Pafos Live 6 September 2025
With a spectacular ceremony, the American University of Beirut – Mediterraneo (AUB Mediterraneo) celebrated a historic milestone: the first graduation of its graduate students and the start of the new academic year.
The ceremony, which took place at the University Amphitheatre in Paphos, was attended by the President and members of the Board of Commissioners, which is the highest leadership of the University, the President and Rector of the University, the Mayor of Paphos, members of the Academic and Administrative staff, the families of the graduates, students and other guests.
The event highlighted the American University of Beirut's (AUB) long-standing commitment to academic excellence, innovation, and global collaboration, while at the same time highlighting the transformative role of AUB Mediterraneo in Cyprus and the wider region.
In his speech, the President of AUB, Professor Fadlo R. Khuri, praised the courage of the first class of graduates. "Whether you pursued it or not, you are pioneers. You chose to walk on a new path, which previous generations of students had not charted. And in doing so, you have left an imprint for countless others to follow. Today you are not just a graduate of AUB Mediterraneo; You are citizens of the world, bringing with you both a sense of belonging and the responsibility that comes with being a global citizen."
The Rector of AUB Mediterraneo, Professor Wassim El Hajj referred to the course and future ambitions of the university. "Today we celebrate the graduation of the first students to obtain a master's degree at AUB Mediterraneo. We are extremely proud, but we are not satisfied. Our impact will grow as our graduates travel the world, as we strengthen our ties with AUB in Beirut, and as we build new partnerships in Cyprus, Europe and beyond."
The President of the AUB Board of Commissioners, Mr. Abdo George Kadifa, reiterated the Council's full commitment to the twin University of Cyprus. "We are fully and substantially committed to the development and future of AUB Mediterraneo. Our University in Cyprus, he stressed, is not satellite – it is an integral part of the expanding AUB structure. Our graduates are not just students; are the founding graduates of AUB Mediterraneo, the pioneers who turned a vision into a living reality."
On behalf of the alumni, Marina Markarian (MSBA '25) emphasized the unifying spirit of the institution. "If there's one thing that stands out about our university, it's its success in bringing people from every corner of the world together, uniting us through the transformative power of education and research. As graduates, we carry with us not only the knowledge, but also the responsibility to create and innovate for a better future."
Bolstered by another 120 students who joined this year, coming from 38 countries, AUB Mediterraneo builds on the strong legacy of the American University of Beirut, while at the same time contributing to Cyprus' growing role as an international center of education.
About the American University of Beirut – Mediterraneo
The American University of Beirut – Mediterraneo (AUB Mediterraneo), is approved by the U.S. Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE) as a branch of the American University of Beirut (AUB) Lebanon. AUB operates under a Certification granted by the New York State Department of Education (NYSED) which certifies the university's curricula. All departments and programs at AUB Mediterraneo are also approved and certified by the Cyprus Organization for Quality Assurance and Accreditation of Higher Education (CYPAE), by the Ministry of Education of the Republic of Cyprus and are recognized worldwide. The language of instruction is English.
