The establishment of the
University
of
Nicosia,
following the government of the Republic of Cyprus’ recognition of Intercollege as
a university, signals a new era for Nicosia, for Cyprus and our region. The
University of Nicosia, aspires to play a key role in helping
Cyprus become a comprehensive
international education center by attracting more students, offering broader areas
of study and increased emphasis on research. Executive President Dr.
Nicos Peristianis and
University
of
Nicosia Rector Professor Michalis Attalides
pointed to the fact that “25 years of academic excellence and hard work since
Intercollege was founded has finally been recognized by the
Cyprus government.” Both,
however, maintain that Cyprus should do more to meet the European Union’s long
standing objective of becoming the most dynamic knowledge based economy in the
world by 2010, by spending heavily on research, and at least committing 3% of GDP
to such projects. Cyprus
currently spends less than 1% of GDP on research.
The
Cyprus
Center
for European and International Affairs [formerly Research Center
– Intercollege] will continue to operate as a non profit
making think tank affiliated with the
University of
Nicosia. Approaching the 15th
anniversary since its establishment, the Center shall continue to pursue policy
research and to build on the range of specialized symposia, international
conferences, round-table discussions, seminars, and the publication of books,
policy-papers and studies.
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