1. Dear Members, Partners and Friends of the Institute,
It is with great pleasure that we announce that the Cyprus Maritime Academy (CyMA) is ready to accept
its first students in September 2016. The CyMA was presented on 4 August 2016 at a press conference in
Limassol, at the presence of the Minister of Transport, Communications and Works, and executives of
the shipping industry in Cyprus.
The Cyprus Maritime Academy (CyMA) of the University of Nicosia, is the first Maritime Academy in
Cyprus to offer Certificates of Competency in Nautical Science (for Deck Officer), Marine Engineering
and Marine Electrotechnology, approved by the Department of Merchant Shipping of the Ministry of
Transport, Communication and Works in accordance with the International Maritime Organization's
standards. All courses will be offered in the English Language. Furthermore, in the near future it will
offer certificates on shorter specialized training courses, and become involved in relevant research and
innovation activities. CyMA will be based at Intercollege Larnaca, which is ideally situated near the
coastline of Larnaca.
The University of Nicosia announced the operation of the Cyprus Maritime Academy at the Maritime
Training Centre of Bernhard Schulte Shipmanagement (BSM) in Cyprus. As it was noted, this is a
pioneering educational project, which inter alia guarantees direct employment, in a sector in which
Cyprus plays a leading role, as the largest third-party shipping centre in Europe. Cyprus already has the
third largest fleet in the EU and the 10th largest fleet worldwide, with 1,677 ships, tonnage of about 23
million under the Cyprus flag, and 55,000 employed seafarers.
Our Institute had actively supported and contributed to the establishment of CyMA in accordance with
the Institute’s Primary Objectives of promoting Maritime Education and Training. In this context our
Institute assisted in the development of its training programs, facilitated the engagement of the local
industry and the interaction with the relevant Government’s Departments. Furthermore, the President
of the Institute was appointed as a member of the CyMA’s Board of Governors.
During the Press Conference the Minister of Transport, Communications and Works of the Republic of
Cyprus, Mr. Marios Demetriades, underscored the fact that “today there are very favourable conditions
to further develop the shipping sector, by attracting some of the largest shipping companies in the
world. The shortage of technical personnel with relevant experience will be addressed by the
establishment and operation, as of September, of the Cyprus Maritime Academy”. The Minister further
stressed that Maritime education has been incomplete, given the lack in training of merchant navy
officers, but now “sets sail” with the University of Nicosia’s initiative to create the Cyprus Maritime
Academy. “This is an endeavour that is supported by, and works closely with, the shipping community of
the island”, he concluded.
Professor Philippos Pouyioutas, Rector of the University of Nicosia pointed out that the Maritime
Academy is an example worth emulating, in terms of effectively implementing the “knowledge triangle”
(linking universities, research centres, and industry). This is something that is strongly endorsed by the
European Commission in the European Area of Higher Education he said.
The President of the Academy’s Board of Governors, Captain Eberhard Koch, noted that cooperation
with the University of Nicosia will ensure excellent opportunities for the next generation of seafarers, to
attend the Maritime Academy. He referred to Cyprus as a seafaring nation since antiquity, and
highlighted the island’s geographical position along major trade routes. “Its establishment as the first
port of the EU near the Suez Canal makes it a key shipping hub”, he remarked.

2. The CyMA Board of Governors (BoG) consists at the moment of 22 selected members, who offer value
and support to the work and purposes of the Academy. The purpose of the Board is to provide a direct
link to the needs of the industry, advice on all industry related developments, provide support to the
aims of the Cyprus Maritime Academy and monitor and evaluate the progress on the qualifications
offered.
Dr. Christos Vlachos, Chief Financial Officer of the University of Nicosia, and Dr. Stylianos
Mavromoustakos, Executive Director of the Cyprus Maritime Academy, presented the Academy’s
financial support scheme for cadets, with significant contributions from industry, and support from the
University of Nicosia. They emphasized the guaranteed on-board placements for cadets and the secured
employment positions for graduates of the Academy. Dr. Vlachos and Dr. Mavromoustakos then took
questions from the audience, which consisted of managers and executives from various shipping
companies, government officials and members of the press.
Our Institute would like once again to congratulate the University of Nicosia for this important endeavor
for Cyprus and extend our best wishes for every success to the Management, Staff and Students of
CyMA and reiterate our willingness to continue providing any support they may need in the future.
For more information, please visit the website of the Academy.