During the opening session of the International Conference CASE25, organized by the School of Engineering, the Head of the Department of Mechanical Engineering, Dr. Michalis Menoikou, delivered a speech dedicated to the late Professor Marios Fyrillas.

With heartfelt words and deep respect, he referred to Professor Fyrillas’ remarkable scientific and academic career, his invaluable contribution to the development of the Department, as well as to the human qualities that make him a lasting point of reference for all.

The full speech of Dr. Michalis Menoikou follows:

"Distinguished colleagues, dear students, ladies and gentlemen,

It is both a great honour and a deep emotion for me to stand here today, at the CASE25 conference, dedicated to the memory of our dear colleague, teacher, and friend, Professor Marios Fyrillas.

Marios was a truly remarkable personality. He was not only an outstanding scientist, with internationally recognized work and an admirable academic career. Above all, he was a man of warmth, of passion for teaching, and with a unique ability to inspire those around him.

He studied at Imperial College in London and then at the University of California, Irvine, where he completed his PhD in Mechanical Engineering. His path led him to research centres and universities around the world – from the United States to the Netherlands, Greece, Cyprus, and Kazakhstan. In 2003 he joined the then Frederick Institute of Technology, and from 2007 he was with us at Frederick University. In 2017 he became Head of the Department of Mechanical Engineering, a position in which he left a lasting mark.

During all those years, Marios was not just a professor or an administrator. He played a decisive role in shaping our Department, in modernizing our curricula, strengthening our laboratories, and supporting our students. As Vice-Dean of the School of Engineering and a member of the Senate, he contributed with insight, moderation, and determination to the major decisions of the University.

His research activity was rich and diverse, with publications in international journals, research projects that opened new paths, and international collaborations that promoted Frederick University in the global academic community. For him, research was never only about numbers and diagrams; it was about creation, it was a journey, it was the joy of sharing new ideas with colleagues and students.

His work spanned various fields, including heat and mass transfer, viscoelastic flows, and environmental transport processes. One of his most significant contributions in later years was in Shape Optimization in Heat Transfer Phenomena, where he provided a unique mathematical perspective on optimizing conductive heat transport across complex geometries. His innovative approach merged analytical and numerical methods to determine optimal shapes that enhance heat dissipation, a fundamental problem in engineering with applications in industrial design, energy systems, and materials science. His deep mathematical intuition allowed him to simplify highly complex engineering problems into elegant formulations that yielded practical and efficient solutions.

As a teacher, Marios stood out. He knew how to make the difficult things simple, how to keep the interest alive, how to turn a complex equation into a story that made you smile. Students remember him for his passion in the classroom, for his willingness to dedicate hours outside the schedule, for his patience in explaining again and again until he was sure that everyone had understood.

As a colleague, he was one of those people you always wanted by your side. Always smiling, always with humour, always with a positive spirit. He was a central figure in social gatherings with colleagues; whether in a simple get-together or a departmental celebration, Marios was there, bringing energy, uniting people, creating memories that will stay with us forever.

And even when his health began to challenge him, when he faced hearing problems, he never complained. On the contrary, he confronted them with his characteristic humour, with dignity, and with a smile that never faded. For all of us, this was a lesson in strength and in how to face life.

His passing, in April 2019, left us all unprepared. He departed too soon, leaving behind a great void. But he also left something even stronger: a legacy of values. His love for knowledge. His devotion to students. His belief that Frederick University can stand tall on the international stage. And, above all, his humanity.

Today, through the CASE25 conference, we keep this legacy alive. This is not only an academic meeting; it is an act of remembrance and honour. It is proof that Marios continues to be present through his work, through the people he taught, through the colleagues he inspired, through all of us who were fortunate enough to know him.

Let me close with a personal thought. Marios had a way of making people around him feel better — of making them believe they could achieve more than they thought possible. That, I believe, is the greatest gift someone can leave behind: the ability to inspire.

Today, we remember him with love and respect. And we commit that his memory will remain alive — not only in conferences like this one, but every day, in our classrooms, in our laboratories, in our discussions, and in our plans for the future of our Department and our University.

Marios will always be with us.

If there is one thing Marios left us, it is the strength to smile and to move forward with optimism. Thank you."