Frederick University had the honor of hosting the 4th Doctoral Colloquium of the Cyprus Rectors’ Conference, held on Saturday, April 5, 2025, at its Limassol campus.

The aim of the Colloquium was to highlight the research conducted across Cyprus’ universities and to enhance the communication skills of doctoral candidates—skills that are a fundamental part of their academic development. More than 100 PhD students from universities across Cyprus presented their research in thematic areas such as Business and Management, Finance, Education, Humanities, Social Sciences, Life and Health Sciences, Medicine, Physical Sciences, Engineering, and Technology.

The opening ceremony, held at Frederick University in Limassol, featured welcome addresses by:

• Professor Mary Koutselini, President of the Cyprus Agency of Quality Assurance and Accreditation in Higher Education (CYQAA)

• Professor George Demosthenous, Rector of Frederick University

• Professor Michalis Komodromos, Vice Rector for Research, Development, and International Relations at Frederick University and member of the Colloquium’s Scientific Committee

In his remarks, Professor George Demosthenous stated: "Organizing this Colloquium underscores the value of collaboration and networking among Cyprus’ PhD candidates. Through this event, we not only acknowledge the dedication and hard work of our doctoral students, but also strengthen Cyprus’ research ecosystem. Frederick University remains deeply committed to advancing doctoral education and research, continuously fostering excellence and the generation of new knowledge for the advancement of science, technology, and the humanities."

Professor Mary Koutselini, in her address, emphasized the importance of quality and excellence, noting: "An institution’s reputation and its ability to meet its goals of quality and excellence depend on the experiences it offers its students. A key measure of this is the students’ success in achieving independence and distinction in their chosen fields. Doctoral studies should not be seen merely as a pathway to employment, but as the foundation for lifelong research and active engagement with the academic and social community."

Professor Michalis Komodromos highlighted the significance of the Doctoral Colloquium as a platform for promoting research in Cyprus and fostering interdisciplinary collaboration: "Today is a testament to the vibrant research community in Cyprus that we’ve nurtured together—an ecosystem of ideas and partnerships. At the heart of this event is the innovative research of our talented doctoral candidates. It is their hard work, dedication, and creativity that will shape the future."

Throughout the day, parallel sessions featured presentations from various scientific disciplines, reflecting the breadth and depth of doctoral research in Cyprus. Academic staff provided valuable feedback and mentorship.

During the sessions, attendees were invited to score presentations, and the following were recognized as the best in their respective thematic areas:

• Physical Sciences, Technology, and Engineering:

Charis Samanidis, Cyprus University of Technology – Utilizing Carbon Dioxide: Bio-Conversion into High-Value Products Using Metals and Bacteria

• Education, Humanities, and Social Sciences:

Ioanna Georgiou, Frederick University – Social Services and Support Structures for Adults with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and Their Parents’ Quality of Life in Cyprus

• Business, Finance, Economics, and Management:

Christiana Stylianou, Cyprus University of Technology – Female Agro-Entrepreneurship and its Role in Tourism Resilience: The Case of Cyprus

• Life, Health, and Medicine:

Yiannis Seisou, Frederick University – Physiotherapeutic Assessment of Physical Activity: Impacts on Mental Health, Fear of Falling, and Quality of Life in the Elderly in Cyprus

The awards were presented during the closing ceremony by Professor Michalis Komodromos, who expressed his gratitude to all participants and praised the high quality of doctoral research in Cyprus: "It fills me with pride to witness the emergence of a dynamic and thriving scientific community in Cyprus—one that is equipped to drive research innovation and meaningfully contribute to the betterment of society."

The Doctoral Colloquium is an annual event organized by the Cyprus Rectors’ Conference. It serves as a vital platform for PhD students to present their research, exchange ideas, and engage in meaningful dialogue with fellow researchers and academics across disciplines.