The University of Nicosia (UNIC) expresses its deep sadness at the death of Professor Andreas Polemitis, who played a major and catalytic role in the establishment and development of the University and was a pioneer in the field of university education in Cyprus.
Professor Andreas Polemitis passed away on the evening of December 15, 2022, the eve of his 80th birthday, after a four-week battle with the coronavirus.
In 1981, Professor Polemitis founded the Indiana Education Center (IEC), which offered degree programs together with the University of Indianapolis, based on his vision of establishing a university in Cyprus. IEC later merged with Intercollege and over the next forty years, through his role as Academic Dean of Intercollege and Senior Vice-Chancellor of the University of Nicosia, Professor Polemitis dedicated his life to the academic development of university education in Cyprus.
The University of Nicosia is currently the largest university in Cyprus and among the top ranked research universities in the world. Apart from the University of Nicosia, the Cypriot universities as a whole currently enroll almost 40,000 students, produce significant research work and account for approximately 5% of the country's GDP.
The Rector of the University of Nicosia, Professor Filippos Pouioutas said: "Professor Polemitis was a visionary academic, characterized by remarkable intelligence, wisdom, humility and kindness. They were given special respect and a lot of love by every member of our community. His vision, hard work and love for our organization laid foundation stones for the creation of the University. His enormous contribution to the success of the University is undeniable. He was one of the few people who had a vision for university education in Cyprus since the 80s and our country owes him a lot for his outstanding achievements.
«With his family of him, the University of Nicosia was the great love of his life. It is comforting that he managed to work for all that he loved until the last weeks of his life,” says Mr. Antonis Polemitis, Chief Executive Officer of the University of Nicosia.
Professor Andreas Polemitis was born on December 16, 1942 in Limassol. He studied Business Administration and Economics at the undergraduate and graduate levels at the American University of Beirut and received the Doctor of Business Administration title from the University of Indiana in the USA in 1970. Before founding the Indiana Education Center, he was the Director of the Department of Economics and of Planning at G. Paraskevaides Ltd and as Principal Planner of the Division of State Planning of the State of Indiana. He taught at the University of Nicosia, Indiana University, IUPUI, the University of Indianapolis and Intercollege.
In 2002 the University of Indianapolis awarded him an honorary Doctorate. He was President of the Cyprus Science Association and was a Fulbright Scholar, a James Edwards Fellow and an Eastman Kodak Scholar.
Professor Polemitis leaves behind a wife, son, daughter-in-law, grandson and sister.
< p> The funeral will be held on Monday, December 19, at the Holy Church of God Sophia in Strovolos, Nicosia, at 11:00 am. Burial will follow at the Agios Nikolaos Cemetery in Limassol at 2:00pm.
For everyone's safety, the family strongly requests that those who attend the funeral wear a protective mask inside the church. For the same reason, the family will not accept condolences. In lieu of wreaths, contributions will be made to PASYKAF (Pan Cypriot Association of Cancer Patients and Friends).
