30/09/2013
The first graduation ceremony of the Neapolis University of Pafos was successfully held on Friday the 27th of September 2013 at the Paphos Ancient Odeon. In the presence of the Minister of Education and Culture Mr. Kyriacos Kenevezos and numerous officials and public, the 207 graduates received their degrees in a solemn ceremony.
The Board Chairman of the University Council Mr. Michael Leptos, congratulated the graduates on their success and wished them all the best for the future, he thanked all those who supported the effort to create an academic institution and to all those who worked hard for the success of a reliable foundation. Concluding, Mr. Leptos said that in return for the confidence shown by the public, Neapolis University of Pafos, will continue its journey with even more targets, extending to other areas of knowledge, in order to succeed and become a major research center in the Eastern Mediterranean.
The Minister of Education and Culture Mr.Kyriakos Kenevezos, assured that the state will support all Neapolis efforts as it has comprehended the significance role and expansion of the town’s and Pafos district only University. Furthermore, following his compliments to the Management, the academic team and the University’s staff of their systematic job, he then turned to the graduates emphasizing to them “To open their sails for new challenges” taking in consideration the experience of their education. “Alongside everyone support, you may share with them the happiness of earning this degree. I warmly congratulate you for your graduation and I wish you every success in this new stage of your life”.
During his greeting the University’s Rector, Professor Elias Denenis addressing the first graduates of Neapolis, noted them that “you will always have a special role in the University’s history and our hearts, mainly because you trusted a new University, probably for the execution of the most difficult academic role, to actually take University graduates and turn them into distinctive scientists with the highest level of knowledge and research skills”.
The honorable Ambassador of China in Nicosia Liu Xinsheng also gave his own greetings, who at the same time expressed his delight that the small town of Pafos has managed to establish its own University and wished that in the future there will be an exchange of students between the Universities of Cyprus and China. Yet, Alexei Rogalev, who is responsible for the cultural and educational matters of the Russian Embassy in Cyprus, also congratulated the graduates as well as their parents because as he mentioned “this achievement was succeed together with their youngsters”.
During the graduation ceremony the Batoness Betty Boothroyd, former speaker of the House of Commons was also present.
The graduation was followed by a performance with Soprano Chariklia Strouthou, with Neofitos Evangelou who played the Piano while Marios Stylianou played the Cello.
Photo: From the first graduations of the NUP.
