Cyprus–UK deal promotes academic ties and global career paths

National investment promotion agency Invest Cyprus and the British Council on Wednesday announced that they have entered into a strategic partnership.

According to an official statement, the partnership aims at promoting transnational education and enhancing Cyprus’ appeal as a destination for international education and foreign investment.

The two organisations signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) in Nicosia on April 29.

The MoU formalised their collaboration, seeking to strengthen educational ties between Cyprus and the United Kingdom and align academic cooperation with the island’s economic priorities.

The MoU was signed by Marios Tannousis, Chief Executive Officer of Invest Cyprus, and Anastasia Andritsou, Country Director of the British Council for Greece and Cyprus.

The agreement sets out a structured framework of cooperation between the two bodies.

The British Council will take the lead on academic and regulatory matters, including project delivery and institutional engagement.

Invest Cyprus will focus on commercial dimensions such as business setup, taxation, labour regulation and liaising with relevant government departments.

Through this coordinated approach, the partnership aims to encourage the formation of transnational education programmes between Cypriot and UK higher education institutions, support their implementation, and promote Cyprus as an education hub through joint events and regional fairs.

Andritsou mentioned that the agreement reflects a shared commitment to supporting students and preparing them for global employment.

“Through this collaboration, the British Council is proud to support Cyprus in providing students with access to world-class education and diverse career opportunities,” she said.

“By fostering strong partnerships that align educational pathways with industry needs, we are empowering and equipping students with the skills necessary to excel in a global workforce,” she added.

On his part, Tannousis stressed the importance of the agreement for Cyprus’ broader strategy to attract foreign investment and nurture talent.

“This partnership represents a critical step in reinforcing our country’s strategic position as a hub for investment and innovation,” he stated.

“By aligning educational initiatives with industry demands, we are ensuring that the talent pool remains competitive, competent, and capable of meeting the needs of global markets,” he added.

The MoU also includes post-partnership support, such as business networking events and discussion forums to deepen institutional engagement.

Both organisations said the initiative will help build a talent pipeline to serve high-demand sectors and strengthen Cyprus’ positioning as a destination that combines academic quality with economic opportunity.