Nicosia: The Cyprus University of Technology (CUT) proudly announced the official launch of the MNEMOSYNE Research Center on Digital Cultural Heritage, marking a significant milestone as the first of its kind in the region. The launch event was held on July 7th at the Bank of Cyprus Cultural Foundation in Nicosia, attended by prominent figures from various sectors including government, academia, and cultural heritage.
According to Cyprus News Agency, the event featured a keynote address by Deputy Minister of Culture, Prof. Dr. Vasiliki Kassianidou. She highlighted the ambitious goals of the new research unit, emphasizing its potential to position Cyprus as a global leader in the preservation of cultural memory. The Deputy Minister expressed the government’s support and collaboration with the Center, recognizing its innovative approach in combining digital heritage, computer science, engineering, and humanities.
The MNEMOSYNE Research Center builds on over a decade of achievements by the Digital Heritage Research Lab (DHRLab) at CUT. Established in 2012, DHRLab gained international acclaim through European Union research funding. The lab’s accomplishments include holding both the UNESCO Chair and EU ERA Chair on Digital Cultural Heritage, receiving the EU Innovators Award, and leading the EU VIGIE2020/654 Study, among others.
MNEMOSYNE integrates three advanced laboratories: the Digital Heritage Research Lab, the Earth Observation for Cultural Heritage Lab, and the Mechanical Engineering Design and Additive Manufacturing Lab. The Center also works with the Robotics Control and Decision Systems Lab, applying AI and robotics for automated documentation and conservation.
A notable innovation by MNEMOSYNE is the ‘Memory Twin’ methodology. This approach enhances digital preservation by incorporating 3D geometry, metadata, and cultural narratives, offering a comprehensive digital representation of artefacts and their cultural context.
The Center has already made an international impact through projects such as the digitization of Cypriot antiquities at the Medelhavsmuseet in Stockholm and its representation in European research infrastructures DARIAH and CLARIN. Locally, MNEMOSYNE has secured over £15 million in EU funding and established numerous research partnerships.
Looking ahead, the MNEMOSYNE Research Center is poised to continue its global influence, with secured funding through 2028. It aims to remain a leading hub for digital innovation, contributing to EU policy, education, and sustainable cultural heritage development.