17 SUNDAY MAIL • July 31, 2016 special report Higher Education A look at tertiary level choices in Cyprus

More focus given to CVs As the economic climate in Cyprus has changed so has what students expect to gain from a local tertiary education. Annette Chrysostomou looks at how what was formerly a little-used service is helping to shape people’s futures

tudent affairs have of the main reasons for this job done until we deliver At the European Cyprus a long tradition of is the economic situation. the student to the market. University a plethora of helping students in In recent years the local “We are unique as we have student activities help the Sa number of ways, students have increasingly career surveys dating back students prepare for the such as assisting students expressed interest in the to 1991, for example we job. Different kinds of in- from abroad in adjusting to internships and volunteer know which percentage of ternships are offered, and life in Cyprus and fi nding opportunities the univer- graduates found employ- simulation exercises are housing. In many private sity has to offer, something ment in which destina- used. For example, stu- universities, international that was rare in the past. tion.” dents may be graded on students were the ones “Some of them even said ‘I The approach is multilat- how they would start a most interested in what don’t need a CV, my father eral, she explained. Where- business and manage it the services had to offer, will fi nd me a job’. Now as in the past student af- successfully. and they, having no home they want a CV from year fairs might help a student Frederick University stu- base, were also the ones one,” Thrassou added. writing a CV, there is now dent services consider that who tended to join the The European Cyprus much more than that. the most important thing clubs and societies of the University also sees its role Technology helps. The for a student is the begin- institutions. changing due to the job university has a platform ning. This is of utmost Nowadays there is also an climate. The head of the similar to Linkedin, which importance for both their increasing number of ways student affairs Eleni Mar- links over 2,000 businesses academic and personal in which the universities kantoni explained that the in Cyprus and hundreds of progress, director of stud- aid local students. most important service businesses abroad with the ies and student welfare ser- “Before mainly the in- is nowadays centered on students. vice Natassa Frederickou ternational students used helping students to fi nd a As well, the more than stressed. A free voluntary course tion every day. A number the student affairs,” Myria job and get a career. “Un- 5,000 alumni are an impor- That’s why the services to help students decide of activities and tests are Thrassou, head of student der present labour and tant part of a mentor sys- spend some time and ef- on this is an offer many carried out to help the stu- affairs at the University of economic conditions this is tem as well as providing fort to help the students to take up. For one week in dents understand about Nicosia agreed. Now, she totally different now,” she jobs for those who gradu- fi nd the right programme the summer the new stu- said, this has changed. One said, “we don’t consider the ate. of study. dents come to the institu- TURN TO PAGE 26 18 HigherEducation July 31, 2016 • SUNDAY MAIL 19 SUNDAY MAIL • July 31, 2016 HigherEducation 20 HigherEducation July 31, 2016 • SUNDAY MAIL Your dream... your career! Additional incentives for fi nancial aid and scholarships plus Long Distance Postgraduate programmes of study now available at Neapolis University Pafos

