**University of Cyprus MBA Program Celebrates Excellence at the School of Economics and Management Awards Ceremony 2025-2026**
On June 29, 2026, the University of Cyprus held its School of Economics and Management Awards Ceremony to honor the exceptional achievements of students in the MBA Program for the academic year 2025-2026. The event recognized the hard work and dedication of students, showcasing their academic excellence and contributions to the field of business.
The ceremony featured the presentation of seven awards, which were made possible through the generous sponsorship of several prominent organizations, including Coca-Cola HBC Cyprus, PwC Foundation, Vassos Eliades Ltd, Grant Thornton Cyprus, Themis Portfolio Management Ltd, and Deloitte Cyprus. The MBA Program expressed its heartfelt gratitude to these sponsors for their ongoing support and commitment to fostering academic achievement.
Among the award recipients was Maria A. Polyviou, who received the Coca-Cola HBC Cyprus Award for being the top-performing student in the full-time MBA cohort. This accolade highlights Polyviou's dedication and academic prowess throughout her studies.
In a collaborative effort, the Coca-Cola HBC Cyprus Award for Best MBA Thesis was awarded to a group of students—Michalis Heracleides, George Hadjipanayi, Marina Maria Papageorgiou, Christina Patiniou, and Chloe Kalogirou—for their innovative dissertation titled “Green Hydrogen Production from Solar Curtailed Energy.” Their research reflects a commitment to sustainability and innovation in the energy sector.
The PwC Foundation Award, recognizing the top-performing student in the English-language Part-time MBA cohort, was presented to Andreas Panteli. Meanwhile, Panayiota Panagidou received the Vassos Eliades Ltd Award for her outstanding performance in the Greek-language Part-time MBA cohort.
In memory of the late Professor of Accounting Dr. Nikos Vafeas, the Grant Thornton Cyprus Award was given to Tasos Antonopoulos and Marios Clark for their exemplary performance in Accounting courses. Similarly, the Themis Portfolio Management Ltd Award, in memory of Professor of Finance Dr. Georgios Nissiotis, was awarded to Antonopoulos, Clark, and Georgia Loizou for their achievements in Finance courses.
Tasos Antonopoulos also received the Deloitte Cyprus Award for achieving the highest grade in the MBA 511 course, “Financial Accounting for Decision Making,” during the academic year. His multiple accolades underscore his academic excellence and commitment to his studies.
The MBA Program took this opportunity to congratulate all award recipients for their well-deserved honors, emphasizing that their achievements reflect the high academic standards of the program and their dedication to personal and professional growth.
Additionally, the ceremony highlighted the importance of scholarship support in enabling students to pursue their educational goals. The Stelios Philanthropic Foundation and Petrolina provided generous scholarships at the beginning of the academic year. The Stelios Philanthropic Foundation awarded three scholarships of €10,000 each to students Christina Christou, Maria Mousikou, and Tasos Antonopoulos. Petrolina contributed with a scholarship of €10,250 to Pantelis Petrou. These scholarships are designed to promote academic excellence and provide equal opportunities for talented students.
The University of Cyprus MBA Program remains committed to developing future business leaders equipped with knowledge, integrity, and leadership skills. By fostering strong partnerships with the business community, the program aims to benefit its students and contribute positively to society and the economy.
As the ceremony concluded, the MBA Program reaffirmed its dedication to excellence in education and its role in shaping the next generation of business professionals. The recognition of student achievements through awards and scholarships exemplifies the program's commitment to nurturing talent and fostering a culture of academic excellence.