The inauguration of the Athens branch of the University of Nicosia, “Unic Athens,” took place this morning in the municipality of Elliniko–Argyroupoli, marking the start of its operation in the Greek capital.

Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis attended the ceremony, while the President of the Republic of Cyprus, Nikos Christodoulides, was also present in Athens. Shortly before the official event, Mitsotakis and Christodoulides were given a tour of the new university facilities.

In his speech, the Prime Minister sent a clear message in favor of reforms in higher education and the country’s shift toward the future, stressing that Greece cannot remain trapped in outdated perceptions.

Mitsotakis: Progress does not come from clinging to the past

“It is a great joy and honor for me to be here today,” the Prime Minister said at the outset. He emphasized that “we did not back down in the face of the opposition’s rigid positions,” criticizing rhetoric that—according to him—remains stuck in the 1980s instead of focusing on Greece in 2030.

In the same context, he made it clear that “progress does not come from being anchored in the past but through knowledge,” highlighting the decisive role of education in the country’s development. He also noted that “the goal is for the number of such institutions to reach ten.”

Referring to changes in universities, he stated that “where there were once occupations, there are now modern laboratories and libraries,” adding that the aim is for the number of such institutions to exceed ten. He stressed, however, that the state will make no concessions on the criteria for the operation of non-state universities, underlining that quality is a non-negotiable requirement.

The Prime Minister reiterated his ambition for Greece to evolve into a strong regional hub for education, research, and innovation, creating a network of collaborations across multiple fields. At the same time, he underlined that strengthening public education remains a top priority, from early childhood to university level, with emphasis on both infrastructure and student support.

He also highlighted the importance of linking higher education to the international environment, noting that it cannot operate in isolation from global developments. “I always have in mind an ecosystem where public and private institutions coexist and collaborate,” he said.

“It has been an important step, but another must follow,” the Prime Minister added, referring to the revision of Article 16 of the Constitution. “The time has come to implement what has been discussed for decades: to declare Article 16 revisable, so that there is no institutional ambiguity regarding the operation of such institutions in our country,” he noted.

Closing his speech, Mitsotakis linked the investment in Elliniko to the broader transformation of the country’s image, recalling that just a few years ago the area was abandoned, while today it is being transformed into a dynamic development hub with multi-billion investments. “Greece is changing,” he stressed, adding that the government will continue working toward the Greece of 2030 in an increasingly fast-moving world.

The programs

The new university campus, in its first phase of development, will host programs in Medicine, Law, Pharmacy, Psychology, Business Administration, Accounting, Marketing, Computer Science, and Data Science.

As highlighted during the presentation, this marks a particularly important milestone for Greek higher education, as it signals the establishment of the country’s first non-state Medical and Law Schools.

The total area of the university will reach 150,000 square meters, with development planned in three phases: the second phase is expected to be completed by 2028 and the third by 2031.

Watch video from the inauguration ceremony

Inauguration of the University of Nicosia branch in Athens