American University of Beirut-Mediterraneo officially launched in Paphos

The American University of Beirut's Mediterranean campus, known as AUB - Mediterraneo, has been officially inaugurated at the Paphos Innovation Centre.

The 6 September event was attended by Ministers of Education of Cyprus and Lebanon, Ambassador of the United States to Cyprus, Trustees of the American University of Beirut, Mayor and Leaders of the Municipality of Pafos, academics and faculty staff.

“The establishment of AUB - Mediterraneo in Paphos is a significant step forward in our collective pursuit of excellence in education”, said Minister of Education Athena Michaelidou.

She added that “it will empower our students to explore, question and contribute to the advancement of knowledge and understanding.”

She also pointed out that higher education in Cyprus has made tremendous progress over the recent years and continues to develop with the establishment of new higher education institutions.

“Our commitment to academic excellence and the provision of high-quality higher education leads to the establishment of more universities, establishing Cyprus as a regional, as well as an international educational, technological and research centre of excellence”, she said.  

She furthermore pointed out that higher education had a significant role to play in the economic and social development of Cyprus and it is considered the vehicle through which citizens acquire the skills and competencies that society and economy need in order to remain competitive and innovative. She added that the opening of new universities contributes to the further enhancement of the financial development of the country.

The Minister said that the inauguration was a significant event for Cyprus and a testament to the country’s commitment to academic excellence and cultural exchange.

“This momentous occasion marks a culmination of dedication, collaboration and a shared vision for education that transcends borders”, she said.

She welcomed the AUB – Mediterraneo in Cyprus, the first satellite campus of the University located outside Lebanon.  

As she said, a rich legacy spanning over 157 years has influenced the lives of thousands of students and left its mark based on its global reputation as an academic institution.

The U.S. Ambassador to Cyprus Julie D. Fisher, expressed the United States' deep pride in the exceptional bilateral relationship with the Republic of Cyprus, characterizing it as a cornerstone for stability, prosperity, and democracy not only in the Eastern Mediterranean but also in the broader global context. The Ambassador underscored the significance of people-to-people connections between the United States and Cyprus, highlighting their foundational role in achieving shared security, prosperity, and the promotion of common values.

Furthermore, the Ambassador reaffirmed the enduring partnership between the United States and the AUB, praising the university as a regional model and a beacon of American values and educational standards.

She reiterated the US commitment to international education and its continued support for Cyprus' aspirations to become an educational hub in Europe, as well as AUB’s goal of becoming an extensive international institution.

President of AUB Fadlo R. Khuri reflected on the significance of this new chapter in AUB's history, emphasizing the careful planning and strategic vision that underpins AUB Mediterraneo.

“The steps we have taken 17 months ago to sign the agreement with the Municipality of Pafos, to lay the foundation stone in the presence of the current and previous Presidents of the Republic of Cyprus, and to inaugurate today our university with our first cohort of 45 undergraduate and 8 graduate students, are steps that I am confident will stand the test of time”, he said.

Khuri invoked the rich history of the region as the cradle of Western Civilization, the birthplace of knowledge, and a land where heroes and gods once roamed.

Khuri highlighted the pursuit of "Arête," a concept representing excellence in ancient Greece, as a central theme for AUB Mediterraneo. He noted that excellence, driven by a commitment to the greater good, is deeply rooted in AUB's history and culture. As he said the university has consistently sought to make a positive impact on society, noting the “heroic performance” of its medical centre staff during crises.

Furthermore, Khuri emphasized the economic and democratic influence of top-tier universities on their respective regions. He cited research indicating that a strong university presence is associated with pro-democratic attitudes and the diversification of economies.

He also referred to the common challenges facing Lebanon, Cyprus, and neighbouring nations, in retaining their best and brightest youth and addressing societal and economic imbalances and elements of social strife that endanger the stability of the region.

Praising the role of Pafos Mayor Phedonas Phedonos in creating the twin campus, he concluded by saying “it is time to step forward, to lead by example, to dare to not only dream but most determinedly to do”.

“The establishment of the American University of Beirut Mediterraneo is considered an opportunity to advance the educational level of our wider region,” Paphos Mayor, Phedon Phedonos, said during his address. He noted that university education has always been considered “as vital to our progress and even existence” in this “troubled region” where large numbers of people have been forced to migrate over the past century.

“The lesson of this timeless reality is that we must invest much more in education and training,” said Phedonos, who pointed out that “the university will offer diamonds of knowledge” and added that “tonight, we all celebrate the opening of a diamond mine, so to speak, one that does not carry the danger of being stolen from its owners, or lost.”

The Paphos Mayor noted that the “aim is to turn Paphos into a regional hub of university education and business activity” focusing on the fields of technology and innovation, and reminded that a public school of the Cyprus University of Technology will open in 2025, as well. He also noted that four major technology companies have moved their operations to Paphos in 2023.

(Source: CNA)