NROLLING at Neapolis campus life with excellent accom- Public Administration age students to develop skills of various ways of payment of the University Pafos enters modation facilities Educational Leadership and Man- research and the ability to learn tuition fees, as well as scholarships you into a high standard • Student clubs agement autonomously towards achieving and discounts with various criteria Eacademic environment of • Support team for all student re- Public Health Care Management academic excellence. (e.g. high school-leaving certifi cate undergraduate and postgradu- quirements Educational Psychology grade, excellence in sports activi- ate studies in a stimulating and • Modern premises and facilities The vision of the University is to Research ties, funding diffi culties, members enjoyable environment. Students • Accessible and frequent bus ser- create a dynamic learning environ- Neapolis University Pafos aims to of families with many children, can develop their academic and vices connecting the town and all ment focused upon the student, to support and promote the educa- etc.). personal skills in an international cities become a unique centre for educa- tional and research activities of setting. With Paphos being the Eu- Neapolis University and its pro- tion to diffuse new knowledge, en- the Institution and to contribute Financial support ropean Capital of Culture for 2017, grammes are fully accredited by gage in research and provide stu- to the overall spiritual and cultur- Neapolis University provides fi nan- the city has become even busier the Ministry of Education. As a re- dents with knowledge and skills al development of the University cial support based on academic or with exciting events and creative sult of the evaluation and accredi- for successful careers. community. NUP academics are non-academic criteria for students activities and is attracting people tation the status and standard of members of international research to continue their studies at the from all around the world. the University and its degree pro- Academic excellence centres and participate in con- University. Neapolis University has Neapolis is ideally located in the grammes is confi rmed, both within The learning procedure at NUP ferences all over the world, while enacted the criteria and the proce- center of Paphos and only a few Cyprus and overseas, and it gives is based on the quality of the their papers are well received by dures to ensure fair treatment for minutes from the beautiful coast. an indication that Neapolis Uni- academic staff as well as on the the international academic com- all applicants. (Visit the website to It contains its own convenient and versity is a high quality provider of use of modern learning technol- munity. NUP has launched the download an application form for comfortable campus that includes tertiary education. ogy, which creates an environment following Research Centres: Cen- fi nancial support). living facilities for students, class- The following programmes are that enhances effi ciency in the tre for International Tourism Re- rooms, a fully functioning library, available: educational procedure. NUP has search, Centre of Environmental Admissions a big restaurant/student lobby, created an academic environment Research, Counselling Centre for The university admits students ir- two swimming pools, a gym and Undergraduate: that values and promotes free, ac- Psychological Support and Evalu- respective of nationality, race, reli- a tennis court. There is free Wi- Business Administration tive and original intellectual in- ation gion, or gender, provided that they Fi throughout the entire campus Accounting, Banking & Finance quiry. NUP academics have a long meet the predefi ned admission cri- and its facilities are unique among Economics teaching and research activity in Fees and scholarships teria of each programme of study. Cypriot and Greek universities, Law their area of interest and encour- The university offers students The general admission criteria usually found in big cities, allow- Psychology are based on the type and quality ing its students the distinctive ex- Real Estate of previous studies, the grade ob- perience of studying and living in Applied Informatics tained in previous studies, and the an exclusive setting. Moreover, it Architecture suitability of the candidate for the is part of the Leptos Group, one Landscape Architecture requested programme of study. of the biggest and most dynamic companies on the island. Postgraduate: Entry Requirements The biggest advantage of Neapolis MBA • Diploma awarded by an accred- is the quality and dedication of its Banking, Investment & Finance ited educational institution of sec- faculty, most of whom have vast Public Administration ondary education teaching experience and research Educational Leadership and Man- • Good knowledge of the Eng- in European and Greek Universi- agement lish language (GCSE or IELTS or ties. Based on such faculty and an Public Health Care Management TOEFL CERTIFICATES) ambitious strategy, it has quickly European Governance become one of the best private International & European Busi- NEAPOLIS UNIVERSITY PAFOS universities in Cyprus. ness Law Educational Psychology 2 Danais Avenue, 8042 Pafos, Cyprus Student benefi ts at Neapolis Counselling Psychology T: +357 2684 3300 / E: [email protected] University Pafos: Theology Url: www.nup.ac.cy • High standard education History www.facebook.com/NeapolisUniversity • Academically experienced and Real Estate dedicated faculty Information Systems www.youtube.com/user/nupaccy • Stimulating and enjoyable envi- Construction Management www.linkedin.com/company/neapolis- ronment where students develop Landscape Architecture university-pafos academic and personal skills in an www.twitter.com/nupac international setting Distance Learning Postgraduate: • Convenient and comfortable MBA 21 SUNDAY MAIL • July 31, 2016 HigherEducation

Your Dream.. your Career!

