Rector Pouyioutas: We are assuming a leading role in transforming Cyprus into an International Hub for Higher Education
University of Nicosia – Partner in Consortia Proposing the Creation of “European Universities”
The Rector of the University of Nicosia, Professor Philippos Pouyioutas, highlighted the University’s recent international recognition, stemming from its participation in two university consortia/networks that have submitted proposals for the creation of “European Universities”. The Rector connected this to President Emmanuel Macron’s speech at the University of Sorbonne on 26 September 2017, during which Macron outlined his vision for the European Union and its future, and proposed the creation of “European Universities”, which were recently put into effect by the European Commission.
The first of the two proposals the Rector referred to concerns the creation of the European University UNIQUE – University for New Interdisciplinary Qualification and Education. The coordinator of the joint venture is the University of Applied Arts Vienna, and, in addition to the University of Nicosia, the consortia partner universities are: Brno University of Technology, University of Lapland, University of the Peloponnese. Three associated partners namely, European Forum Alpbach, Global Campus of Human Rights and ZKM | Center for Art and Media Karlsruhe participate in the consortium.
The second proposal concerns the creation of the European University IngEniUm – Inter-university Campus of Bio-Sciences and Engineering. The consortium submitting the proposal is coordinated by the University of Oviedo, while the other three partners are the University of Nicosia, Karlsruhe University of Applied Sciences, and the University of Pecs Hungary.
The EU has set aside EUR 60,000,000 for this pilot project within its ERASMUS+ programme, the first twelve European Universities of which should be selected by summer 2019. The EU’s long-term aim is to build at least twenty European Universities by 2024 in the context of the European Education Area. The call has resulted in applications from 54 alliances, involving more than 300 higher education institutions from 31 European countries including all EU Member States.
As per the official website (https://eacea.ec.europa.eu/erasmus-plus/actions/key-action-2-european-universities_en),
“ ‘European Universities’ aim to establish:
- A shared, integrated, long-term joint strategy for education with, where possible, links to research and innovation and society at large
- A European higher education inter-university ‘campus’ offering curricula where students can experience mobility at all study levels
- European knowledge-creating teams addressing together societal challenges in a multi-disciplinary approach.”
Rector Pouyioutas said he is proud of the growing international repute of the University, which was an important criterion in joining the two consortia. He underscored that Cyprus is already emerging as an international hub for quality higher education, with the University of Nicosia undeniably assuming a leading role in achieving this strategic objective.
