A public opinion survey conducted by ALCO clearly reflects Cypriot society’s views on the establishment of University branches by foreign Institutions, its attitude towards the potential creation of a branch of the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, as well as its overall perception of our University.
Almost the entire Cypriot population (88%) believes that the establishment of foreign University branches benefits both the quality of Higher Education and the island’s economy. Additionally, an almost unanimous majority (87%) expresses a positive attitude towards the creation of a branch of a Greek University in Cyprus.
Cypriot society holds an impressively positive view of the University of Athens and is overwhelmingly supportive (87%) of the idea of opening a branch on the island. It is important to note that the University is appreciated not only for its history and renown (85%) but also for the quality of its academic programmes (72%), the high prestige of its degrees (76%), and, to a somewhat lesser but still meaningful extent (61%), the reputation of its teaching staff.
Overall, the findings point to a particularly favourable environment for establishing a Cyprus branch of the University of Athens—an environment shaped on the one hand by the widespread positive perception of foreign University branches (a view also grounded in the lived experience of many Cypriots) and on the other by the fairly strong reputation of the University of Athens itself.
This social climate offers a solid basis for the University of Athens to proceed with this endeavour.
Within the above context, the Rector of the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Professor Gerasimos Siasos, said: ‘The National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, the oldest University in South-Eastern Europe, prioritizes internationalization and extroversion. Recently, we announced new bilateral agreements and partnerships with Universities in the United States (e.g., Harvard University, Yale University, etc.), Europe (e.g., Sorbonne Université), and Asia. The establishment of branch campuses abroad represents the next important step in our internationalization journey. A decision by the University Senate to initiate preliminary procedures for opening and operating a branch campus in Cyprus has brought us closer to achieving this goal. The National and Kapodistrian University of Athens is a globally recognized Institution, with Schools and Departments placed high in international University rankings. Beyond the obvious national connotations, establishing a branch campus in Cyprus will support our growth by serving as a bridge for building an international network of collaborations. Moreover, it will act as a distinguished ambassador of contemporary Greece abroad. This branch campus will offer significant educational opportunities for the island’s youth while also attracting students from Asia and Africa. We are particularly pleased that, according to the survey results, Cypriot society overwhelmingly supports the establishment of our University’s branch on the island.’
Click here to view the survey results:
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