PROGRAMMES OF STUDY Undergraduate Postgraduate Distance Learning

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NEAPOLIS UNIVERSITY PAFOS 2 DANAES AVENUE, 8042 PAFOS CYPRUS Τ: +357 26843300 / [email protected] 22 HigherEducation July 31, 2016 • SUNDAY MAIL

Pioneering local medical training in partnership with global healthcare leaders HE University of Nico- sia started the coun- try’s fi rst Medical TSchool in 2011 by offer- ing the St George’s, Universi- ty of London medical degree. It is the only Medical School in Southern Europe that has been accredited by an inter- national organisation - the UK General Medical Coun- cil, which quality assured the St George’s programme. It is also the only Medical School in Cyprus to have graduated doctors, with its fi rst two cohorts of graduates now practicing in the UK, the US, Canada, Europe, Israel and Lebanon. Thanks to the success of the partnership with St George’s and to the experi- ence gained through this collaboration, the Medical School expanded rapidly in the past few years, enrich- ing its programmes of study and attracting students from around the world, with its total number of medical students expected to reach Medicine awarded by the abroad, such as hospitals in 600 by October. The Medical University of Nicosia and St the USA (Swedish Covenant School currently offers three George’s, University of Lon- Hospital in Chicago, South- degrees: don, with the opportunity ampton Hospital in New to become an International York, Westchester Hospital The St George’s, Univer- Member of the UK Royal in Miami, Shriners Hospital sity of London Bachelor in College of General Practi- for Children in Massachu- Medicine and Bachelor in tioners. It is designed for setts, Ponce Health Sciences Surgery (MBBS), a four-year physicians working as family University Hospital in Puerto graduate-entry British medi- doctors or as specialists in Rico), in Israel (Sheba Medi- cal degree that is quality internal medicine, paediat- cal Centre at Tel Hashomer) assured by the UK General rics or gynaecology and who and in Cyprus (Nicosia Gen- Medical Council. This degree are interested in upgrading eral Hospital and Limassol is awarded by St George’s, their knowledge and skills – General Hospital). University of London. an ideal preparation for the As part of its mission to en- key role that such clinicians hance healthcare, continu- A Doctor of Medicine (MD) will play in the future Nation- ing medical education and six-year undergraduate en- al Health System of Cyprus. research in Cyprus and the try degree awarded by the The success of the Uni- region, the Medical School University of Nicosia. The versity of Nicosia Medical has also partnered with the programme uses a num- School, which has attracted Royal College of Surgeons ber of innovative teaching talented students from more of England, serving as their methods, and students gain than 23 countries across regional testing centre for clinical experience as early North America, Europe, the Southern Europe and the as their second year. Clinical Middle East and Australa- Middle East. placements in Years fi ve and sia, is based on a number of six are at teaching hospitals key factors: its international, For more information in Cyprus, and students have renowned faculty; its innova- on any of the degrees the option to spend a six- tive curricula with early clini- week elective in the United cal exposure; its purpose- offered by the University States during their fi nal year. built, high-tech facilities; and of Nicosia Medical School, its strong partnerships with call 22-471900 or visit A Postgraduate Diploma institutions that provide www.med.unic.ac.cy and Masters in Family clinical training locally and 23 SUNDAY MAIL • July 31, 2016 HigherEducation 24 HigherEducation July 31, 2016 • SUNDAY MAIL

Frederick University has a 50 year presence in the forefront education sector in Cyprus, systematically contributing to the development and advancement of higher education. Frederick University is the only university in Cyprus with license to operate in two cities – Nicosia and Limassol. Its License of Operation WAS
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accredited and fully recognized programs of study which cover a wide spectrum of academic domains and !À5NIVERSITYÀWHICH from the start cutting edge areas, including engineering, sciences, nurturesÀANDÀsupportsÀYOURÀDREAMSÀ the arts, education, humanities, health sciences and ANDÀleads youÀTOWARDSÀREACHINGÀTHEM architecture. Furthermore, from the new academic year 10 new innovative programs of study at undergraduate and postgraduate level will be added to the university both in Nicosia and Limassol.

RECOGNITION AND DISTINCTIONS

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RESEARCH AND INNOVATION

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NICOSIAʬ!  Ň304(::63ʬ!  ,! [email protected] www.frederick.ac.cy Frederick University Cyprus 26 HigherEducation July 31, 2016 • SUNDAY MAIL More focus on CVs as climate changes continued from page 17 ceive free personal tutori- als. Mature students tutor their personality. Next, others much as Frederick they learn about different does, and the students who jobs and the jobs are then do the tutoring are espe- matched with the personal- cially trained to do so with ity whereupon the student the help of the academics chooses the programme of responsible for the pro- study most suited. gramme who know what The initial assistance at the priorities should be. Frederick continues into This involves all the the fi rst semester. A special stakeholders, with stu- course has been designed dents seeking help but also to help the new students the lecturers and heads of deal with the transition departments making sug- answers to all their ques- lems and refer students university initially had the ty to use social media from from high school to univer- gestions. The tutors get tions,” she said. With the to counselling services or advantage of understand- the beginning of their ex- sity addressing both aca- scholarships as a reward knowledge coming from even outside professionals ing all the student services istence student affairs have demic and practical mat- for their work and a certifi - the close contact student when necessary. as they had access to the consequently established a ters. cate which can be useful services can pick up prob- Established in 2012, the UK resources. However, ac- good way of communicat- Another thing which for their CV. It is another cording to Christou it has ing with the students who works well is a peer tutor- sign of the changing times been a challenge to match all got used to this form of ing centre. Strong students that such scholarships and the UK services to the communication. are employed to help the certifi cates are much cov- Strong students are employed to Cyprus context. Another Looking at all of the ser- weaker ones who may be eted. challenge was the location, vices, is there a best ap- too shy to approach a lec- Effi e Christou from as there was no local public proach? Certainly all give turer but feel more com- UCLan believes the help the weaker ones who may transport available when the impression that they fortable with their peers. strength of their student the university was built are continuously adapt- The University of Nicosia services lies in their pasto- and the university was not ing to new economic chal- also has peer tutoring sys- ral care. “We started with be too shy to approach a lecturer well known at the time. lenges and technological tem in the form of a stu- small numbers, and this The student affairs de- advantages and much has dent success centre which gave us an opportunity to but feel more comfortable with partment also mentions changed from the days Myria Thrassou, the head get to know the students the changing use of tech- when student affairs was of the department, claims and we made the stu- nology. UCLan works ex- a service mainly for a mi- is their biggest success. At dents aware that they can their peers tensively with social media. nority of international stu- the centre the students re- trust us and they will get As they had the opportuni- dents. Public higher education within reach at Open University of Cyprus

