AUB Mediterraneo Celebrates Historic Opening Ceremony at New Campus in Pafos, Cyprus
Pafos, Cyprus – September 5, 2024 – The American University of Beirut – Mediterraneo (AUB Mediterraneo) proudly celebrated a historic opening ceremony on September 4, 2024, marking the start of the 2024-25 academic year and the official inauguration of its new campus in Pafos, Cyprus. The event, which was attended by His Excellency, the President of the Republic of Cyprus, Mr. Nikos Christodoulides, along with the president and trustees of the American University of Beirut, esteemed guests, faculty, students, and community members, represents a significant milestone in the American University of Beirut (AUB)’s expansion and its commitment to the region.
During the ceremony,
His Excellency, the President of the Republic of Cyprus, Mr. Nikos Christodoulides, emphasized the importance of educational collaboration in fostering regional development: “The establishment of AUB Mediterraneo in Pafos is an important step forward in our collective pursuit of excellence in education. It is a tangible expression of our shared commitment to promoting a brighter future for our countries and the region through education and cooperation.”
The
Chair of the Board of Trustees of AUB, Mr. Abdo George Kadifa, emphasized the university's mission: “At AUB Mediterraneo, we are committed to balancing technical and humanistic advancement to create the right future. Together, we will build a brighter future for our students, for Cyprus, and for the wider Mediterranean region.”
The
President of AUB, Dr. Fadlo R. Khuri, spoke about “the deep ties that have long bound the United States, Lebanon, and Cyprus, in particular, through the generations of Cypriot citizens who were educated at AUB, generations that include our admirable alumni who are here today to bear witness to this magnificent new campus.” Khuri went on to highlight the significance of AUB Mediterraneo as a hub for innovation and cultural exchange: “We are here to work in partnership with Cyprus to help educate and empower the best and brightest of Cyprus, the region, and the world, that they may help lift their societies to more abundant and more inclusive destinies.”
Mayor of Pafos Phedonas Phedonos noted that the establishment of AUB Mediterraneo “will put Pafos and Cyprus on the world map of university education and will act as an authoritative transmitter of the values and ideals of peace, coexistence, and cooperation.”
US Ambassador to Cyprus Julie Fisher spoke about AUB’s vision and the importance of the university in Pafos: “In a region often marked by turmoil, the presence of this campus is a beacon of hope and stability, demonstrating AUB’s long-term commitment to academic excellence and fostering opportunities for students across the region.”
AUB Mediterraneo Rector Wassim El Hajj spoke about the mission and values of AUB Mediterraneo: “As a twin campus of the American University of Beirut, all of us at AUB Mediterraneo are guided and inspired by the same values that inspired the founders of the American University of Beirut 158 years ago – commitment to excellence, understanding and overcoming fear of the other, always seeking to make the world a better place, especially for those less fortunate.” El Hajj also highlighted the rapid growth and international reach of AUB Mediterraneo noting that “AUB Mediterraneo’s student body had increased dramatically ‘from 53 students from 12 countries just a year ago to more than 150 students from 26 nationalities today.”
The ceremony also included a parade of current AUB Mediterraneo students, featuring one student from each of the 27 nationalities represented in the student body; a tribute to senior AUB Cypriot alumni; and a musical performance by AUB alumna Katie Economidou.
The opening ceremony on September 4 took place at AUB Mediterraneo’s new campus in Pafos that will serve as a vibrant center for academic and cultural exchange, reinforcing AUB’s values of knowledge, innovation, and service. This new chapter in the university’s history marks a significant expansion of AUB’s impact in the region and beyond.
For more information about AUB Mediterraneo, please visit
www.aubmed.ac.cy
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About the American University of Beirut – Mediterraneo
The American University of Beirut – Mediterraneo (AUB Mediterraneo) in Pafos, Cyprus, is approved by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE) as a branch campus of the American University of Beirut (AUB) in Beirut, Lebanon. AUB operates under a charter granted by the New York State Education Department (NYSED) which registers the university’s degree programs. All departments and programs at AUB Mediterraneo are accredited in Europe and Cyprus through the Cyprus Agency of Quality Assurance and Accreditation of Higher Education (CYQAA) and recognized globally.
