In a landmark initiative for the internationalization of higher education in Southeast Europe and the Eastern Mediterranean, the Democritus University of Thrace (DUTH) and Neapolis University of Pafos are launching a joint undergraduate school of medicine, delivered exclusively in English and designed for international students.

This innovative six-year programme represents a paradigm shift in regional medical education by blending academic rigor with geographic flexibility. As Rector of DUTH, Professor Fotios Maris, notes, “The programme’s architecture draws on the pedagogical strengths and infrastructure of both institutions, ensuring academic depth, clinical excellence, and global accessibility.”

Programme Structure: Bridging Theory and Practice Across Borders

The curriculum is divided into two distinct phases. The first four years—focused on foundational and pre-clinical training—will be delivered in Cyprus at Neapolis University, where students will benefit from newly developed facilities, incorporating immersive technologies such as virtual reality and AI-enhanced simulation. According to Professor Alexandra Yatromanolaki of DUTH’s Medical Faculty, “The learning model is built on advanced didactic technologies to ensure a strong theoretical grounding in core biomedical sciences, before clinical exposure.”

In years five and six, students will transition to Greece for clinical rotations at the University General Hospital of Alexandroupolis, one of the most modern teaching hospitals in the country. With access to over 20 clinical departments and a multidisciplinary healthcare environment, students will acquire hands-on training aligned with European and international standards.

International Scope and Target Cohort

Crucially, this programme is open exclusively to non-Greek students, including Cypriot nationals and third-country applicants from regions such as the Middle East, North Africa, and Asia. The admissions process will adhere strictly to the quality assurance criteria set by the accreditation authorities of both Greece and Cyprus, ensuring rigorous selection and academic transparency.

As outlined by Rector Pantelis Sklias of Neapolis University, this collaboration serves as “an emblematic example of complementary institutional capabilities—combining the academic legacy and medical expertise of DUTH with the agility, international networks, and modern infrastructure of Neapolis University.”

Staffing, Mobility, and Institutional Balance

One of the operational cornerstones of the partnership is the cross-institutional teaching model. Up to 50 academic staff from DUTH are expected to contribute to the Cyprus-based component of the programme. However, Professor Yatromanolaki is quick to address concerns about staffing continuity at DUTH: “This will not impact our existing programmes. Teaching schedules are staggered, and with the recent recruitment of 20 new faculty members, we are well-positioned to meet both domestic and international obligations.”

Strategic International Engagement

The new medical programme is not an isolated effort but the third major step in DUTH’s broader strategy of academic internationalization. According to Professor Maris, this effort builds on two other flagship initiatives: the EMERGE European University Alliance—comprising nine regionally embedded institutions across Europe—and a pioneering dual-degree undergraduate programme in Physical Education with Helwan University in Egypt, set to launch in September 2025.

Looking ahead, DUTH is exploring further strategic engagements, including proposed postgraduate collaborations with Columbia University, the University of Zurich, and York University in Canada. These initiatives, expected to commence in 2026 pending ministerial approval, are complemented by deepening discussions with Chinese institutions and a planned branch campus in Cairo.

Enhancing Regional Impact Through Globalization

This joint programme underscores the evolving role of regional universities in the global academic landscape. It illustrates how a systematic and phased approach to internationalization—anchored in strong institutional partnerships—can yield high-impact educational models without diluting domestic responsibilities.

Both universities are leveraging their shared participation in the EMERGE Alliance to work toward a joint European degree with a European Label, a new EU initiative aimed at reinforcing the mobility and recognition of cross-border qualifications.

Why Greek Students Are Excluded

Under Greek law, tuition-bearing foreign-language undergraduate programmes are not accessible to domestic students unless they have completed secondary education abroad. This restriction, as clarified by Rector Sklias, is grounded in national policy frameworks governing public university education in Greece.

A Model of Academic Diplomacy and Institutional Synergy

Beyond its educational merits, the joint medicine programme functions as an instrument of academic diplomacy—fostering regional connectivity while offering high-calibre training to students from countries with limited medical education capacity. Neapolis University is already engaging with partner institutions in Egypt, Israel, Lebanon, and Jordan to facilitate academic pathways from allied health disciplines into medicine.

As Professor Maris concludes, “This initiative exemplifies how regional institutions, through collective vision and institutional alignment, can shape international academic ecosystems. The success of such ventures is the result of strategic continuity, stakeholder engagement, and above all, a shared commitment to excellence in education.”

Special recognition is extended to Professor Maria Michalopoulou, DUTH’s lead on internationalisation, for her instrumental role in coordinating this multidimensional academic effort.