Press Releases

It is with great pleasure that I address today the official opening ceremony of the American University of Cyprus. The establishment of new Universities with high expectations in the provision of quality Higher Education and commitment to excellence is another important step towards the fulfillment of the government’s strategic goal to make our country a regional and international Higher Education and Research Center. 

In a Press Conference this morning, I had the opportunity to stress the importance of Higher Education in our country and to express the satisfaction of our Government for the progress registered during the last years in the field of higher Education and research in Cyprus.

According to the data the number of the students in universities and other high education establishments increased by 63% from 32864 during the academic year 2013-2014  to 53262 students in 2019-2020. At the same time, I was pleased   to notice that including the registration of the American University of Cyprus, the number of public and private universities in Cyprus rises to ten. In this way, we gradually reach our target to transform Cyprus to a regional higher education and research hub.

The announcement of the opening of a new university is good news. I welcome this evening the American University of Cyprus in the city of Larnaka and in Cyprus, looking forward to its contribution in terms of knowledge, academic excellence and the well-being of our youth and the society in general. As knowledge, research and academic excellence is undoubtedly the wealth of nations in our times.

Official authorities in our country support in every possible way the Higher Education and encourage private investment in the sector. It is our strong belief that Higher Education is the vehicle for smooth adaptation to the constant social and economic changes of the modern age. A strong Higher Education system dedicated to excellence, adapted to the needs of the modern labor market, and inspired by the fundamental principles and values that shape strong personalities which can contribute to the progress and prosperity of Cyprus, is a vision towards which the government and, in particular the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sport and Youth put a great emphasis on. In addition, the establishment of Higher Education Institutions pursuing academic excellence strengthens the promotion of Cyprus Higher Education abroad by attracting quality European and international students with all the positive economic, social and political consequences.

Recognizing the importance of quality Higher Education and expanding this sector, the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sport and Youth has proceeded to the establishment of the Cyprus Agency of Quality Assurance and Accreditation in Higher Education in 2015, which is the competent authority for quality assurance and accreditation in Higher Education. Furthermore, the Cyprus State provides annually sponsorship to students of Higher Education, based on socio-economic criteria, and pursues the promotion of Higher Education abroad, in cooperation with all stakeholders of the public and private sector.

American University of Cyprus has been recently evaluated and accredited by the Cyprus Agency of Quality Assurance and Accreditation in Higher Education (DIPAE). Upon the University's institutional, departmental and programmatic evaluation and accreditation by the Cyprus Agency of Quality Assurance and Accreditation, just today the Council of Ministers decided the registration of the American University of Cyprus to the University Register, which is kept in our Ministry, defining the Faculties, Departments and Programs of Study with which the University will start its operation, after securing an initial operating license. The three approved by the competent authority Faculties of the newly established University are the Faculty of Business Administration and Economics, the Faculty of Sciences and Technology and the Faculty of Arts and Humanities. The relevant undergraduate programs meet some important educational and social needs.

The Ministry of Education welcomes the American University of Cyprus to our Higher Education community. Within the framework of legality, together, with all Higher Education Institutions of our country, Public and Private, we will work towards our common goal, a Higher Education System with strong foundations, guided by quality and excellence in all aspects, competitive in European and International level, strong enough to face the challenges of the ever-changing economic and social conditions of our time. 

It is up to you, the founders and the authorities of the American University of Cyprus, to develop the Institution to the fullest extent possible, serving the noble purpose of providing quality Education to both local and foreign students, promoting research and innovation and contributing to the government’s strategic goal to turn Cyprus to a quality regional and international center of Higher Education and Research. The contribution of Institutions of Higher Education to the achievement of the above goal is welcomed and encouraged by the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sport and Youth, which is ready to provide any support needed.

Concluding, I would like to congratulate you for all your efforts towards the establishment of a new Private University and wish you every success in the very interesting and promising field of Higher Education, which you have decided to serve. Educating new generations, equipping them with the necessary knowledge and skills to fulfill their dreams and thus to be able to contribute significantly to the economic and social life of their country, is a challenging and important task.  Wishing you all the best at the beginning of this effort, I am convinced that the American University of Cyprus will serve the Higher Education sector with zeal and dedication to academic quality and excellence.

 IP