• Establishing the International Stelios Scholars Program in Cyprus with MBA Scholarships through the School of Economics and Management

For the second consecutive year, Sir Stelios Haji-Ioannou, creator and owner of the easy family of brands (www.easy.com, www.easyHistory.info) and founder and president of the Stelios Philanthropic Foundation (https://steliosfoundation.com.cy/), reaffirms his commitment to supporting MBA students at the University of Cyprus.

As part of its activities, the Stelios Philanthropic Foundation has allocated €30,000 in scholarships for students in the University of Cyprus's Master of Business Administration (MBA) program within the School of Economics and Management. Annually, three students are selected based on academic performance and socioeconomic criteria, with the scholarships fully covering their tuition fees.

For the academic year 2024–2025, following an extensive evaluation process, the scholarships were awarded to Mrs. Elina Filaktou, Dr Neoclis Hadjigeorgiou, and Dr Spyroula Mavrommati, Mrs. Rena Rouvitha Panou, Board Member of the Stelios Philanthropic Foundation, presented the awards at a special ceremony held at the University of Cyprus on Tuesday, November 12, 2024.

In her address, Mrs. Rouvitha Panou highlighted the social and humanitarian efforts of the Stelios Philanthropic Foundation, headquartered in the UK. Emphasizing the Foundation’s long-standing commitment to awarding scholarships at internationally recognized universities where Sir Stelios himself studied, Mrs. Panou underscored the importance of including the University of Cyprus among the Foundation’s priority institutions, honoring Sir Stelios’s homeland.

Mrs. Panou congratulated the winners on their outstanding achievements, welcoming them into the international Stelios Scholars family, which the Foundation has supported over the years. She conveyed Sir Stelios’s personal congratulations and shared his message: “Our aim is to support and encourage students who excel academically, helping them complete their studies and equipping them with the tools for successful careers. Education is a fundamental key to realizing our dreams”. In closing, Mrs. Panou encouraged the University of Cyprus Stelios Scholars to follow Sir Stelios’s inspiring example by contributing to society to the fullest while striving for excellence in their professional pursuits.

University of Cyprus President Mr. Tasos Anastasiou expressed his thanks to the Stelios Philanthropic Foundation and especially to Sir Stelios Haji-Ioannou, adding that this generous support sets an example for future benefactors who recognize the University’s pivotal role and significant contributions.

In his remarks, University Rector Professor Tasos Christofides expressed his appreciation for Sir Stelios Haji-Ioannou’s invaluable support to the University of Cyprus. He emphasized that this enduring commitment is a recognition of the University’s role in promoting the development, prosperity, and progress of Cyprus through its dedication to excellence and the training of visionary scientists.

The event was attended by distinguished guests, including Mr. Michalis Sarris, Chairman of the Advisory Board of the School of Economics and Management; MBA Program Directors Professor Irini Karamanou and Associate Professor Marios Theodosiou; senior academic officials; and previous Stelios Foundation Scholars, who represent the first Stelios Scholars from the University of Cyprus.

Concluding the ceremony, Professor Sofronis Clerides, Dean of the School of Economics and Management, expressed his gratitude to Sir Stelios Haji-Ioannou, as well as to Mrs. Rena Rouvitha Panou and other representatives of the Stelios Philanthropic Foundation. He extended his congratulations to the scholarship recipients, expressing pride in the level of academic excellence at the University of Cyprus, as demonstrated by the remarkable achievements of the selected Stelios Scholars.

University of Cyprus MBA Program

The University of Cyprus MBA program, accredited internationally by EFMD and AACSB, ranks among the leading business administration programs in Cyprus and the broader Eastern Mediterranean region. The program’s mission is to deliver high-quality education in management and finance through modern, innovative, and practical teaching methods.

Stelios Philanthropic Foundation

The Stelios Philanthropic Foundation, a non-profit, non-governmental organization, supports a wide range of charitable activities, primarily in countries where its founder, Sir Stelios Haji-Ioannou, has lived and worked: Cyprus, Greece, the United Kingdom, France, Monaco, and Ireland.