Athens, Greece. President Nikos Christodoulides said the establishment of a branch of the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens in Cyprus marks a milestone in efforts to further internationalise and upgrade higher education in the country.
Branch establishment and strategic aims
Christodoulides spoke at an event in Athens held to officially establish the branch in Cyprus, describing it as a natural continuation of a historic course in which many generations of Cypriots have studied at the Athens university.
He said the creation of the branch supports the strategic goal of transforming Cyprus into a regional centre of knowledge, research and innovation, with benefits for society, the economy and the international image of Cyprus.
Impact on Cyprus education and research
Christodoulides said the branch will enrich the educational landscape in Cyprus, encouraging synergies and collaborations while expanding opportunities for academic and research development.
He said the government is investing in strengthening the country’s academic and research sector and creating the framework for a dynamic academic community, adding that higher education is viewed as a fundamental pillar of development.
Regional outlook and Greece’s response
Christodoulides referred to the outward orientation of Cypriot universities, noting they are expanding into Greece and other European countries within a pan-European and evolving internationalised environment.
Greece’s Minister of Education, Religious Affairs and Sports, Sofia Zacharaki, described the operation of the Cyprus branch as a “shared national success,” saying Greece and Cyprus are becoming a reference point for education in the wider region.
How do you think the new Cyprus branch will affect higher education opportunities in the country?
