CCIS Advisory Board

ANDROULLA VASSILIOU (Chair)

European Commissioner for Education, Culture, Multilingualism and Youth

Androulla Vassiliou is currently European Commissioner for Education, Culture, Multilingualism and Youth. Previously, she served as Commissioner for Health, from February 2008 to end 2009. Ms. Vassiliou studied law and international affairs in London and practiced law in Cyprus for 20 years (1968-1988). She acted as legal advisor to The Standard Chartered Bank and, later, to the Bank of Cyprus. Before her appointment to the European Commission, Ms. Vassiliou was actively involved in politics in Cyprus. She was twice elected to the Cypriot House of Representatives: in 1996 and 2001 – representing the Movement of United Democrats (affiliated to the European Liberal Democrats and Reform Party ELDR). Androulla Vassiliou was active in the field of international affairs and human rights as a President of the UN Association of Cyprus from 1978 until 1992 and as President of the World Federation of UN Associations from 1991 until 1995. She was unanimously elected Honorary President of the World Federation at the end of her term. Ms. Vassiliou was also President of the Cyprus Federation of Business and Professional Women from 1996 until 2000, Vice-President of the ELDR and chairperson of the European Liberal Women’s Network (2001-2006). From 2002 to 2008 she chaired the Board of Trustees of the Bank of Cyprus Oncology Centre in Cyprus. She is married to Dr. George Vassiliou, former Cypriot President and Chief Negotiator for Cyprus’ accession to the EU.

ARISTIDES BONANOS

Assistant Professor, Energy Research, The Cyprus Institute

Dr. Aristides Bonanos is an Assistant Professor of Energy Systems at The Cyprus Institute. He holds a BSc degree in Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering from the University of Virginia, USA and a MS and PhD in Aerospace Engineering from Virginia Tech, USA. After receiving his PhD, he was a postdoctoral scholar for two years at the California Institute of Technology, USA, where he researched mixing and combustion in supersonic flows. He is currently researching means to efficiently utilize solar energy for the simultaneous production of electricity and fresh water through seawater desalination. His research interests include design of solar thermal power systems, optimization of concentrating solar collectors, solar receivers, and thermal desalination cycles. He has authored several publications in scientific journals and is a referee for various international journals. He is currently involved in four European funded research projects on solar thermal systems.

KATHERINE CLERIDES

Presidential Commissioner, Republic of Cyprus

Katherine Clerides was born in London on 10.5.49. After completing her secondary school education at the English School in Nicosia she obtained a BSc (Hons) in Sociology from the University of London and an MA in Political Science from New York University in the United States. She subsequently studied law and qualified as a Barrister-at-Law at Gray’s Inn in London. She was elected to Parliament in 1991 and re-elected in 1996 for a second five-year term as a representative for Nicosia District. She subsequently returned to Parliament in 2004-2006 as a substitute candidate. In addition to her Parliamentary activities Ms. Clerides has been active in promoting contacts and reconciliation activities between the Greek and Turkish communities and established the Committee for Bi-communal Contacts of the Democratic Rally Party in 1999. In March 2013 she was appointed as Presidential Commissioner for Humanitarian Affairs by President Nikos Anastasiades. Her position covers the issues of the Missing, Enclaved Persons, Religious Minorities, Overseas and Repatriated Cypriots and relations with the Turkish Cypriot community. Ms. Clerides speaks English, Greek, German, French and is learning Turkish. She is married to Costas Shammas, an accountant and peace activist.

HUBERT FAUSTMANN

Associate Professor, History and Political Science, University of Nicosia; Head of the Cyprus Office, The Friedrich Ebert Foundation 

