Ministry of Education appoints interim head for higher education

On October 9, 2026, the Cypriot Ministry of Education announced the appointment of Ilias Markatzis as the deputy director of the Department of Higher and Tertiary Education. This move follows the recent retirement of the former director, Terpsa Konstantinidou, and aims to end the practice of temporary assignments of duties to various officials.

Ilias Markatzis, who currently serves as the director of Secondary Technical and Vocational Education and Training and oversees the Ministry's Office of Health and Safety, will hold this new position on an interim basis. His primary mandate is to manage the department until a permanent replacement is selected through the Public Service Commission (EDY). The position has already been officially announced by the EDY as both a first appointment and a promotion, allowing interested candidates to apply.

This administrative restructuring is intended to ensure the stability and continued oversight of academic programs within the country's education system. While Philenews reported that the transition is scheduled to occur soon, Reporter stated that Mr. Markatzis has already officially assumed his new responsibilities. The department awaits the final selection process from the Public Service Commission to fill the leadership vacancy permanently.