KPMG Science Shop was founded by KPMG in Cyprus with the support of the NGO SciCo Cyprus. The European Commission funds the initiative through the Scishops.eu project, under Horizon 2020.
In the ever-changing environment of rapid technological developments and ongoing digital transformation that we experience today, KPMG Science Shop aims to tackle today's emerging challenges. Within this environment knowledge is no longer anticipated as a factor of success but as a criterion for survival. Synergies amongst the research community and the society are of paramount importance for the acquisition and continuous enrichment of knowledge. Based on this recipe KPMG in Cyprus pursued to carry out this initiative, supported by the above-mentioned partners.
The KPMG Science Shop draws expertise from both the Firm's staff but also its large collaboration network. Its aim is to identify and tackle local social problems/challenges with the cooperation of both researchers from Cyprus and abroad, but also the society at large. In addition to the expansion of its collaboration network, the ultimate goal of KPMG Science Shop is to become a catalyst in creating meaningful synergies between the society and the research community. KPMG Science Shop was established and will operate through KPMG in Cyprus' premises.
In his welcome speech, Christos Vasiliou, Managing Director and Head of Advisory Services at KPMG in Cyprus, praised the launch of KPMG Science Shop, stressing the importance of this initiative being implemented by KPMG, as KPMG Science Shop is the first of its kind to be established and operating by a large private organisation offering professional services at european level. Among other things, he stated: “KPMG Science Shop aims at creating and transferring knowledge to society while enhancing our Firm's ongoing contribution to social development and progress. In this way, KPMG in Cyprus once again commits itself to the joined efforts for innovative approaches, social cohesion, entrepreneurship development and the strengthening of synergies between businesses and the research community.”
Antonis Bargilly, Board Member, Head of Strategy, Customer & Operations Services at KPMG in Cyprus and Partner in Charge of the project, elaborated on the pillars of the project and stressed the importance of the results of the KPMG Science Shop, which form a practical example of collaboration between the society, the research community and the business world.
The presentation of Dr. Katerina Kauri, Director of the NGO SciCo Cyprus and academic at Cardiff University, focused on the strategic partnership between KPMG Science Shop and SciCo Cyprus but also with the European Study Groups with Industry (interactive workshops in which teams of researchers work intensively on social and business problems), thus highlighting the practical implementation of the project’s goals.
The press conference attended mainly academics, business executives, representatives of the research society, as well as numerous journalists who had the opportunity to raise questions to the KPMG professionals, to network and to exchange views in a friendly atmosphere.
