UCLan Cyprus: “We are proud to be a university that is dedicated to making a difference”

Yiannis Zezos, Head of Marketing at UCLan Cyprus, tells CBN that the university has seen an increase in international students interested in studying in Cyprus, while he explains that Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) is a part of the institution’s DNA: “Commitment to CSR is in UCLanians’ DNA, from the research we conduct to the community initiatives we support.”

Can you tell us more about your company, when you were established in Cyprus and how many offices / members of staff you currently have?

UCLan Cyprus was established in Cyprus in 2012. Our campus is in Larnaka, a location where it allows students to flourish in idyllic surroundings whilst receiving a first-class education. Currently, we have over 200 staff members working across different departments in both professional and academic staff.

What do you believe sets your company apart from its competition?

What sets our university apart from our competition is our commitment to providing a high-quality education that prepares our students for success in their careers. In addition, UCLan Cyprus is the British University of Cyprus which offers a double-awarded degree (two certificates) from UCLan UK and UCLan Cyprus, recognised across Europe and beyond. We also offer a diverse range of programmes which we carefully choose through research and based on the industry’s needs and niche markets. Recently we have introduced both the BSc (Hons) Media Production programme and BEng (Hons) Computer Engineering programme, while we have been pioneers in MSc Data Analytics and its cooperation with SAS, in MSc Cybersecurity, and other fields that aim to collaborate with continuously rising fields and industry sectors. Lastly, we could not be prouder of our Academic staff, which is research-active, highly qualified and experienced in various fields, while at the same time they focus on their students’ experience, progress, and career success.

How has your experience of doing business in Cyprus been and would you recommend it to other foreign interest companies looking to relocate?

Thankfully, our experience in doing business in Cyprus has been positive so far. Cyprus is a great place for foreign companies to relocate as it has great weather, a favourable tax system (compared to other countries in the EU) and is situated in the eastern corner of the Mediterranean Sea, lying at the crossroads of Europe, Africa, and Asia and close to the busy shipping and air routes linking Europe with the Arab world and the Far East.

What is your view of your sector (locally and on a global level) both as it is today and its potential for growth?

The educational sector is seeing growth, both locally and internationally. As the demand continues to increase, we anticipate that the sector will continue to grow and evolve in new and exciting ways. At UCLan Cyprus, we see an increase in the number of international students who are interested in studying here, which is a positive sign for the industry and Cyprus in general.

Where do you see your company in five years? Are there any immediate plans for your company you can reveal to us, for example new products, services, plans for expansion?

In the future, we see UCLan Cyprus as a leading institution for higher education in Cyprus and beyond. We would like to be recognised as a world-class, research-led University, competing successfully and sustainably within a national and international market. We are a university that is increasingly recognised for its commitment to outstanding teaching and practical learning, impactful research, innovative thinking, and knowledge transfer that adds value to socio-economic and scientific development across frontiers. Our goal is to continue expanding our programmes to meet the changing needs of our students and the industry.

How much focus do you put on CSR and being part of the local community?

CSR and community engagement are important to the British University of Cyprus. We believe that it is our responsibility to give back to the community and contribute to the development of society. To this end, we regularly organise and participate in community events and support local initiatives that align with our values and mission. A different CSR approach is through the research conducted by our academics. We encourage our faculty members to engage in research that has the potential to make a meaningful impact. By focusing on research that aligns with our CSR values, we are not only contributing to the growth of knowledge but also making a positive contribution to society. Commitment to CSR is in UCLanians’ DNA, from the research we conduct to the community initiatives we support, and we are proud to be a university that is dedicated to making a difference.