Marina Neophytou elected as first female rector of University of Cyprus

Professor Marina Neophytou has been elected as the new rector of the University of Cyprus (UCY), becoming the first woman to hold the position in the institution's history. The results were officially announced on October 7, 2026, by the electoral committee at the university's sports center. Out of 486 eligible voters, 437 participated, with 432 valid ballots cast. Neophytou secured the win in the fourth round of voting with 214 votes, prevailing over four other candidates: Ioannis Giapintzakis, Sofronis Clerides, Fofi Constantinidou, and Eleni-Tatiani Synodinou.

Neophytou is currently the Dean of the Faculty of Engineering and head of the Environmental Fluid Mechanics Laboratory. Her research focuses on climate change and fluid dynamics, including leadership of EU-funded projects such as TRIGGER, EnerCMed, and CiROCCO. Beyond her academic role, she has provided expert testimony in environmental court cases and served as an advisor for government and municipal authorities regarding environmental accidents.

The university also conducted elections for the positions of vice-rectors. While the results for the rector were declared, the names of the successful candidates for vice-rector positions, for which Georgia Panagiotou, Antonis A. Ellinas, and Marios D. Dikaiakos were nominated, are expected to be announced shortly.