With great ceremony and pride, the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens (NKUA) inaugurated its Cyprus Branch in Nicosia, marking a historic milestone for Greek and Cypriot higher education.

The event was attended by the President of the Republic of Cyprus, senior government officials, and distinguished representatives from both Greece and Cyprus. Present at the inauguration were Professor Gerasimos Siasos, Rector of the University of Athens, and Mayor of Nicosia Haralambos Prountzos, while the Greek government was represented by the Deputy Minister of Education, Religious Affairs and Sports, Professor Kostas Vlasis.

The ceremony signaled the beginning of a new era of academic cooperation and international expansion for Greece’s oldest and largest university. Following the official inauguration, guests were given a tour of the state-of-the-art facilities of the University’s Medical School in Nicosia, where students have already begun their classes wearing their first medical scrubs. The event also included the opening of new student dormitories operated by the Municipality of Nicosia.

Rector Gerasimos Siasos: “A Landmark in the University’s International Journey”

Welcoming the President of the Republic of Cyprus and the Archbishop of Cyprus, Professor Gerasimos Siasos described the establishment of the Cyprus Branch as “the most historic step in the University’s internationalization.”

“Since its founding in 1837,” the Rector said, “the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens has been, in the words of its first Rector, Konstantinos Schinas, ‘the unifying bond of scientists and scholars of Hellenism across the world.’
Today, November 3, 2025, marks a new chapter in our history, as the University of Athens begins operations in Cyprus with four Schools and eight Departments in Nicosia and Larnaca. It becomes the first and only Greek university to establish a branch abroad — and we chose Cyprus for this historic step.”

Professor Siasos emphasized the two centuries of strong ties between the University of Athens and Cyprus, highlighting the thousands of Cypriot graduates who have contributed to the island’s intellectual and economic growth.

“Academic cooperation between Greece and Cyprus,” he added, “will continue to be a powerful driver of progress, education, and research innovation.”

He expressed heartfelt thanks to all those who supported the effort — in particular, President Nicos Christodoulides, Archbishop George of Cyprus, and Mayor Haralambos Prountzos — for their decisive role in bringing the project to fruition.

President Christodoulides: “A Historic Step for Higher Education in Cyprus”

In his remarks, President Nicos Christodoulides hailed the establishment of the Cyprus Branch as “a historic step for higher education in Cyprus.”

Archbishop George of Cyprus expressed the “deep gratitude of the thousands of Cypriots educated at the University of Athens over two centuries,” while Mayor Haralambos Prountzos noted the “significant development already taking place in Nicosia with the arrival of this leading institution.”

The inauguration of the NKUA Cyprus Branch sends a clear message: the University of Athens, a leader in Southeastern Europe, continues to strengthen its international presence and commitment to excellence in education and research.

This new venture represents a major milestone in Greek-Cypriot academic cooperation, reinforcing historic ties, expanding opportunities for students and researchers, and creating a new hub of knowledge and innovation in the region.

Distinguished Attendees

The ceremony was attended by numerous officials, including Minister of Justice and Public Order Marios Hartsiotis, Deputy Minister to the President Irini Piki, Deputy Minister for Immigration and International Protection Nicolas Ioannides, Government Spokesman Constantinos Letymbiotis, Greek Ambassador to Cyprus Constantinos Kolias, and representatives from parliamentary parties.

From the local government, the Mayors of Larnaca, Andreas Vyras, Athienou, Kyriakos Kareklas, Aradippou, Christodoulos Partas, and Kyrenia, Joseph Violaris, were also present, along with other municipal representatives.

Among the academic and institutional attendees were former Minister and MP Dimitris Avramopoulos, Professor Emeritus Mary Koutselini, President of the Quality Assurance and Accreditation Authority for Higher Education, and leaders of several professional associations, including the Pancyprian Medical Association, the Bar Association, and the Cyprus Scientific and Technical Chamber.

Representing the University of Athens were Vice Rectors Professors Efstathios Efstathopoulos, Aristides Samitas, and Christos Karagiannis, along with Professor Nikolaos Thomaidis, Professor Spyridon Vlahopoulos, and many distinguished faculty members and deans.

Four Schools and Eight Departments in Nicosia and Larnaca

In its initial phase, the University of Athens – Cyprus Branch will include four Schools and eight Departments located across Nicosia and Larnaca:

School of Health Sciences (Nicosia):

• Department of Medicine
• Department of Nursing

School of Economics and Political Sciences (Nicosia & Larnaca):

• Department of Economics
• Department of Business and Organizational Management (Nicosia)
• Department of Port and Shipping Management (Larnaca)

School of Philosophy (Nicosia & Larnaca):

• Department of Psychology (Larnaca)
• English-language “BA Program in the Archaeology, History, and Literature of Ancient Greece” (Nicosia)

School of Education (Nicosia):

• Department of Primary Education

Courses at the Faculty of Medicine began immediately after the inauguration on Monday, November 3, 2025. The remaining Departments will begin enrolling students in 2026.

Contact Information

• Department of Medicine (Nicosia): [email protected]
• Department of Nursing (Nicosia): [email protected]
• Department of Economics (Nicosia): [email protected]
• Department of Business & Organization Management (Nicosia): [email protected]
• Department of Port & Shipping Management (Larnaca): [email protected]
• Department of Psychology (Larnaca): [email protected]
• BA Program in the Archaeology, History & Literature of Ancient Greece (Nicosia): [email protected]
• Department of Primary Education (Nicosia): [email protected]