Assistant Professor at CUT, who shared innovative approaches in 3D recording, finite element modelling, and structural assessments of heritage monuments.
A key highlight of the day was the panel discussion moderated by Assoc. Prof. Branka Cuca of Politecnico di Milano, which brought together prominent experts: Prof. Dina D’Ayala (UCL, UNESCO Chair in Disaster Risk Reduction and Resilience Engineering), Prof. Dr. Nicola Masini (CNR, Deputy Director of ISPC), Dr. Marinos Ioannides (CUT, UNESCO Chair on Digital Heritage), and Dr. Athos Agapiou. The discussion focused on pressing themes such as climate change and hazards, digital heritage, and opportunities for future research collaborations.
In addition to the presentations and discussions, the event hosted the Connecting Project: Technical Equipment Demonstration, which offered participants a hands-on experience with advanced technologies used in heritage documentation and monitoring. The ENGINEER coordination team expressed sincere gratitude to the Connecting Project partners for providing the technical equipment that enriched the exhibition and enhanced the overall impact of the event.
The Final Event successfully convened more than 30 participants, creating a dynamic forum for dialogue, collaboration, and future planning in the field of cultural heritage innovation.
