-
.
- Ελληνικά
It is a special pleasure for me to be among you today, representing the President of the Republic, at this special moment for every student, which marks the successful completion of a path towards the acquisition of a university degree. A path that crowns the demanding effort that preceded it, opens up new horizons and enables our young people to contribute to the progress of our country and the prosperity of local and global society.
To this end, the academic and scientific training offered by the University is considered very important. Recognizing in the persons of the present graduates the new competent scientific potential of our country, I wish to commend the Council, the Rectorial Authorities, the Senate, the academic and administrative staff of Neapolis University, who work with zeal and dedication to achieve the goals of the Institution. Having as its orientation the provision of quality higher education, the guiding principle of the academic constitution and the curricula offered by the University is to ensure the scholarship, the expertise and the accomplished career of its students, both in Cyprus and abroad. The international recognition, accreditation and high ratings that Neapolis University receives, ranking it among the most prestigious academic institutions in our country, confirm the targeted course it follows and its continuous progress and development.
Of particular importance is the fact that this course, like that of other universities in our country, in addition to maximizing their scientific work and their continuous pursuit of excellence, contributes, at the same time, to the goal we have set as a Government and as a Ministry for the further promotion and upgrading of higher education in our country. At a time characterized by rapid changes at the economic, social and political levels, our priority is the acquisition by our young people of the skills that will allow them to adapt to modern conditions and enhance their potential for personal, academic and professional development. It is for this reason that we support the activity of all our public and private university institutions, strengthening their operation in various ways. The ultimate goal of this effort is to transform our island into a quality and upgraded educational and research centre and to make Cyprus a leading player in the competitive international field of university education.
To this end, particular importance is attached to the assurance and continuous improvement of our Universities, through the Quality Assurance and Accreditation Body for Higher Education (QAAE), which operates on the basis of European and international standards and specifications.
At the same time, we proceed with the immediate implementation of our targeted plans, as recorded in the framework of the Government's coherent programmatic policy for Higher Education. At the heart of this policy is the internationalisation of Cyprus' university education, with the ultimate aim of attracting students, distinguished academics and researchers. In this context, we promote new, mutually beneficial transnational agreements, as well as further synergies between our country's universities, which allow mobility and the exchange of knowledge and experience between the student, academic and research communities.
At the same time, recognizing the high educational and research work produced in our universities, we seek through our plans to exploit to the maximum extent possible the results of their activities with the aim of developing the An important development towards the implementation of this objective is the scientifically documented interconnection of the offered Study Programmes of the Higher Education Institutions of Cyprus with the labour market, which is attempted within the framework of the Resilience Recovery Plan of the Republic of Cyprus. In particular, the Directorate of Higher Education is implementing the project 'Addressing the skills mismatch between education and the labour market', through which it has developed a national mechanism to monitor Higher Education graduates in relation to labour market requirements. In addition, Cyprus' participation in the European Eurograduate Graduate Follow-up Survey is also considered important. The data collection resulting from the survey, combined with the data from the national employer survey, will contribute to the design of new curricula aimed at improving the link between the higher education system and the labour market.
It is important to note that, according to the preliminary results of the first cycle of the national follow-up survey, which have only recently been published, our graduates recorded their satisfaction with the positive impact of their studies However, some graduates highlighted the importance of further aligning the skills they acquire during their studies with the expected performance of the country's workforce. This underlines the importance of promoting our policies to identify emerging skills needs and improve labour market information.
It is also important to note that the State is promoting the European University Network as an important factor in developing knowledge, research and innovation and linking them to social welfare. In the framework of the Network, the public and private universities of Cyprus are financially supported, and through highly competitive procedures they secure their participation in the Network as full members.
Furthermore, our Ministry, recognizing the potential, value and importance of research and innovation, is taking coordinated actions for their further development and exploitation, in cooperation with the competent Deputy Ministry, the Ministry of Finance and the Foundation for the Promotion of Research and Innovation, while the amendment of the Law on Research and Innovation is already being promoted.
In addition, our Ministry, recognizing the potential, value and importance of research and innovation, is taking coordinated actions for their further development and exploitation, in cooperation with the competent Deputy Ministry, the Ministry of Finance and the Foundation for the Promotion of Research and Innovation. We must continue to give our children the opportunity to receive a quality university education, while having the opportunity to work in their home country. We must invest in our people and their work. We must build on the scientific work produced by our country's academic community. Given the evolutionary course of our academic institutions, their quality as centres of scientific excellence and source of intellectual wealth, and the mutually beneficial synergies developed with our Ministry, I am confident that we will achieve even more.
Dear graduates,
I would like to congratulate you warmly on obtaining your degree. Together with you, I would like to congratulate your people and your University, who supported you during your studies and are proudly sharing the joy of your success tonight. The university education you have received is a guarantee, not only for your personal, professional or academic career, but also for the future of our society.
As graduates, you will be faced with new challenges, which will require the continuous upgrading of your scientific knowledge and skills. Through systematic work, organisation, flexibility, adaptability, perseverance and self-belief, you will undoubtedly achieve your goals. Seize the opportunities that come your way and remain open to challenges. Above all, remain true to your principles and values. Proceed with your own dreams as your guide and with the common good in mind. Have a great career!
(MB)
Contents of this article including associated images are belongs to PIO
Views & opinions expressed are those of the author and/or PIO
Source
