NKUA marks historic milestone with the official launch of its Cyprus Branch

More than one hundred people from both countries took part in the official ceremony marking the launch. Among them, the heads of state of Greece and Cyprus, along with the senior religious leaders of both countries. Their presence underscored the symbolic significance of the occasion, reflecting a shared commitment to education, culture, and the longstanding ties between the two nations.

The President of the Hellenic Republic, Constantine An. Tasoulas, emphasized the transformative meaning of the initiative, describing Greece and Cyprus as “one homeland - the place where the heart of the Hellenic World beats.”

He praised the University’s leadership for its “courage, vision and determination,” noting that the new academic presence “symbolises and strengthens the unity of the Hellenic World.”

He further urged that this development be seen as part of a broader educational mission:

If we are to preserve and deepen the ties between Greece and Cyprus - ties stretching back through the centuries — we must continue to open new pathways for future generations.

A moment of national significance for Cyprus

The President of the Republic of Cyprus, Nikos Christodoulides, highlighted the profound meaning of welcoming an institution with such a long-standing academic legacy. He described the new branch as marking “the beginning of a significant new institutional and political era,” one that reinforces the fraternal bonds between the two countries.

Reflecting on the role the University has played in shaping Cypriot society, he noted that generations of Cypriots “received the light of knowledge within this intellectual nursery,” describing it as “a beacon of education and a cradle of culture.”

He also stressed that establishing the Cyprus Branch represents “the natural continuation of a historic course,” further deepening the shared aspirations of Greece and Cyprus.

A strategic extension of a two‑century relationship

The Rector Gerasimos Siasos described the Cyprus Branch as “a historic moment for the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens and for higher education in both Greece and Cyprus,” calling it “the most significant step in the internationalisation of the University to date.”

He highlighted that the relationship between the University and Cyprus spans nearly two centuries:

The presence of the University of Athens in Cyprus does not begin today; it represents the natural continuation of an uninterrupted course of intellectual, scientific and national partnership.

The Rector emphasized that the new branch will not only honour this legacy but expand it through new programmes, research initiatives, and international student recruitment, believing that “academic cooperation between Greece and Cyprus will continue to serve as a powerful engine of development for both countries.”

Looking toward a shared academic future

At a time when global education faces mounting challenges, the establishment of the Cyprus Branch stands as a forward‑looking response - one that preserves the shared intellectual heritage of Greece and Cyprus while creating new opportunities for future generations.

The expansion reinforces a dynamic and evolving academic landscape, ensuring that the bonds of knowledge, culture, and humanistic values remain both strong and relevant in the decades ahead.

Find out more from the original story, in Greek.