National and Kapodistrian University of Athens opens Cyprus branch in Nicosia

On Monday, September 21, 2026, the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens (NKUA) officially launched its new Cyprus branch in Nicosia. The ceremony welcomed the first cohort of students for the 2026-2027 academic year, marking a significant milestone in the internationalization of Greek higher education and deepening academic ties between Greece and Cyprus.

University Rector Gerasimos Siasos, Nicosia Mayor Charalambos Prountzos, and faculty leaders including Professor P. Lagiou, Dean of the School of Health Sciences, attended the inauguration. The branch currently operates the Medical School and the Department of Primary Education. Additional departments, including Psychology and the School of Economics, are scheduled to commence operations in the coming days.

This initiative is part of a broader strategy to revitalize Nicosia's historic center within the walls. By establishing academic activities in the area, authorities aim to address long-standing issues of urban abandonment and limited occupancy. The influx of students is expected to generate new demand for housing, catering, and transportation services, effectively fostering a consistent daily presence of youth and academic life in the old city.