Our first professional visit of the trip was today with the Cyprus Marine and Maritime Institute (CMMI). Soon after our usual and extensive breakfast across the street from our hotel, we traveled back to Larnaca, the same city we flew into Cyprus to meet with CMMI. CMMI is a government-funded research and innovation group focused on maritime sustainability. With their funding beginning in 2019 and ending in 2026, they work very closely with the shipping ports and companies on the island of Cyprus to promote a greener future.
The first presentation at our visit was focused on the visions of the company. Currently, CMMI is a small operation with only about 44 staff members. They do the majority of their academic work at separate locations including local universities and local labs. I noticed that presentations were much more collaborative. Instead of having one individual answer our questions and present the slides, multiple members of their team would step in to add a piece of information. In answering our questions, their responses were extensive and detailed. Usually in the States, asking questions yields a quick and concise response. Our second, third, fourth, and fifth presentations consisted of various departments at CMMI, including digitalization, robotics, and alternative fuel sources.
While each presentation was detailed and informative, not much of their content was focused on projects they are already working on. Almost everything they talked about was referring to their intentions and plans for the future. It was slightly disappointing to not see or hear about many things that were tangible but this lack of current projects could have been due to the fact the company is still relatively new. What was most impressive about CMMI was its community outreach. Through all of their endeavors, CMMI elaborated on various programs including their name a reef, boat construction, and student engagement. Being that CMMI is focused on the shipping industry, they emphasized a shortage of labor in the upcoming generation. We noticed that CMMI and other companies place heavy emphasis on engaging younger people so that they are aware of the opportunities in the shipping industry.
Later in the day, we met back up with our delightful tour guide that has been showing us around the historical sites all week. That afternoon, we visited the Church of St. Lazarus, a site consisting of components added by the Byzantines and the British. We were fortunate enough to see the actual sarcophagus that Lazarus was buried in and could even touch it. It was amazing to see the minimal protection around the entire church. If this site was in the States, there would have been plenty of security preventing the chance of vandalism. The unprotected church goes to show how safe the country is.
For our final destination of the day, we visited Lafkara, a small village in the Troodos mountains. We learned the village was known for a traditional lace, hand weaved by the people in the village. Walking through the streets, older women would sit outside their shops, weaving the lace. In speaking to them, it was difficult to hear that the skill is dying. With so many people going straight into an industry or going to university, there aren’t many people in the village still practicing the local skills.
