University of Nicosia

The University of Nicosia is the largest university in Cyprus with over 14,000 students, 300 full time faculty and 700 part time in a variety of undergraduate and post-graduate programmes in education, social sciences, computer science, engineering, business, communications, and multimedia. 28% of its student population are non-Cypriots, something that makes it a multicultural institution where diversity and pluralism are valued. The University of Nicosia is a leading contributor to excellence in education and research.

Its mission is (a) the promotion of science, knowledge, learning and education, through teaching and research for the benefit of society; (b) the cultivation, transmission, application and inter-disciplinary exchange of knowledge, and (c) the provision of high-quality undergraduate and graduate education that is internationally recognised, and of other programmes of study, which are of an international standard. Cutting-edge research is carried out in the areas of education, technology, sustainability, health, complex networks, and social organisation. The university is one of the most innovative in the region and has extensive experience in online education. State-of-the-art premises and innovative e-learning platform that provides access to extensive online learning resources help foster a multicultural learning environment that promotes cooperation, friendship and understanding.

The University of Nicosia’s high-quality and dynamic international teaching and research staff bring innovative knowledge into the classroom, emanating from significant international and local collaboration projects. The UMultirank University ranking system places The University of Nicosia high in the clusters of Teaching/Learning, Internationalisation, and Engagement with Society. Similarly, The University of Nicosia received the highest rating (5 QS Stars) by the QS Intelligence Unit in the fields of: Teaching, Facilities, Inclusiveness, Social Responsibility, and Internationalisation, while also becoming the first university in the EU to be recognised with a 5-Star rating for Online/Distance Learning.

Faculty at the Department of Education served as coordinators and work package leaders in a large number of funded projects. The Department has demonstrated strong expertise in science, technology, mathematics education, and intercultural education, which has led to the development of a wide knowledge base and expertise in terms of research output and project management. Faculty members apply their expertise, derived from addressing local, regional and national concerns, to key issues with global impact and develop teams to bring disciplinary strengths together to approach such issues. The faculty has been engaged in organising large research and teacher conferences in Cyprus, including the ESERA and EARLI international conferences. Department of Education is involved in teacher professional development in issues pertaining to science, technology, mathematics and 21st century skills. Teacher Academy project “SciLMi, Meta-Scientific Literacies in the (Mis-)Information Age” (2023-2026) aims to provide training to pre-and in-service teachers that will foster their competencies for supporting students’ meta-scientific skills, such as digital competencies, critical thinking around socio-scientific issues etc. Another Teacher Academy project, ProSTEM, focuses on teacher professional development and networking of STEM teachers across Europe. ACT-Di-V (2022-2024) is an Erasmus+ Key Action II project which aims to promote active and responsible citizenship through dialogue and argumentation. Virtual communities of practice support teachers during the implementation of relevant toolkits. Finally, Horizon 2020 DIALLS project offered a professional development programme to teachers of three educational levels that aimed to support them in implementing dialogic and argumentative practices. This expertise and experience allow the research team to develop programmes for higher education (undergraduate and graduate level), mathematics and science education and technology, initial teacher education and in-service teacher education in mathematics and science, and for elementary and secondary school students.

Key persons in LIFT project

Dr Maria Vrikki is a postdoctoral researcher and part-time lecturer with extensive experience on the Lesson Study model. Maria has worked on two large-scale research projects that aimed to implement the model in the practices of in-service mathematics teachers (with the University of Cambridge and with the University of Cyprus). Maria has presented her work at national and international conferences and has published it widely. Also, Maria was a keynote speaker at the 2023 WALS (World Association of Lesson Studies) conference.

Dr Maria Evagorou is an Associate Professor in Science Education at the University of Nicosia, Cyprus. Her research focuses on exploring and enhancing students’ argumentation and system thinking skills within science education with the use of technology. Maria has published in refereed journals and books and is currently editing a Springer book on socioscientific argumentation. Dr Evagorou has participated in EU funded projects on argumentation [DIALLS/ H2020], on socio-scientific issues [PreSSES/ Comenius & Engage/FP7).

Dr Christiana Karousiou is an Assistant Professor in Educational Leadership and Management. She holds a PhD in Education, and her research interests include educational policy with a particular emphasis on teachers’ continuing professional development, teachers’ professional identities, school improvement and qualitative research methods. She was the keynote speaker in pedagogical seminars, and she presented work related to her research interests in academic journals and conferences.

Contact information

Dr Maria Vrikki vrikki.m[at]unic.ac.cy

University of Nicosia https://www.unic.ac.cy