Nicosia: The state supports University Institutions and their work in a practical way, implementing long-term policies and investing in quality education, President of the Republic, Nikos Christodoulides said on Friday evening, at the inauguration ceremony of the expansion of the European University Cyprus campus, in Nicosia.
According to Cyprus News Agency, President Christodoulides highlighted significant developments such as the establishment of the Medical School in 2013, the introduction of the first Dentistry Program in 2017, the opening of the Frankfurt branch of the Medical School in 2022, and the newly established Veterinary School set for 2024. These initiatives have transformed the European University Cyprus into a major educational hub, offering new opportunities for local students and attracting international students seeking high-quality education with distinguished faculty and cutting-edge facilities.
Additionally, President Christodoulides shared insights from his recent visit to the United States, where he engaged with companies in San Francisco interested in investing in Cyprus, particularly in research and innovation centers. He emphasized that these companies recognize the strengths of Cyprus’s universities and their skilled workforce, seeing them as key factors in establishing research and innovation centers on the island.
The President also noted that the European University Cyprus’s philosophy aligns with the government’s strategy to enhance higher education in Cyprus. For the first time, a national strategy has been developed, incorporating input from multiple ministries, with actions already underway. This strategy aims to improve the quality of higher education and ensure sustainability through excellence, labor market alignment, internationalization, and scholarship programs to attract foreign students.
Furthermore, President Christodoulides praised the European University’s success in aligning its programs with labor market needs, benefiting Cypriot students. He highlighted Cyprus’s current unemployment rate, which is below 5%, the lowest since 2008. He also mentioned the upcoming brain gain campaign in London on May 21st, where over 500 Cypriots, mainly scientists working in London, have registered, expressing interest in returning to Cyprus.