This past year, UNIC Health celebrated the retirement of two outstanding academics, Professor Peter McCrorie and Professor Peter Karayiannis. Their dedication and influence have left a lasting mark on our Medical and Veterinary Schools and the wider medical community. To honour their many contributions, both were presented with honorary degrees during the 2025 Graduation Ceremony. Additionally, we hosted a special farewell gathering where colleagues came together to celebrate their remarkable careers, share cherished memories, and present them with a commemorative gift as a token of our appreciation and gratitude for their years of dedicated service.

Professor Peter McCrorie has made significant contributions to medical education in the United Kingdom and internationally. As an early advocate of graduate-entry medical education in the UK, he helped establish the first such programme at St George’s, University of London, where he served as Director of the MBBS Graduate Entry Programme and Head of the Centre for Medical and Healthcare Education.

His work with the UK’s General Medical Council (GMC) has supported the development of medical education standards nationwide. Since 2011, Professor McCrorie has contributed substantially to the University of Nicosia Medical School, serving as Academic Lead for Staff Development. His guidance has supported the development of the Doctor of Medicine undergraduate and graduate entry-programmes, and the Master’s programmes in Family Medicine and Public Health. Additionally, he has led the assessment strategy for the MBBS and the MD Graduate-entry programmes and established the personal tutoring system across all programmes.

The Honorary Doctorate bestowed upon Professor Peter McCrorie recognised his sustained contribution to medical education worldwide, his valuable role in developing the University of Nicosia Medical School, and his commitment to enhancing healthcare professional education.

Professor Peter Karayiannis has established himself as a leading authority in Microbiology and Molecular Virology during a distinguished career spanning more than 40 years. His research has significantly advanced our understanding of viral hepatitis, particularly hepatitis B, C, and D viruses, contributing valuable insights into viral pathogenesis, diagnostics, and treatment approaches. With over 230 peer-reviewed publications and an h-index of 55, his research has earned him recognition among the world’s most cited scientists.

At Imperial College London, where he held several academic positions, Professor Karayiannis conducted important research on viral hepatitis and trained numerous scientists. His teaching excellence was acknowledged with the Award for Excellence in Teaching from Imperial College. At the University of Nicosia Medical School, he played a key role in developing the six-year undergraduate Doctor of Medicine programme, ensuring its alignment with international standards, as well as the PhD programme. Through his active participation in various School committees, he has helped shape educational policies and strengthen the curriculum. His expertise has been particularly valuable in developing the Medical School’s research capabilities and establishing collaborative partnerships with international institutions.

The Honorary Doctorate bestowed upon Professor Peter Karayiannis recognised his significant contributions to medical virology, his commitment to advancing public health, his role in developing medical education in Cyprus, and his service to the international scientific community.