Hubert Faustmann is Associate Professor for History and Political Science at the University of Nicosia. He is also the director of the office of the German Friedrich Ebert Foundation in Cyprus. He has published extensively on the British Colonial Period in Cyprus as well as Cypriot politics, history and society since 1960. He is the editor-in-chief of the refereed journal The Cyprus Review and President of the bi-communal NGO Cyprus Academic Forum (CAF). Together with Erol Kaymak he writes the annual reports about Cyprus for the Political Data Yearbook of the European Journal of Political Research. His book publications include: as editor together with Nicos Peristianis: Britain in Cyprus. Colonialism and Post-Colonialism 1878-2006. (Mannheim/Möhnesee: Bibliopolis, 2006); as editor together with James Ker-Lindsay: The Government and Politics of Cyprus. (Oxford et al.: Peter Lang, 2008); as editor together with Andrekos Varnavas: Reunifying Cyprus: The Annan Plan and Beyond (London/New York: I.B. Tauris, 2009); as editor together with James Ker-Lindsay and Fiona Mullen: An Island in Europe. The EU and the Transformation of Cyprus (London/New York: I.B. Tauris, 2011); as editor together with Emilios Solomou: Independent Cyprus 1960-2010. Selected Readings from the Cyprus Review (Nicosia, University of Nicosia Press, 2011) and Colonial Cyprus 1878-1960. Selected Readings from the Cyprus Review (Nicosia, University of Nicosia Press, 2010); and as editor with Ayla Gurel and Gregory M. Reichenberg: Cyprus Offshore Hydrocarbons: Distribution of Wealth and Regional Politics (FES/PRIO Report 1/2012).

CHRISTINA KAILI

Project Coordinator, Mediterranean Institute for Gender Studies

Christina Kaili holds a BA in Sociology with academic distinction (highest honors) and a Minor Degree in Political Science from the Department of Social and Political Sciences from the University of Cyprus. She also holds an MA in Human Rights from the University College London. Since 2005, she has been an active volunteer member of the Cyprus Family Planning Association (CFPA) and currently participating as a Board Member working in the field of sexual and reproductive health and rights. Since 2008 Christina is employed by the Mediterranean Institute of Gender Studies (MIGS) as a researcher and project coordinator. Since 2008, she is also an active member of the Gender and Women’s Rights Working Group of the Euro-Mediterranean Human Rights Network and participated as an expert in a recent study of the European Parliament entitled “Enhancing EU Action to Support Universal Standards for Women’s Rights during Democratic Transitions”. Additionally, Christina is on the Claims Reviewing Committee of the Advertisement Monitoring Authority and the national coordinator of the END FGM European Campaign led by Amnesty International. Christina is a PhD candidate in the Sociology program of the University of Cyprus.

PETROS KAREKLAS

Former Permanent Secretary in various ministries; Mayor of Kythrea

Dr. Petros M. Kareklas holds a Diplom-Volkswirt (equ. MSc Econ.) from Albert Ludwigs University of Freiburg, an MA in Economics, and a PhD in Economics from the University of South Carolina. Regarding his professional experience, he served for many years in the Cyprus Public Service and especially as Permanent Secretary in various Ministries (Education and Culture, Defence, Justice and Public Order). He also worked for more than a decade as Director of the Economic and Industry Department of the Cyprus Employers and Industrialists Federation in the private sector. He was honored by the President of France, Nicholas Sarkozy, with the Award of the Grade “DE CHEVALIER DANS L’ ORDRE DE LA LÉGION D’ HONNEUR” (2011), in recognition of exceptional efforts to strengthen the ties between Cyprus and France. He also received the OFFICER’S CROSS OF THE ORDER OF MERIT (First Class) of the F.R. of Germany (1989) for his exceptional services in promoting Cypriot-German relations. Additionally, he was recognized as “Person of the Year 1999 in Cyprus” concerning Quality Assurance (Eco-Q). Since January 2012 he is the elected Mayor of the Kythrea Municipality.

HANS RUEDIGER KAUFMANN

Professor, Management and MIS, University of Nicosia

Hans Ruediger Kaufmann completed his PhD in 1997 and taught in the Department of Retailing and Marketing at Manchester Metropolitan University. He worked in Budapest as Course Director for an organization affiliated with the Chartered Institute of Marketing, and was an Assistant Professor in Marketing, and consultant at the International Management Centre. He is Director of the International Consulting Dr. Kaufmann. From 2000 until 2006, he worked for the University of Liechtenstein in the Institutes of Finance and Entrepreneurship. He has been employed at the University of Nicosia in the Department of Management & MIS since October 2006 and was recently ranked Full Professor. He was President (2007-2009) of the international research network on consumer behaviour, CIRCLE. Furthermore, he is a launching member, Vice-President and Research Co-ordinator of the EuroMed Research Business Institute. In 2012, Rudi was elected into the Board of the AMA Global Marketing SIG as Vice Chair Communications. He is on the editorial board for a variety of journals. He is author/editor of 8 books (mainly in the field of Consumer Behaviour and Marketing) and 4 Electronic Books. In addition, he is Visiting Professor at the International Business School at Vilnius University and Adjunct Professor of the University of Vitez.

ERATO KOZAKOU−MARCOULLIS

Former Minister of Foreign Affairs, Republic of Cyprus

Dr. Erato Kozakou−Marcoullis served as Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Cyprus from August 2011 until February 2013 and from July 2007 to February 2008. She also served as Minister of Communications and Works from March 2010 to  August 2011. From May 2008 to March 2010, Dr. Marcoullis was Head of the Working Group on Property, in the UN−sponsored negotiations between the Greek and Turkish Cypriot communities. During 2003−2007, Dr. Marcoullis served as Director of the Cyprus Question and the EU−Turkey Affairs Division at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. She was also accredited as Ambassador to Lebanon and Jordan with residence in Nicosia, from 2005 to 2007. From 1998-2003 she served as Ambassador of Cyprus to the United States of America, with concurrent accreditation as High Commissioner to Canada, Guyana, and Jamaica and as Ambassador to Brazil. She was also accredited to the World Bank, the IMF, ICAO and the Organization of American States. From 1996 to 1998 Dr. Marcoullis served as Ambassador to Sweden with concurrent accreditation to Finland, Norway, Denmark, Iceland, Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania.
Dr. Erato Kozakou-Marcoullis holds degrees in Law and Public Law/Political Science from the University of Athens, as well as a Licentiate (Ph.D.) of Social Sciences from the University of Helsinki. She is married to Dr. George Marcoullis, Oncologist/Haematologist, and Professor of Medicine. They have a son, Panos Marcoullis, MSIST, MSPM.

NICOS PERISTIANIS

President of the Council, University of Nicosia

Dr. Nicos Peristianis studied Sociology with Economics at the University of Kent, UK and earned a Master’s degree in Education (M.Ed.) from Trenton State, USA. He holds a Doctorate in Sociology from Middlesex University, UK. Professionally, he is one of the founders of Intercollege (1980) and, subsequently, of the University of Nicosia (2007). He is presently the President of the Council of the University of Nicosia, while he has also served as President of the Cyprus Sociological Association between 1996 and 2009. Dr. Peristianis is Managing Editor of The Cyprus Review, a biannual refereed journal, which focuses on social, economic and political issues pertinent to Cyprus. He co-edited the books Divided Cyprus: Modernity, History, and an Island in Conflict (Indiana University Press, 2006) and Britain in Cyprus: Colonialism and Post-Colonialism (Bibliopolis, 2006), while he is co-author of the first Cyprus Human Development Report on Youth in Cyprus: Aspirations, Lifestyles and Empowerment (University of Nicosia, 2009). His research interests include nationalism, ethnic conflict, and identity formation.

EMILIOS SOLOMOU

Executive  Vice President for Administration, University of Nicosia

Dr. Emilios Solomou is the Executive Vice President for Administration of the University of Nicosia and a faculty member teaching in the Departments of Education and European Studies and International Relations. He started his career at the English School Nicosia where he served as a History Teacher, Head of the History Department, Senior Teacher, Deputy Head Teacher and Acting Head Teacher. Since 2000 he has been teaching Cyprus History on the M.A. in International Relations Programme, and Cyprus History as well as History Teaching Methodology on the B.A. in the Primary Education programme at the University of Nicosia. He has participated in many seminars and conferences on the Theory, Methodology and Teaching of History. He has also contributed to a number of European projects with emphasis on ethnicity and co-operation. Emilios Solomou is the President of the Committee of Cultural Events of the Unesco Chair, a Fellow of the Historical Association of Great Britain and a member of the Historical Association of the United States. In addition he is a member of the Board of the Cyprus Historical Association, the Board of the Mass Media Institute (IMME) as he has been an active member of many Professional Associations and Organisations in Cyprus, the U.K and the USA.