UNIC Supports the Cyprus Defence & Security Conference 2021

The University’s Defence and Security Research Institute actively participates in the 10-year anniversary CYPSEC

The University of Nicosia (UNIC) is one of the main supporters of the upcoming 10-year anniversary edition of the Cyprus Defence & Security Conference (CYPSEC), which will take place on 4-5 October 2021 at the Hilton Hotel in Nicosia.

More specifically, UNIC will be represented by Professor Dimitris Drikakis, in his capacity as President of the University’s Defence & Security Research Institute, who will deliver a talk on Artificial Intelligence in Defence and Security. Artificial Intelligence is considered the game-changer in future defence applications, providing unprecedented precision and efficiency and reduced cost. However, AI poses many technical challenges, taken for granted by both experts and non-expert communities. Furthermore, it poses political and ethical challenges. In his CYPSEC talk, Professor Drikakis will present an overview of the state-of-the-art and the associated uncertainties and risks.

About CYPSEC 2011-2021

The aim of the conference is to present the capabilities and the existing solutions of the increasingly high technology in matters of defence and homeland security and to strengthen the effort of the Cypriot companies for networking and cooperation with international companies.

More broadly, Cyprus’ active participation in the European Common Security and Defence Policy demonstrates in practice its political will to engage in EU structures and programmes, with the ultimate goal of creating an umbrella of security and stability in the wider region of the Eastern Mediterranean.

Attendees

The conference will be attended by the Ministry of Defence, the Chief and senior officials of the National Guard, representatives of ministries and other interested Cypriot authorities, representatives of EU member states, international organisations, and the international defence industry.

Distinguished Speakers

The 10-year anniversary edition’s line-up includes a host of distinguished speakers, among which:

• Lt Gen Dimokritos Zervakis
  Chief of the Cypriot National Guard

• Kyriacos Kokkinos (tbc)
  Dep Minister to the President of Research
  Innovation & Digital Policy

• Panagiotis Kikiras
  Head of Unit Technology and Innovation
  European Defence Agency

• Tassos Rozolis
  President
  Hellenic Manufacturers of Defense Materials Association (SEKPY) & Managing Director
  AKMON SA

• Dimitris Drikakis
  Vice President Global Partnerships & Executive Director, Research & Innovation
  President, Defence & Security Research Institute
  University of Nicosia

• Joel Best
  Director
  Global Military Sales & Strategy, Bell Helicopter

• Maria Terzi
  CEO Malloc

• Jean-Marie Dumon
  Defence and Security Director
  The French Maritime Industry Association (GICAN)

• Colonel (Ret) Andreas Loizou
  Lecturer – Representative
  The Hellenic Institute for Strategic Studies (HEL.I.S.S.)

• Noam Shultz
  SHORAD Marketing & Business Development Director
  RAFAEL Advanced Defense Systems

The agenda will include, among others:

• Defence & Homeland Security expenditure and economic growth
• Standardization, quality and certification in the Defence Industry
• R&D role for Innovative and future-oriented defence solutions
• Artificial Intelligence in Defence Technology
• 3D-printing: the Additive Manufacturing Technology in the Defence Industry