28 Nov., 17 The official launch ceremony has been scheduled for 29 November 2017, at 10:00am and will take place at "Stoa" venue (Municipal Square in the Walled City of Nicosia), right next to the premises that will host RISE Centre of Excellence (the old municipal market), the area to be developed as a Creative Industry Quarter and the Buffer Zone that still divides Nicosia and Cyprus in two. The ceremony takes place under the auspices of H.E. the President of the Republic of Cyprus Mr. Nicos Anastasiades, who will address the event. The Director-General of DG Research & Innovation, Mr. Robert-Jan Smits will honour and address the event on behalf of the European Commission. The event will also be addressed by the Mayor of Nicosia Constantinos Yiorkadjis, Rectors or other high level representatives of the collaborating academic institutions (University College London, Max Planck Institute, University of Cyprus, Cyprus University of Technology, Open University Cyprus) and the Project Scientific Coordinator Associate Professor Yiorgos Chrysanthou on behalf of the core team of RISE Scientists. An exhibition of the RISE consortium research showcasing the scientific and innovation potential of the field of interest of the new Centre will follow the opening ceremony. The event will close with a Panel Discussion on "The role of innovation cities and academic institutions in driving innovation led economic development". The panel will be chaired by the Director-General of the European Commission's DG Research & Innovation, Mr. Robert-Jan Smits and moderated by the Chair of the University of Cyprus Entrepreneurship Council, Associate Professor of Strategy, Dr. George Kassinis. Distinguished panel participants include: