The establishment of the Chair marks a “historical moment for Greek-Cypriot relations in higher education.” Credit: AMNA
The first-ever Chair of Cypriot Studies established at a Greek Higher Education Institution will be inaugurated this coming Sunday, October 26th, at the School of Law of the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki (AUTH).
The inauguration ceremony will be conducted by the President of the Republic of Cyprus, Nikos Christodoulides, who will be accompanied by a delegation from Cyprus, including the Minister of Education, Sports, and Youth, Dr. Athina Michaelidou, and the Minister of Defence, Vassilis Palmas.
A historical moment for Greek-Cypriot relations
According to a press release from AUTH, the establishment of the Chair marks a “historical moment for Greek-Cypriot relations in higher education.”
The Chair of Cypriot Studies is fully funded by the Republic of Cyprus, following two decisions by the Council of Ministers (November 4, 2021, and December 18, 2024). It was formally established on February 23, 2022, by a decision of the AUTH Senate.
A Memorandum of Cooperation was signed on June 24, 2025, between the University and the Cypriot Government by the current Rector, Professor Kyriakos Anastasiadis, and the Cypriot Minister of Education, Dr. Athina Michaelidou.
The School of Law, which initiated the Chair’s founding, is responsible for its operation. On October 10, 2025, the School Assembly elected Dr. Haris Alexandrou as the Chair Holder, who will coordinate the implementation of the Memorandum.
Objectives and curriculum of Cypriot studies
According to the Memorandum, the Chair’s aims are comprehensive:
- To study the Cyprus Issue and the consequences of the Turkish invasion and occupation.
- To promote and cultivate the Greek-Cypriot dialect and literature.
- To research topics within Cypriot Studies and promote the history, culture, and society of Cyprus.
- To foster cooperation with Cypriot Higher Education Institutions and the diplomatic missions of the Republic of Cyprus.
To immediately advance these goals, the School of Law has incorporated two new courses into its curriculum for the upcoming semester, which will be open to all AUTH students: “Cypriot History” and “The Cyprus Issue.”