DESTINI H2020 Twinning Project proposes a series of coordination and support actions for promoting research in the area of Smart Data. It brings together two internationally recognized scientific groups from the Netherlands (Tilburg University and Jheronymous Academy of Data Science - ERISS/JADS) and Italy (Sapienza Universita di Roma – UNIROMA1) that collaborate with Cyprus University of Technology (CUT) so as to strengthen CUT’s research and scientific profile in the relevant area. The aim of DESTINI is to facilitate transfer of scientific knowledge and expertise, as well as of best research practices from the leading institutions to CUT. The ultimate goal is that the research group of CUT increases its research capacity and prowess, by investigating a number of significant and hot topics in the field of Smart Data Processing and Systems of Deep Insight.

Aim of the project

The aim of DESTINI is to facilitate transfer of scientific knowledge and expertise, as well as of best research practices from the leading institutions to CUT. The ultimate goal is that the research group of CUT increases its research capacity and prowess, by investigating a number of significant and hot topics in the field of Smart Data Processing and Systems of Deep Insight.

Research pillars

The research pillars of DESTINI,also called Joint Research Activities(JRAS) are Smart Data Processing Systems, Systems of Deep Insight and Methodology for Smart Data-centric Services & Applications.

Smart Data Processing Systems: This JRA includes data ingestion, data aggregation of an enormous va-riety of structured, unstructured and semi-structured datasets, knowledge-based meta-data represen-tation techniques for the conversion of raw into smart data, data privacy and protection, automated deployment, run-time software performance monitoring and dynamic configuration.

Systems of Deep Insight: This JRA focuses on analytic solutions that enable optimization of asset per-formance in smart data processing systems and is geared towards systems of insight. These are systems that turn data into insights, systematically test insights and find those data that mat-ter to make them contextual and actionable.

Methodology for Smart Data-centric Services & Applications: This JRA targets smart application devel-opment techniques by providing a methodology that interlocks elements of smart data processing and systems of deep insight to alleviate complexity and the effect of changes, thus speeding up the entire software development/deployment process for smart applications in priority sectors identified by the Smart Specialisation Strategy of Cyprus (S3Cy).

We envisage that a number of high- quality research results may be produced during and after the duration of the project; this will enable CUT to significantly increase its international standing in the research community, by both achieving related publications in the top-tier scientific journals and conferences of our research area, as well as by producing new tools that will benefit industrial and business stakeholders. Close cooperation between the partners of DESTINI will take the form of knowledge acquisition and transfer through personnel exchanges, expert visits, organization of workshops and summer schools with lectures delivered from the leading institutions, participation in international scientific conferences/workshops, development of joint training sessions and mobility programmes for early stage researchers, and establishment of strong links with the market/industry.

Project Milestones

Milestone 1:
Identification of the scientific backbone, core concepts, enablers, gaps, weaknesses, challenges, problems and best practises within the Smart Data Processing and Systems of Deep Insight areas of research. [M3]

Milestone 2:
Execution of gap analysis and evaluation of CUT’s current research status and potential on the JRAs of focus within the area of Smart Data Processing and Systems of Deep Insight, and formulation of DESTINI’s Research & Innovation Agenda. [M5]

Milestone 3:
Formation of the core stakeholders’ collaboration basis for continuously receiving feedback and preparing the ground for future joint funding proposals and piloting activities. [M8]

Milestone 4:
Launching of joint training and mobility programs for the engagement and integration of early stage researchers. [M8]

Milestone 5:
Development of strategic research partnerships globally to pursue sustainability and attract EU and national funding in the future. [M24]

Milestone 6:
Development of a strong scientific background on Smart Data Processing and Systems of Deep In-sight. Enhancement of CUT’s research capacity, effectiveness and potential. [M36]