Cyprus` Deputy Minister of Research, Innovation and Digital Policy, Kyriakos Kokkinos, on Friday said that the state, through the collaboration between the Deputy Ministry and the Education Ministry, promotes the digital education ecosystem, adding that the effective use of digital technology is at the core of the state’s planning.

Speaking at an event organized by Alexander College in Larnaka, Kokkinos said that education and digital technology is the future and therefore we build on these, adding that the pandemic crisis highlighted the need to reconstruct the education system and promote distance learning. He said that trough specific policies and actions the state wants to combine traditional teaching techniques with distance education. Kokkinos referred to the upgrade of the schools` internet connection and the plans to upgrade the electronic equipment as well.

The Deputy Minister spoke of the need to create a new learning model with the use of advanced methods and modern digital tools, as well as the need to enhance teachers` digital capacity so that they can meet the needs of the new challenges ahead.

Kokkinos also said that in the framework of the National Plan for Recovery and Sustainability, a project of over 20 million euros has been included for this purpose, as well as for the promotion of lifelong learning, as a strategic tool for the development course of our country.

Director of Alexander College Andy Loppas , Larnaka Mayor Andreas Vyras, Dr Sam Vale Lecturer at Canterbury Christ Church University , Vasilis Vasiliadis curator of Larnaka Biennale and Costas Christodoulides Director of Alexander College Research Center also delivered speeches, highlighting the importance of digital technology, especially in the post pandemic era.