Takis Nemitsas’ speech at the award ceremony on 23 November 2010

Mr. President of the Republic

Your Beatitude

Honourable Ministers

Dear guests

We are honoured today, just a year from the creation of our Foundation, to present our first award to two leading Cypriot scientists in Medical Sciences, the area in which the BoD of the Foundation decided to grant awards for 2010.

The work carried out within this very short period of time was immense. The entire BoD worked methodically, with the assistance of a number of experts, such as distinguished professors from Cyprus and abroad, with the support of the Ministries of Foreign Affairs, Education and Health, the Press and Information Office and the Cypriot Media.

During this short period we managed to convey to every corner of the earth where there are Cypriots, the message of the establishment of the Nemitsas Foundation. The purpose and the aim of which are to award distinguished Cypriot scientists who create inventions and make discoveries that benefit mankind and bring honour our small country.

Our aim is to grant the first award on the occasion of the Republic of Cyprus’ 50th anniversary, to be presented by the President of the Republic who is honouring us today with his presence.

The foundation relied on the tireless and multiple contributions of Antonis Constantinides, the distinguished Cypriot professor at Imperial College, for its academic aspects and procedures, whom I also wish to particularly thank from this podium. Without his help, today’s award ceremony would not have been possible. I would also like to thank the Minister of Education and Culture, Mr. Andreas Demetriou, who was possibly the very first person in whom we entrusted our idea who encouraged us to proceed. He then introduced us to Professor Constantinides, who became the soul of the Foundation.

As for the persons selected to receive awards, we formed an independent group of leading and internationally-acclaimed academics to ensure the required high standards.

This group of Academics that comprise the International Prize Selection Committee of our Foundation in Medical Sciences, together with their associates, following long and deep deliberation, selected two leading Cypriot scientists, out of 30 applications, all reflecting high quality and remarkable achievements in Medicine, whom we honour today and who in their turn honour Cyprus with their accomplishments.

These are:

 

Professor Eleftherios Diamandis, holder of the Chair in Fundamental Biomedical Research, in Canada and Professor Kypros Nicolaides, holder of the Chair in Clinical Medical Research, in London

The 1st Award cycle is concluded today. The process has already commenced for the 2nd Award that will take place in November 2011 as has that for the 3rd Award in 2012, that will coincide with Cyprus’ Presidency of the European Union.

In order to achieve whatever has been accomplished so far and to finalise everything that needs to be done, arduous and persistent methodology has been required full of enthusiasm and passion.

We, the founders, have devoted all our energy and time to the success of the greatest project in our lives and are glad that we are alive and in good health and in a position to enjoy the happiness and passion of our contribution.

 

Through the structure and organisation we are creating, we are ensuring the continued contribution of the Foundation to our country and, after we have gone, because the Foundation was established to exist eternally, it will carry on developing and honouring, in the best possible way, leading Cypriot scientists.

I would especially like to thank my wife, Louki, for her great contribution in achieving this wonderful purpose and all the friends and associates, both within the Foundation and externally, who worked with so much love and dynamism to reach today’s result.

I would also like to thank the President of the Republic, in particular, who has just returned from a trip abroad and is honouring these leading Cypriot scientists with his presence and this new Foundation set up here in Cyprus, the Takis and Louki Nemitsas Foundation, which we dedicate to the Republic of Cyprus and its future progress, which we all hope will soon be that which we all desire.

With these thoughts I welcome you all to tonight’s first Award Ceremony and thank you warmly for the honour you have bestowed upon us with your presence.

Takis Nemitsas

23/11/2010