Speaking at the award ceremony with the participation of winning students, teachers and school principals, the Deputy Director and Head of Unit for Cyprus Settlement Support Unit at the European Commission Mr. Kjartan Björnsson, emphasised the importance of the laboratory and equipment facilities provided to 48 primary and 46 secondary schools as well as the mobile laboratory as part of the EU Aid Program for the Turkish Cypriot community. Björnsson stated that progress has been made in effective use and management of the laboratories with updated lesson plans and inventory lists, laboratory logbooks as well as internet connection in laboratories. He also announced that the Commission is exploring possibilities for the provision of additional workshop equipment for vocational technical schools and support skill development kits for special education schools that may not have had the opportunity to benefit from laboratory equipment.

The laboratory and equipment facilities provided as part of the EU Aid Program for the Turkish Cypriot community will not only help youth get a better grasp of science through practical experiments and ensure that teachers and school management prioritise the use and maintenance of the labs but will also provide the spark to equip the Turkish Cypriot community with the scientists, engineers and innovators of the future, paving the way towards the reunification of the island.

Videos of the winning schools can be accessed through the EUIP social media accounts and https://youtu.be/mAzxPDPHd-g