AUB Mediterraneo Hosts Its First STEM Day in Pafos as Part of AUB’s STEM Week
Pafos, Cyprus – November 10, 2025: The American University of Beirut – Mediterraneo (AUB Mediterraneo) hosted its first-ever STEM Day on campus on November 7, 2025 welcoming 60 high school students from across Pafos for a morning of discovery and inspiration in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics.
The event was part of an inter-campus initiative launched by the American University of Beirut (AUB), mother campus of AUB Mediterraneo, which hosted three days of talks, research showcases, and cross-disciplinary innovation under the same theme. AUB Mediterraneo proudly extended the celebration to Cyprus, bringing the spirit of STEM to life through engaging presentations on entrepreneurship, engineering, mathematics, and robotics, followed by a tour of the Intelligent Robotics Laboratory.
Held in the university’s auditorium in Pafos, the event featured interactive talks by AUB Mediterraneo faculty members who shared their perspectives on creativity, innovation, and interdisciplinary thinking in STEM.
“STEM week is about showing young people that science, technology, engineering and mathematics are not just about theory, they are about creativity, curiosity, and real-world problem solving,” said Dr. Rafael Papallas, assistant professor of Computer Science and Engineering. He continued, “We are proud to open our doors and share the excitement of science, technology, engineering and mathematics with the next generation.”
The program opened with a welcome by Dr. Papallas and continued with a series of talks linking STEM to creativity and real-world innovation. Dr. Yaozhi (George) Zhang addressed the theme “Business: Science or Art?”, followed by Dr. Claudia Franze on engineering as a mindset rooted in creativity and problem-solving. Dr. Georgios Charalambous highlighted the power of interdisciplinary mathematics, and the program concluded with Dr. Papallas’s session on physics-based robotic manipulation, offering students insight into how intelligent robots interact with the physical world.
Following the talks, students enjoyed a campus tour and an exclusive visit to the Intelligent Robotics Research Laboratory, where they observed ongoing research in intelligent robotic manipulation and artificial intelligence.
AUB Mediterraneo’s STEM Day reflects the university’s mission to promote excellence in education and research, foster community engagement, and inspire youth in Cyprus to pursue studies and careers in science and technology.
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About The American University of Beirut – Mediterraneo
The American University of Beirut – Mediterraneo (AUB Mediterraneo) in Pafos, Cyprus, is approved by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE) as a branch campus of the American University of Beirut (AUB) in Beirut, Lebanon. AUB operates under a charter granted by the New York State Education Department (NYSED) which registers the university’s degree programs. All departments and programs at AUB Mediterraneo are accredited in Europe and Cyprus through the Cyprus Agency of Quality Assurance and Accreditation of Higher Education (CYQAA) and recognized globally.
