Energy is recognized as a fundamental pillar of economic growth. Energy sources constitute a good being in a situation of scarcity and its possession offers a strategic advantage. The Law provides anyway the necessary regulatory intervention to the energy sector, but it also coincides and interacts with other sciences, the cognitive object of which concerns aspects of energy issues. Between them are included the security of energy supply, the protection of energy consumers, the environmental effect of the energy production, the sustainability of energy development, the fair competition in the energy market and the renewable energy sources. In that respect, the law scientist will collaborate with the economist, the environmentalist, the engineer, the internationalist.
Cyprus has justifiably obtained the denomination of energy node, because on the one hand of the recent discovery of the significant size natural gas deposits and on the other hand of its geographical position in the real heart of the South East Mediterranean Sea. For that reason, the island could justifiably constitute the site of the establishment and operation of an interdisciplinary research center, which will deal with energy topics, to be considered under different scientific aspects.
The ‘radiation’ of this research center could embrace the neighbor countries (Greee, Israel and Egypt), which participate to the ad hoc constituted international energy fora, developing relevant international collaborations. Still, in any case, this research center could become a precious counsel of the Cypriot State, in the frame of the actual geopolitical context, which definitely encourages hopes of prosperity, but also is inherent with dangers of conflicts.
FOUNDATION
1. By decision of the Senate of the European University Cyprus (E.U.C.), after deliberation of the Council of the School of Law of the E.U.C., an Interdisciplinary Research Center for Energy has been founded (I.R.C.E.), situated in Nicosia (Cyprus).
2. The I.R.C.E. has not an own legal personality and operates as an Research Center of the E.U.C., governed by the Regulations of the E.U.C.
OBJECTS
The I.R.C.E. objects are the following :
a. The general handling of all aspects of the energy issues, in an interdisciplinary basis. b. The drafting, the production and the implementation of research programs regarding interdisciplinary energy issues as well as their propagation to the scientific world and the general public. c. The organization of scientific lectures, seminars, conferences, congresses and other scientific events as well as the publication of papers and books. d. The collaboration with other research and scientific foundations and other public and private institutions situated in Cyprus and abroad in matters of mutual interest concerning the interdisciplinary research regarding the energy sector. e. The coverage of the research needs of the E.U.C. both in undergraduate and postgraduate level. στ. The collaboration in situ with postdoctoral researchers from Cyprus and abroad. f. The provision of research services to private and public institutions. g. The participation to procedures of call of expression of interest for the implementation of research programs to be proclaimed by national or international organizations and especially by the European Commission.
STAFFING
1 . The I.R.C.E. is staffed for its research needs by members of the Academic Staff (Faculty) of the E.U.C. Schools characterized with cognitive objects related to energy issues, by Visiting Postdoctoral Researchers, by PhD candidates and by holders of university scholarships. .
2. The I.R.C.E. is staffed for its administration needs by members of the Administrative Staff of the E.U.C. School of Law as well as by volunteer students of the same School.
ADMINISTRATION
1. The I.R.C.E. is governed by a five member Executive Committee, which is composed by the President, the General Director and the Three Members.
2. As President of the Executive Committee is named ex officio the acting Dean of the E.U.C. School of Law or a well recognized academic or politician designated by him. As General Director of the Executive Committee is named ex officio the Faculty member of the E.U.C. School of Law, who is charged with the Course of Energy Law. Each one of the Deans of the School of Law, of the School of Business Administration and of the School of Science designates one Member of the Executive Committee among the Faculty members of their School.
3. The Executive Committee is officially designated by act of the Rector of the E.U.C., following the provisions of the previous paragraph. Also, by act of the E.U.C. Rector are designated new Executive Committee members, in case of resignation or expiration of the term of the already designated members.
4. The Executive Committee members’ term is for a period of three years, which is renewable.
5. The Executive Committee ordinary meetings are taking place every two months. The President has the right to call for an extraordinary meeting in exceptional cases.
EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE POWERS
1. The Executive Committee has the power to decide regarding all issues related to the administration and the functioning of the I.R.C.E., the management and the exploitation of the research results of its activities, the disposal of its resources and, generally, to all actions related to the fulfillment of its objectives, pursuant to the rules set in the Executive Committee Internal Functioning Regulation.
2. The Executive Committee President is calling the Executive Committee for its ordinary and extraordinary meetings, is defining the topics to be discussed and is presiding during the procedure of the meeting.
3. The President is representing the I.R.C.E. and the Executive Committee regarding their external relations and may concede this power to the General Director in certain cases at his own discretion.
4. The General Director has the responsibility of the day to day management of the I.R.C.E. functioning, subject to the Executive Committee decisions and being obliged to inform the President regarding his actions. .
SCIENTIFIC BOARD
1. In order to assure a valid scientific oversight of the I.R.C.E. activities, is constituted an I.R.C.E.’s Scientific Board, by resolution of the Executive Committee, which is composed by academics and, in general, scientists of well-known prestige, of high technocratic level and of incontestable scientific command in related to Energy fields.
2. The I.R.C.E.’s Scientific Board meetings are taking place every three months. During its first meeting, taking place after a call made by the President of the I.R.C.E.’s Executive Committee, the Scientific Board elects its President among its members, who has the right to call for its next meetings.
3. The Scientific Board would take place through teleconference..
4 . The President of the Scientific Board is defining the topics to be discussed during the meetings, following the provisions regarding the Executive Committee powers, is collaborating in that respect with the President and the General Director of the Executive Committee and is being kept informed by them regarding the current I.R.C.E.’s activities.
5. The Scientific Board has the power to make proposals and suggestions to the Executive Committee for the optimum achievement of the I.R.C.E.’s goals.
INCOME
The I.R.C.E.’s income is emanating from :
a) subventions / financing from research programs of the European Union, international organizations and the State,
b) donations, hereditary and sponsorships form third parties, as well as any kind of benefits coming from native or foreigner persons or legal entities, c) income emanating from services provision, preparation of studies and the implementation or evaluation of research programs undertook by third parties, d) every other income source which is not contrary to the law.
BOOKS / ARCHIVES
1. In order to cover the needs for the I.R.C.E.’s functioning the following books / archives are being kept :
a. book of assets, b. file for the every year financial data, c. protocol for the incoming and outgoing mail, d. catalogue of the scientific books, magazines and organs, e. list of the already completed and ongoing research programs, f. book of the staff changes.
2. By decision of the General Director, any other kind of book / archive would be being kept if it is imposed so by law or if it is considered necessary