International Women in Engineering Day: Women-Engineers who Imagine, Design, Create
June 25, 2025
Visit of Professor John Kymissis from Columbia University (USA) to the University of Cyprus and Tour of the New Building Facilities of the Faculty of Engineering.
July 4, 2025
Graduation Ceremony of the Undergraduate Students
In the presence of the President of the Republic of Cyprus, Mr. Nikos Christodoulides, the Graduation Ceremony of undergraduate students of the Faculty of Pure and Applied Sciences and the Faculty of Engineering at the University of Cyprus took place. During the ceremony, held on Tuesday, June 24, 2025, 125 degrees were awarded to graduates of the Faculty of Engineering.
The President of the Republic, Mr. Nikos Christodoulides, described the Faculties of Pure and Applied Sciences and Engineering, along with their departments, as top-tier. He congratulated the graduates for their patience, perseverance, and dedication in acquiring knowledge, urging them to be proud of their achievement. Regarding the Faculty of Engineering, he emphasized that it educates and cultivates the professionals of tomorrow who envision, design, and construct the infrastructures and technological systems of the future. He also highlighted the importance of interdisciplinarity, explaining that in our era, no science advances in isolation. The knowledge the graduates received at the University of Cyprus, he added, enables them to stand competitively in the job market and to shape the development of both their field and their country. Finally, he encouraged the young scientists to continue asking the right questions, to seize the opportunities given to them responsibly, and to turn their knowledge and experiences into contributions for society as a whole.
“The University of Cyprus stands out for its quality education, international recognition, and an environment that promotes innovation, research, and professional development,” stated the Chairman of the University of Cyprus Council, Mr. Tasos Anastasiou. He thanked the academic, research, and administrative staff of the University, as well as donors and sponsors, for their support of its educational and research work. Addressing the graduates, he stressed, among other things, that “the knowledge you acquired was not a given. You built it day by day. Be open to challenges.”
During his speech, the Rector of the University of Cyprus addressed the graduates, stating: “You studied at a university that prepares its students for the challenges of the present and the future, aiming for a better tomorrow.” He encouraged the young scientists to strive for the development of technologies that reduce inequalities, are safe, and genuinely beneficial: “The development and utilization of new technologies must place the human, the environment, and the common good at the center.” Finally, he emphasized that the bar of our demands determines the country’s future and the legacy we leave for future generations.
The top undergraduate student of the Faculty of Pure and Applied Sciences, from the Department of Physics, Eleni Ioannou, addressed her fellow students with her own greeting. “Scientific and technological fields are challenging, but what we need to excel is a bit of curiosity, persistent effort, and a love for knowledge,” she said, reminding them that all dreams are achievable, even if they have not yet taken clear form.
President Christodoulides honored the four top-performing graduates of the Faculty of Engineering, who distinguished themselves with the highest academic achievement in the four individual departments of the Faculty. Specifically, the award was given to:
Nikoleta Vitti from the Department of Architecture,
Panagiotis Michaelides from the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering,
Giorgos Kekkos from the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering,
Pantelia Themistokleous from the Department of Mechanical Engineering and Manufacturing, and
Michail Touloumis from the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering.
The awarding of the prizes recognizes excellence and dedication to academic progress, reaffirming the importance of education as a foundation for Cyprus’s future.
Graduation Ceremony of the Postgraduate Students
With great splendor, the Postgraduate Graduation Ceremony took place on Thursday, June 26, 2025, at the University of Cyprus, during which a total of 241 degrees were awarded, including 46 Doctorates and 195 Master’s Degrees, to graduates of the Faculties of Humanities, Social Sciences and Education, Engineering, and Philosophy.
The Deputy Minister of Culture, Dr. Vasiliki Kassianidou, emphasized that the fundamental difference between an undergraduate degree and postgraduate or doctoral studies is that the latter represent a conscious choice to focus on a specific field, with full awareness and responsibility taken by the students themselves. “The time has come for you to utilize the tools provided by the University of Cyprus and actively contribute to the future of the country,” she stated. Referring to graduates of the Faculties of Humanities and Social Sciences as well as Philosophy, she stressed that without literature and the arts, the world and society would be poorer. For the graduates of the Faculty of Engineering, she noted that technological progress and the transformation of the country into a center of innovation and development largely depend on their knowledge and skills.
The Vice-Chair of the University of Cyprus Council, Ms. Androula Vasiliou, addressing the graduates, noted that the completion of their postgraduate studies opens new horizons and challenges. Drawing inspiration from Plutarch’s saying, “The mind is not a vessel to be filled, but a fire to be kindled,” she called on graduates to fuel their own fire with the knowledge they acquired through their studies. She emphasized that acquiring knowledge and skills is a continuous process and that no one should become complacent.
The Rector of the University of Cyprus, Professor Tasos Christofides, said, among other things: “You studied at a university oriented towards service to society and meaningful communication with it,” highlighting the need for empathy, personal improvement, creative questioning, and innovation. Referring to the rapid developments in the field of Artificial Intelligence, he urged the young scientists to actively participate in public dialogue and decision-making, questioning not only “what we create” but also “why, how, and if we truly need it.” Concluding, he stressed that the bar of our collective demands determines the country’s future and posed the question: “How do we stir the waters and what change do we seek?”
Emotional was the response of the top-performing doctoral graduate, Ms. Asimina Galanopoulou Terenti, from the Department of French and European Studies of the Faculty of Humanities. She stressed that lifelong learning is essential in an era of complex and multidimensional challenges. Knowledge, she noted, is the greatest investment in ourselves and is not limited only to professional success but is a tool for understanding the world, developing critical thinking, and positively contributing to society. Closing, she meaningfully stated: “By each of us following our own truth, we approached the light of knowledge and today we enjoy the beautiful light of intellectual brilliance.”
During the graduation ceremony of the four Faculties, the EY Award, in memory of Christia Rossidou-Sotiriou, amounting to 2,500 euros, was awarded to the postgraduate student of the Faculty of Engineering, Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Ms. Andra Naziri, who was distinguished for her leadership skills throughout her studies. The award was presented by the Rector of the University of Cyprus and the Human Resources Director of EY, Ms. Teresa Dimitriou.
