Nicosia: The establishment of the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens (NKUA) branch in Cyprus marks a significant milestone in higher education and cooperation between Greece and Cyprus, announced University Rector, Professor Gerasimos Siasos, during a press conference in Nicosia. This initiative is seen as a strategic development in the relationship between the two nations, enhancing educational and cultural ties.
According to Cyprus News Agency, discussions have been initiated with the President of the Republic, alongside other medical schools and the Cyprus General Health System, concerning the potential operation of a university hospital in Cyprus. This collaboration reflects the University’s commitment to integrating with the local healthcare infrastructure and expanding its educational reach.
In his presentation, Professor Siasos provided a historical perspective on the University of Athens, highlighting its nearly two centuries of educational service. He noted that over 320,000 Cypriot students have graduated from NKUA, with a significant number of practicing doctors in Cyprus being alumni of the University’s Medical School. Currently, more than 3,000 Cypriot students are enrolled at the University in Athens, showcasing the institution’s longstanding impact on the region.
The Rector also shared the results of a pan-Cypriot poll, revealing that 87% of citizens support the establishment of the University of Athens branch, with over 70% recognizing its prestige and the quality of education it offers. The branch, in its initial phase, includes four schools and eight departments, utilizing both historically renovated buildings in Nicosia and modern facilities in Larnaca.
The new branch will initially offer programs in various disciplines, including Medicine, Nursing, Economics, Business and Organisational Management, Port and Maritime Management, Primary Education, Psychology, and an English-language BA program in Archaeology, History, and Literature in Ancient Greece. The Rector’s Office and the Administrative Council will be situated in the Elenio building, with the school administration housed in a historic building in the Faneromeni area, offered by the Archdiocese of Cyprus.
Professor Siasos emphasized the branch’s strategic importance in education and culture, noting its strong support from the Government of Cyprus, the Church of Cyprus, and local authorities. This support reflects the Cypriot society’s desire to embrace the University of Athens as a significant educational institution within their community.
At the press conference, Charalambos Prountzos, Mayor of Nicosia, highlighted the University’s role in strengthening the academic ecosystem of the city, which already includes several major universities. He noted that the presence of the NKUA branch enhances Nicosia’s reputation as a regional educational hub, attracting a vibrant student population and contributing to the city’s economic and cultural vitality.
The director of the Theological School of the Church of Cyprus, Fr. Kyprianos Kountouris, read a message from the Archbishop of Cyprus, who is a member of the branch’s steering committee. He was followed by addresses from the heads of the University departments that will operate in Cyprus.
In response to questions about the target audience and recruitment process, Siasos stated that the branch aims to attract prospective Cypriot students, as well as students from the broader region, including Greece and parts of Western Asia and North Africa. The University plans to develop additional foreign language programs to attract a diverse international student body.
Siasos outlined the University’s future plans in Cyprus, including the establishment of additional departments. He expressed optimism that the operational phase of all eight departments would be completed by 2026, with an emphasis on research and innovation.
Addressing tuition fees, Siasos clarified that the branch operates as a non-profit institution, with fees set to cover operational costs. Scholarships are planned, and students transferring from Athens will receive a tuition reduction. He assured that the branch’s facilities are ready and in excellent condition, and collaboration with SHSO will allow medical students to train in public hospitals in Cyprus.
Siasos concluded by highlighting the collaborative approach between the NKUA branch and existing Cypriot universities, aiming to enhance the educational landscape in Cyprus and beyond.