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send off thousands of e-mails to universities and
other scientific centres all over the world. Select-
ing appropriate centres is a methodical and labori-
ous task. The experience we have already amassed
has started to make this huge undertaking easier.
To achieve more effective results, we use the ex-
cellent services offered to us by the Republic’s
Foreign Ministry. The Ministry’s Permanent Sec-
retary instructs every ambassador to pass on the
message to all the universities and scientific cen-
tres in the country they are posted in. Similar an-
nouncement assistance is provided by the Press
and Information Office.
What follows is the receiving of the applications
from prize candidates. Once these are checked
and filed in the Foundation’s archive, they are sent
electronically to the chairman of the Jury where
their study and evaluation begins.”
Mr Nemitsas concluded: “As a result of three years
of persistent and methodical work, the Nemitsas
Prize has become established and is recognised
as the most significant Cypriot award honouring
Cypriot scientists and artists with a presence on the
international scene.”
Excerpt from the address by the Minister of
Justice and Public Order, Mr Loucas Louca,
on behalf of the President of the Republic of
Cyprus, Mr Demetris Christofias
“Professor KyriacosAthanasiou is an excellent ex-
ample of a distinguished Cypriot scientist who has
made a contribution to science.
Kyriacos’research has had important results and has
led to medical achievements and technologies that
are widely used today on patients around the world.
They have, in this way, saved human lives as well as
improved the quality of life of many patients.
The personal history and curriculum vitae of the
man we, as a state, are honouring tonight, has been
extensively referred to by other speakers tonight. I
would like to focus on the human side of the scientist
we are honouring today. We have amassed the best
impressions of Kyriacos Athanasiou – the man –
through testimonies frompeoplewe knowwho have
travelled to the United States for medical reasons.
On his own initiative and with no personal gain, he
has on many occasions helped our fellow people
who have travelled to Huston for medical reasons.
To me, this is the most reliable letter of credence
on the morals and integrity of the man. His selfless
offerings to his fellow man are the most important
achievement.
This is why the scientific work of people like Kyri-
acos must first and foremost become a social com-
modity; particularly when it comes to medical sci-
ence, a science that is so human-centred and with
such a significant contribution to society.
For the society to progress, we must recognise
that what we produce is social wealth. We must
actively help obliterate social inequalities on all
levels. This is even more important during times
of crises in economy and society such as the one
we are experiencing now. We ask our scientists to
recognise their role as crucial members of the so-
ciety that educated them and which provided them
with ideals and incentives during their first steps.
As a country, we should work closely with people
and scientists like Professor Kyriacos Athanasiou.
We must provide them with all the support they
need to bring their expertise and authority back to
Cyprus, so that the field of research and science can
really bloom; sectors that can define the future of our
country, creating specialised technologies in many
different areas. Cyprus does not have heavy indus-
try. What gives the country a real advantage are its
well-trained and highly educated scientists in many
different spheres, particularly in the service sector.”
Minister of Justice and Public Order, Mr Loucas Louca