Association for the Advancement of Assistive Technology in Europe), AAATE 2025

With a history that begins in 1990 in Maastricht, the Netherlands, the AAATE Conference takes place every two years, bringing together a diverse community of researchers, experts, educators and other professionals, manufacturers, assistive technology users, policymakers and accessibility providers, as well as all individuals who are committed to advancing the technology sector for an inclusive society.
The conference has two emphasis:

• Research Strand, which includes more scientific and research presentations,
• Practical part (Inclusion Forum), which includes sessions of an educational nature, sessions on Policy issues and sessions on  Innovation issues.

The speeches in the plenary session will be interpreted in Sign Language and subtitled in the language of the conference (English).
Ahead of the official launch of the AAATE 2025 conference,  an AccessibleEU European Workshop on Enhancing an accessible educational ecosystem is also being organised.
- Day: Tuesday, September 9, 2025
- Time: 09:00 – 14:30
- Venue: Cultural Centre, European University Cyprus
- Language: English
- Registration: Free
 

The 6th International Conference: “Literacies and Contemporary Society: From Skills to Practices”

The Cyprus Pedagogical Institute, Cyprus Ministry of Education, Sport and Youth, in collaboration with the University of Cyprus, organizes the 6th international conference: “literacies and contemporary society: from skills to practices”.
The conference will be held on 24-25 February 2026 at the “Filoxenia” Conference
Center in Nicosia, Cyprus, and has been included in the official activities of the Cyprus presidency of the Council of the European Union (January-June 2026).
Enhancing and broadening skills for individual participation in modern societies have been recognized as key issues. Contemporary political, social, and technological developments—such as multilingualism, cultural pluralism, and new technologies, including artificial intelligence- render new skills essential for managing the complexity of everyday life and the future of democratic states.
What are modern skills, and how can they be transformed into meaningful actions and practices within diverse social, cultural, and political contexts? The conference
situates literacy within its pluralistic and socio-political dimension: in its various forms, which relate to the wide range of human activities, education, and social organization.
The main purpose of the conference is to provide a forum for discussing issues related to literacies that emerge within constantly evolving educational, social, and cultural contexts.
The conference is a continuation of the previous five successful conferences, which
hosted many international participants through scientific presentations, symposia,
workshops, and parallel activities, establishing it as a significant institution in the
relevant European and international fields. In the framework of the Cyprus presidency of the council of the EU, the conference can serve as a starting point for updating the European vision regarding issues of literacies and education.
 

The assignment and operation of the Social Security Number (SSN) of Cypriot students in Greece

The Greek Ministry of Education, Sports, and Youth announced on April 4, 2024, that Cypriot students in Greece can now obtain a Social Insurance Registry Number (SIRN) as per the Greek government's directive. This follows the first Intergovernmental summit between Cyprus and Greece in November 2023, which resulted in this decision addressing a longstanding issue for Cypriot students in Greek universities. To acquire an SIRN, students need to present their ID/passport and a certificate of study from their university. Issuance is possible through the National Social Insurance Agency (EFKA) or the Citizen Service Centers (CSC) operating in Greece. The Ministry of Cyprus has expressed gratitude to the Greek Government for resolving this issue.

Scholarships from the Japanese Government (MEXT) for Cypriot citizens

The Ministry of Education, Sports, and Youth of Cyprus has announced the availability of scholarships from the Japanese Government (MEXT) for Cypriot citizens for the year 2025. These scholarships are intended for individuals seeking to pursue postgraduate or doctoral studies at Japanese universities, specifically targeting research students aiming to obtain a master’s or doctoral degree. Eligible candidates must have been born on or after April 2, 1990.
The deadline for submitting applications is set for June 7, 2024. Further details about the scholarships, including application procedures and requirements, can be found on the website provided in the announcement.
 

Global and intercultural dimensions in curriculum development

The founding laws of public universities provide for the admission of foreign students and the cooperation with foreign academic and scientific institutions. Moreover, Law 109 (I)/2005 on the establishment and operation of private universities provides for the provision, by every private university, of graduate and/or undergraduate education of a high standard that accepts international recognition.  

A number of recent developments have further enhanced the international dimension in curriculum development. These include the adoption of the three-level qualifications framework and the diploma supplement; offering, under certain preconditions, programmes in foreign languages by public universities; offering trans-university programmes of studies that are related to European programmes, such as the Erasmus Mundus Masters Courses; permitting private universities to offer programmes in Greek and/or a foreign language provided that it is stipulated in the University Charter; and, the decision of the Council of Ministers to introduce a National Qualifications Framework for Cyprus, in line with the QF for the EHEA. 

Partnerships and networks

Partnerships and networks that public and private universities establish with international institutes and organisations further enhance internationalisation in higher education. Main developments include the following:

● University of Cyprus:  The University is a member of the Community of Mediterranean Universities (CMU), the Network of Universities from the Capitals of Europe (UNICA), the Association of Commonwealth Universities (ACU), the European University Association(EUA), the Association of Arab and European Universities (AEUA), the International Association of Universities (IAU), the Santander Group (SG) and LEO-NET. It also maintains close contacts with numerous international organisations, including the European Commission, UNESCO, CEPES and the Council of Europe.
● The Open University of Cyprus.  The Open University has established contacts with various international organisations and networks, mainly in the area of open and distance learning, which include the following: The International Council for Open and Distance Education (ICDE), the European Distance and E-learning Network (EDEN), the European Association for ERASMUS Coordinators (EAEC), the European Association of Institutions in Higher Education (EURASHE), the European Forum for Student Guidance (FEDORA) and the European Office of Cyprus (EOC).
● The Cyprus University of Technology. The University of Technology has established links with the Mediterranean Universities Union (UNIMED), the European Association of Research Managers and Administrators (EARMA) and the European Quality Assurance Forum.
● European University-Cyprus. The European University Cyprus is a member of Laureate International Universities, a worldwide network of higher education institutions founded in 1998, in the United States.
● The University of Nicosia-Cyprus. The University of Nicosia-Cyprus has established the first UNESCO Chair in Cyprus, for the promotion of cultural diversity and intercultural dialogue. It is also a member of the European University Association (EUA).
● Frederick University. Frederick University is committed to fruitful partnership and cooperation with other educational institutions, industry, society, and government.
● The Cyprus Institute. Since its establishment, the Cyprus Institute has promoted the establishment of agreements between numerous world-class institutions, which are detailed in the institute’s website. 
● The Cyprus International Institute. The Cyprus International Institute for Environmental and Public Health has been established by the Harvard School for Public Health and the government of Cyprus to address key environmental issues in Cyprus and the Mediterranean region.