AUB Mediterraneo Opens Its Fourth Academic Year in Cyprus

AUB Mediterraneo marked the opening of the 2026–27 academic year with a ceremony held at its Pafos campus on September 14, bringing together senior university leadership, faculty, staff, and students to welcome the start of a new academic year.

The ceremony began with the academic procession, followed by an address by AUB President Dr. Fadlo R. Khuri titled “Of Travails and Tipping Points.”

Reflecting on AUB’s 160-year educational legacy, President Khuri recalled that the university began its first academic year in 1866 with 16 students. He connected this history with the establishment of AUB Mediterraneo, which welcomed its first cohort of 53 students from 12 countries on September 6, 2023, and is now entering its fourth academic year in Cyprus. Under the leadership of Rector Dr. Wassim El Hajj, AUB Mediterraneo has continued to grow both academically and as an international university community. Today, it is home to 385 students representing 51 countries

This growth is reflected not only in student numbers, but also in the breadth of academic activity taking place on campus. AUB Mediterraneo now offers undergraduate degree programs in Philosophy, Politics, and Economics; Psychology; Global Liberal Arts; Computer Science and Engineering; Industrial Engineering; Civil Engineering and Sustainable Design; Management; and Digital Marketing, as well as master’s programs in Engineering Management and Business Analytics. Students interested in pursuing medical studies can also follow a pre-medical track.

Alongside its expanding academic portfolio, research activity is gaining momentum through faculty-led projects and collaboration across AUB’s two campuses. The robotics laboratory adds a further hands-on dimension, providing students with opportunities to connect their studies with experimentation and practical application. Together, these developments reflect the continued evolution of AUB Mediterraneo as a center for learning, research, and innovation in Pafos, Cyprus.

Against this backdrop, President Khuri reflected on the changing nature of education. “The languages of education change, but the need to learn the languages of one’s time does not,” President Khuri said. He spoke about the importance of understanding the defining languages of today, including artificial intelligence, computing, design, the fine arts, and the humanities, while preserving the qualities that remain distinctly human. At a time when information and answers are increasingly easy to obtain, he emphasized the growing importance of critical thinking and human judgment.

“Critical thinking is not simply knowing the right answer; it is knowing how to assess what is in front of you, question your assumptions, weigh alternatives, and adapt your judgment as circumstances change,” he said.

Addressing the students, President Khuri highlighted adaptability and resilience as essential qualities for navigating a rapidly evolving world. “That is one of the gifts I hope an AUB education will give you: not a fixed map of the world, but the ability to navigate a rapidly changing world.” He invited the AUB Mediterraneo community to approach the new academic year with curiosity, sound judgment, and the determination to build the momentum that can lead to lasting change.