EU Scholarship programme celebrates the graduation of its scholars

To mark the graduation of 12 scholars of the EU Scholarship Programme at the United World Colleges (UWC), the latter organised, in collaboration with the European Commission, a ceremony to honour and recognise the 2022-2024 graduates attended by current scholars and graduates of the programme, parents, community members and stakeholders of the programme.

This graduation marked a significant milestone, celebrating the hard work and growth of the scholars, but also the EU’s efforts in building bridges between the Greek and Turkish Cypriot communities, a press release said.

Stefan Simosas, Head of Cooperation of the Cyprus Settlement Support Unit said that the experience of studying together with young people from the other Cypriot community and from many other countries has shown that students have a lot in common and that together they can build bridges and overcome differences that still affect our societies.

Reflecting on the programme, Michael Johnson, Chair of UWC Cyprus, encouraged the scholars to always carry within the flame of UWC’s mission, thus to unite people for peace and a sustainable future.

In their speeches, graduating students Pavlina Solomou and Şerife Su Mehmetalioğulları said that they are graduating with a mission, to be advocates for peace, justice, and unity and learned what coexistence through conflict looks like.

The EU Scholarship programme for Cypriot youth was launched in 2019, and so far, has granted 64 scholarships to Cypriot students to attend the International Baccalaureate at UWC schools in Europe (UWC Adriatic, UWC Maastricht, UWC Mostar, and UWC Robert Bosch College).

The EU Scholarship Programme for Cypriot Youth at UWC is funded by the Aid Programme for the Turkish Cypriot community as a confidence building and reconciliation measure, the press release noted.

(Source: CNA)