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Michael Yianneskis, Chairman of the Interna-
tional Jury, at the awarding of the Nemitsas
Foundation Prize in Engineering
“The International Jury studied applications from
candidates carrying out exceptional scientific
work and who are accomplished in various sectors
of Engineering.
I would like to underline that during the course of
its work, the Jury determined that there are many
scientists of Cypriot origin around the world.
To evaluate the candidates’ applications, the Jury
sought out the advice of world renowned scientists
in each candidate’s field of expertise. They were
asked to evaluate the scientific work and accom-
plishments of each candidate. Scientific person-
alities from the wide field of Engineering Science
gave their detailed and thorough opinions on the
candidates’ achievements based on international-
ly-accepted scientific criteria.
Following a comprehensive process and based
on the evaluations received, the International Jury
suggested the awarding of Professor Kyriacos
Athanasiou to the Foundation’s Board of Directors.
Professor Athanasiou’s contribution has been
wide, deep, and extremely important. It connects
basic research with clinical applications through
the creation, development and application of engi-
neering technology.
Professor Athanasiou has been internationally
recognised for his work and contribution to the
field of bioengineering, which is related to using
mechanical science to explore and develop tech-
nologies that can be applied to the medical field.
Professor’s Athanasiou’s research work has con-
tributed to the development of products and tech-
nologies which are now widely used on patients
and which contribute both to the saving of lives
and to improving the quality of life of many pa-
tients around the world.”
Michael Yianneskis is also Emeritus Professor at
the University College London, University of Lon-
don, and Emeritus Professor of Fluid Mechanics at
King’s College London, University of London.
How the Nemitsas Prize winner is selected
“The Nemitsas Prize has been established as, and
will remain, our country’s award and will be pre-
sented by the President of the Republic of Cyprus
at the Presidential Palace every year to symbolise
the important honour and distinction towards the
scientists or artists chosen to be awarded,”Mr Takis
Nemitsas explained on the night of the ceremony.
Mr Nemitsas went on to describe the process that is
followedwhen choosing the candidates for the prize.
“Selecting the area of specialisation comes after
the Coordinating Committee research and subse-
quent proposal to the Foundation’s Board of Di-
rectors. Once the choice has been approved, it is
announced to the Academic Council, the head of
which is based in London, and which is made up
of distinguished academics fromaround the world.
The Academic Council chooses, from amongst its
ownmembers or from international personalities in
the selected field, five judges to make up the Jury.
The Jury members choose their own chairman and
prepare to study the applications they will be sent.
The Coordinating Committee prepares the appli-
cation forms andAndy Bargilly creates the poster.
These are placed on the Foundation’s website,
on the websites of many universities around the
world, and on the websites of Cyprus embassies.
The Foundation President, along with the Secre-
tary and Coordinating Committee, methodically
begin to announce and promote the sector chosen
for the award.
The Foundation’s management in Limassol, in co-
operation with coordinator Professor Marios Mav-
ronicolas, Vice Rector of the University of Cyprus,
Mr Takis Nemitsas