The American University of Beirut (AUB) campus in Cyprus boosts the island’s bid to be an international educational, technological and research hub, said President Nikos Christodoulides.
At a ceremony Wednesday, he laid the foundation stone of the AUB Mediteranneo, as the Paphos campus will be named.
President Christodoulides said the university adds to the “tremendous progress Cyprus is making in higher education over the past few years”.
“Today’s event testifies to our commitment to promote academic excellence and our willingness to support regional synergies and cooperation.
“The university’s opening creates new avenues for knowledge, innovation, and research.
“The American University of Beirut has a rich legacy spanning over 157 years; it has influenced the lives of thousands of students and contributed to the prosperity of Lebanon and nearby countries, including Cyprus”.
Christodoulides said establishing AUB’s Cyprus campus in Paphos will boost the island’s education sector and reinforce the strong bridge between Cyprus and Lebanon.
This “aligns with our policy to establish Cyprus as a regional and international educational, technological and research hub.”
Nicosia is pursuing intergovernmental agreements for the mutual recognition of academic qualifications to internationalise higher education while using Cyprus universities’ scientific potential to formulate development policies.
Christodoulides acknowledged the work done by former President Nicos Anastasiades and thanked all those who contributed to the project, including the chairman of the board of trustees of AUB, Dr Philip Khoury, the president of AUB Dr Fadlo Khuri.
“May this higher education Institution be a beacon of knowledge, fostering a brighter future for our youth, our countries, and our region”.
Paphos Mayor Phedon Phedonos said the AUB would boost the town’s economy.
Phedonos said the project progressed quickly, and by October, the first phase will be completed.
The university’s first year of operation has attracted nearly 2,000 students.
AUB’s Cyprus campus is at the old Carob Mills on the road leading to Kato Paphos. The campus covers an area of 10,000 square metres.
