The 2026 Intercollege Graduation Ceremony took place at UNIC’s Amphitheatre
Press Release 23/6/2026
The 2026 Intercollege Graduation Ceremony took place at UNIC’s Amphitheatre
The Intercollege Graduation Ceremony 2026 took place at the open amphitheater of the University of Nicosia in the presence of a large audience, including the leadership of both the academic community of the College and the University of Nicosia.
Addressing the new graduates during the graduation ceremony, Dr. Emilios A. Solomou, President of Intercollege, stated among other things:
“Whether you studied Culinary Arts, Aesthetics, Mechanical Installations Technology, or Merchant Marine Officer Studies, you have chosen a path that demands knowledge, technical expertise, and responsibility. Our society and economy need people who can create, build, repair, and provide essential services with quality and consistency.”
On behalf of the graduates, Ioanna Fountoulaki, a graduate of Intercollege’s Bachelor’s Degree in Aesthetics, delivered the graduates’ address. She said:
“Aristotle, one of humanity’s greatest thinkers, once said: ‘The roots of education are bitter, but the fruit is sweet.’ We have experienced this firsthand. We know the bitterness of late nights, uncertainty, and difficult choices. But we also know the sweetness of achievement, the pride that comes with knowledge, and the joy of reaching our goal.
It would be impossible not to express our deepest gratitude to our families. They have been the unseen foundation of this journey—standing by us through moments of exhaustion and uncertainty, and offering unwavering support at every critical stage.
We also owe our sincere thanks to our lecturers, who went far beyond simply imparting knowledge. They invested in our intellectual and professional development with dedication and genuine care.”
Mr. Nicolas Kythreotis, Executive Director of Intercollege, spoke about excellence in education, emphasizing that the values Intercollege has always stood for are not created solely through academic programmes and regulations—they are created by people.
He noted that the programmes offered by Intercollege are not merely resilient in the face of technological change; they are becoming increasingly essential
and continue to be in high demand. Over the past two years, Intercollege has achieved a remarkable transformation, growing stronger, attracting more students, expanding its horizons, and regaining the confidence and momentum that define the institution.
He stressed that these achievements did not result simply from buildings, laboratories, organisational structures, or budgets, but above all from dedicated individuals who worked tirelessly, persevered, and often contributed far beyond the scope of their official responsibilities. Behind every significant achievement are people whose invaluable contributions often remain unseen and insufficiently recognised.
In one of the most moving moments of the ceremony, Intercollege honoured Emeritus Professor Mary Koutselini with a distinguished award in recognition of her longstanding and invaluable contribution to higher education, education policy, and the academic development of Cyprus.
Professor Koutselini, who also served as the keynote speaker of the evening, has played a pivotal role in promoting quality and excellence in higher education, making a significant contribution to the development and advancement of Cyprus’ academic landscape.
Through this honorary distinction, Intercollege expressed its appreciation and respect for Professor Koutselini’s vision, achievements, and lifelong contribution to education and society.
As the keynote speaker, Professor Mary Koutselini remarked:
“Higher education institutions with a clear focus on technical and technological professions are today, more than ever, essential partners in national development, particularly when they provide high-quality education and technical specialisation through programmes that continuously evolve and innovate.
One such institution is the one from which you graduate today—Intercollege. Through its academic programmes and graduates, Intercollege makes a significant contribution to strengthening Cyprus’ competitive advantage in key sectors such as Maritime Studies, Culinary Arts, Aesthetics, and Mechanical Installations Technology.
The outstanding performance of Intercollege and its graduates is reflected both in European quality assurance evaluations—which are a prerequisite for programme accreditation—and in the exceptionally high employability rates of its graduates.”
The ceremony continued with the presentation of Academic Excellence Awards and concluded with the official awarding and confirmation of diplomas and degrees.
This year’s Graduation Ceremony was hosted by Angelos Iacovides and Fani Papamichael.