OPEN University of Cyprus (OUC) is a public Higher Education Insti- tution dedicated entirely to open and distance education. OUC opens up new horizons in higher education to those wishing to study, overcoming the ‘limitations’ of conventional classroom educa- tion, offering fl exibility, a variety ates on a modular system and degree with Frederick University). of choices, and open access to a degrees are obtained through the range of accredited, interdiscipli- accumulation of ECTS credits. To Why choose Open University of nary, career-oriented bachelors, obtain a bachelors degree, stu- Cyprus: masters and doctoral level pro- dents must complete 240 ECTS • For the opportunity to study at a grammes. credits (representing four academ- European public university. At OUC, there is no ‘one size fi ts ic years for full-time students), • Because degrees awarded by all’ approach. The University’s while to attain Masters degrees, OUC are equivalent to any other fl exible educational methodology students must complete 90-120 accredited university worldwide, supports people’s need for contin- ECTS (translating to three to four regardless of the educational uous enhancement of their qualifi - academic semesters for full-time methodology used - conventional cations and personal/professional students). or not. advancement, allowing students three faculties: the faculty of Hu- and from across the world. The main language of instruc- • For its affordable, high quality, to tailor their own educational manities and Social Sciences; the Distance education differs from tion at Open University of Cy- distance learning undergraduate path, irrespective of age, time, lo- faculty of Pure and Applied Sci- conventional classroom-based prus is Greek. Aiming to attract and postgraduate (Master and cation or life circumstances. ences; and the faculty of Econom- education, mainly because it al- foreign students, OUC also offers PhD) programmes, accredited by Since its establishment in 2002 and ics and Management. lows students to complete their the following Masters degree pro- Cypriot and European competent launching of its fi rst programmes Open University of Cyprus is com- studies without physically at- grammes in English: authorities. of study in 2006, OUC continues to mitted to opening up education tending scheduled lectures. Master of Business Administra- • For the fl exibility and wide range grow steadily. With an enrolment to all, offering an outstanding OUC’s main educational tool is tion (MBA). of choices, enabling you to fi t your of approximately 5,000 students, teaching and learning experience the eLearning Platform – eClass Cognitive Systems (joint degree studies around personal and pro- OUC is the largest university of and unrivalled links with the busi- - that facilitates online teach- with University of Cyprus, pending fessional commitments. Cyprus in terms of postgraduate ness world. OUC aims to estab- ing and learning, allowing the evaluation by the Cypriot National • For the user-friendly eLearning students, while approximately lish itself as a leading distance establishment of virtual class- Agency of Quality Assurance and Platform and multi-format edu- 2,600 people have already gradu- education university with an in- rooms, and which is equipped Accreditation in Higher Educa- cational material that provide a ated with an OUC degree. ternational presence and recogni- with real-time and asynchronous tion). seamless learning experience. For the 2016-2017 academic year, tion, mainly in the broader area collaboration tools. At the same Enterprise Risk Management • For the strong and continuous Open University of Cyprus offers of south-eastern Europe and the time, learning experience is com- (joint degree with Hellenic Open academic support provided by three undergraduate programmes Mediterranean. To this end, the plemented by group tutorials, University). OUC’s experienced academic staff. and 24 Masters programmes (19 university offers diverse high qual- scheduled throughout the aca- International Hospitality and • For the active online interaction in Greek, fi ve in English), as well ity programmes of study in ‘clas- demic year, which are organised Tourism Management (joint de- with fellow students, faculty and as PhD positions in a wide range sical’ and contemporary scientifi c with physical presence, or con- gree with Cyprus University of tutors, irrespective of location. of research areas. All programmes fi elds in both Greek and English, ducted virtually on eClass. Technology). are organised by the University’s attracting students both locally Open University of Cyprus oper- Sustainable Energy Systems (joint Learn more at www.ouc.ac.cy 27 SUNDAY MAIL • July 31, 2016 HigherEducation New chances, new courses Private universities on the island are constantly adding new programmes as the world of work around us changes. Annette Chrysostomou looks at what is new

