The Faculty of Engineering Honors Distinguished Professor Stelios Kyriakides with an Honorary Doctorate

“Cyprus is honored internationally by scientists who excel abroad and serve as its best ambassadors. Among them, Professor Stelios Kyriakides holds a distinguished position.” With these words, Professor Panos Papanastasiou of the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering described the distinguished scientist during the conferment ceremony on Tuesday, September 16, 2025, when Professor Kyriakides was awarded the title of Honorary Doctor of the Faculty of Engineering. This honorary recognition coincided with the opening of the new, state-of-the-art facilities of the Faculty, marking a historic moment for the University of Cyprus and the Cypriot scientific community.

Professor Kyriakides was honored for his pioneering work on the propagation of instability phenomena in structures and materials, with applications in offshore pipelines, shape memory alloys, and composite materials. He is internationally recognized as a leading figure in the field of Mechanics, with major contributions in advancing research and education, bridging academic innovation with practical applications in critical technologies.

The ceremony included an address by the Rector of the University of Cyprus, Professor Tasos Christofides, and a presentation of the honoree’s work, contribution, and character by Professor Panos Papanastasiou. Professor Papanastasiou stated that Cyprus is honored internationally by scientists who excel abroad and serve as its best ambassadors. He emphasized that Professor Stelios Kyriakides holds a prominent place among them, with significant contributions to research, innovation, and science. The conferment of the honorary doctorate, he noted, is a tangible expression of gratitude and recognition of his distinguished work and integrity. The proclamation was read by the Dean of the Faculty of Engineering, Professor Marina Neophytou, followed by the ceremonial investiture of the honoree with the University of Cyprus gown by Rector Professor Tasos Christofides.

In his response, Professor Kyriakides thanked the University of Cyprus for awarding him the honorary title of Honorary Doctor, stressing that this distinction holds special meaning due to his Cypriot origin. In his lecture titled “Lessons from My Forty-Five Years in Research”, he shared insights from his journey in research, academic teaching, and life, highlighting the value of knowledge, perseverance, and hard work.

He emphasized that a deep understanding of problems can open new paths in science and encouraged young researchers to cultivate their scientific curiosity, seek the new and original, and invest in ethics and collaboration. Concluding, he expressed pride in his roots and gratitude to both Cyprus and the United States, which welcomed him as a refugee. At the same time, he noted that the University of Cyprus has evolved into an excellent institution worthy of pride, but he conveyed a message to the state: in order for the University to achieve a higher position on the international academic map, it is essential to offer undergraduate programs in English, thus attracting leading academics and students from around the world.

After the conferment ceremony, guests—including members of the academic community, students, and alumni—were given a tour of the new buildings and the Faculty’s innovative laboratories, such as the Seismic Shake Table, the Metal 3D Printing Laboratory, and the 6G Wireless Communication Systems Laboratory. The event concluded with a welcome reception featuring live saxophone music.

The Conferment Ceremony of Professor Kyriakides is available on the University of Cyprus YouTube channel