rivate universities in Cyprus continue The discovery of offshore gas to offer traditional led to a range of courses Psubjects but are also on the constant look- out for new opportunities, introducing programmes in recent years that refl ect the world we live in. Some of them started because of new developments, such as the discovery of gas fi elds off the coast of Cyprus and changing technology, oth- ers simply exploit market niches. The discovery of gas trig- gered the universities to of- fer oil and gas studies and programmes are still going strong. Four years ago, the Uni- such as defence, intelligence more demanding custom- Yet another new one is versity of Nicosia (UNic) and healthcare. ers. Companies are more fo- Civil and Environmental was the fi rst to offer a BSc Head of the School of Sci- cused on the production of Engineering. Its environ- in Energy, Oil and Gas Man- ences at UCLan Irene Poly- video games because there mental angle is new, as this agement. Although other carpou explained that this are many games now and programme not only cov- universities have followed, is the way the future lies. customers compare more ers the design, construc- programme coordinator “More sensitive information than just the game; they tion and maintenance of Marios Valiantis points out is shared every day,” she see the whole experience so technical projects, but also that UNic’s bachelors pro- stressed. more specialised people are environmental and sustain- gramme stands apart from The programme includes hired to design the games. able development and risks the rest. “We are teaching areas such as cyber warfare Also it’s not just about play- such as earthquakes, fi res general business courses so ‘The Cypriot and Greek public and defence, ethical hacking ing but games are used in and climate change. This graduates can run any kind and network forensics with other sectors such as edu- opens the way for students of business, and also spe- the aim of equipping people cation and training as well,” to become not only civil en- cialised courses so they can sector is very dynamic, with the knowledge required Polycarpou said. gineers, but also leads to a understand enough to run to design secure networks. In addition to Game De- potential career as environ- an oil and gas fi rm. They revolutionary changes take place. Typically, cybersecurity signing and Development, mental engineers or water will take a course in petro- professionals can be em- the European University resources managers. leum geology, for example, ployed by telecommuni- Cyprus added Pharmacol- A very different fi eld of so when a geologist comes Now there is a call for strategic cation, IT and technology ogy and Biological Sciences. study at the University of to them with a report they companies, network opera- There is also a Masters in Nicosia has also been in- know enough to make an in- planning linked with the need to tors and network equipment Midwifery. New programmes troduced due to changing formed business decision,” vendors, consultancy agen- are chosen after an extensive times, a Masters in Pub- he said. cies and government de- feasibility study. “We enrich lic Administration (MPA). The other thing that is im- follow a budget’ partments, as well as any the programmes every year “The Cypriot and Greek portant today, he continued, other organisation which after research we have done,” public sector is very dynam- is “we make students under- needs to protect its IT infra- the Vice Director of Academ- ic, revolutionary changes stand that energy and the a lot of students who study which not only teaches the structure and operations. ic Affairs said. “We take into take place. Now there is a environment go together computing, and we need to many facets of digital cur- The European University account our students from call for strategic planning and that the impact on the give them an appropriate fo- rencies but in addition of- Cyprus courses of study in- Cyprus and Greece, who are linked with the need to fol- environment should be con- cus,” Head of the Strategic fers the course to students clude Game Designing and around 73 per cent of our low a budget,’ George Ken- sidered and minimised.” Development Committee internationally via online Development; and UCLan students, but also interna- tas, MPA programme coor- The European University Christophoros Charalam- format. Cyprus also has Game De- tional students and we also dinator said explaining the Cyprus is one of those which bous said. The University of Central velopment as one of their look at what other universi- growing demand. “Nearly all followed. According to Vice UNic offers a Masters in Lancashire Cyprus (UCLan) paths. ties offer, both in Cyprus and of our students already work Director of Academic Affairs Digital Media and Commu- teaches Cybersecurity in “This has become more abroad. Actually, now we are in the public sector, from all Andreas Makris around two nication, the emphasis be- an age where cybersecurity popular especially with in the process of planning for layers, and they want to add years ago oil and gas stud- ing on digital. Though there is part of many disciplines young people. They are next year.” a theoretical knowledge to ies for both bachelors and has long been a Masters in their practical skills.” masters were added due to Communications, recently The UNic Pharmacy pro- the gas prospects around this has been revamped, gramme combines basic and Cyprus. embracing new technologies traditional topics with mod- Apart from oil and gas, like social media. “This is ern trends. It is designed to there are also other studies the only programme in Cy- prepare students for car- that acknowledge that Cy- prus that has a clear empha- rying out research that will prus is surrounded by the sis on digital media,” head eventually produce the next sea. Frederick University of the Communications De- generation of medicine. It started out with a Bachelors partment Tao Papaioannou is also concerned with new in Maritime Studies and told the Cyprus Mail. ways of delivering drugs ef- now also has a Masters in It allows students to fectively and safely. the same fi eld. Next, the in- choose from three different Frederick University, al- stitution is planning to offer specialisations, Journalism ready well known for its a Masters in Maritime Law and Social Media Publish- design and architecture and Shipping which will give ing, Public Relations and programmes, have now got students the opportunity to Advertising in Networked a Masters in Conservation land jobs as either special- Society, and Sports Media and Restoration of Histori- ised lawyers or managers in and Communications. cal Structures, which is of the maritime sector. “It is critical, theoretical interest to architects and The universities also focus and practical,” Papaioan- to other professionals such their courses of study on the nou explained, “and we offer as those working with an- rapid development of new the three specialisations so tiques. technologies, and Frederick people can become journal- So, there is plenty to is no exception. Their lat- ists, or marketeers, or sports choose from, much more est addition to the fi eld is commentators, all of which than can be covered in one a Masters in Web & Smart are very different.” space. And, of course, there Systems, smart systems be- In line with advancing new are all the traditional pro- ing intelligent systems that trends in technology the grammes which also keep are not computers, such as university now also has a changing content to adapt mobile devices. “There are Masters in Digital Currency, to changing times.