Visit of the Ambassador of Japan to Cyprus, Mr.Yamawaki Yoshio, to Neapolis University Pafos

Neapolis University Pafos had the distinct honour of welcoming the Japanese Ambassador to the Republic of Cyprus, Mr. Yamawaki Yoshio, to its premises on Thursday, 29 May 2025. This official visit reaffirmed the ongoing commitment to strengthening ties between Japan and the Cypriot academic community.

During the visit, the Ambassador was given a guided tour of the University’s facilities and engaged in substantive discussions with the Rector, Professor Pantelis Sklias and Dr. Thomas-Nektarios Papanastasiou. The dialogue focused on exploring further prospects for academic cooperation, and both parties exchanged views on the challenges and opportunities in higher education. The importance of international collaboration in advancing academic excellence and scientific innovation was emphasised.

This visit is part of the long-standing and significant collaboration between Neapolis University Pafos and the Embassy of Japan. A notable example of this cooperation is the Special Bibliographic Support Unit for Japanese Culture, which was established in 2020 with the support of the Nippon Foundation under the READ JAPAN initiative. This initiative provides students and researchers in Cyprus with access to a valuable collection of academic material dedicated to Japanese culture, institutions, and international relations.

Moreover, the University’s School of Law has established itself as a trusted partner in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan’s MIRAI international scholarship programme. Under the coordination of Dr Thomas-Nektarios Papanastasiou, Associate Professor of International Law, students from the School have been selected in recent years to participate in academic missions to Japan, thereby fostering intercultural dialogue and international academic exchange.

Mr Yamawaki Yoshio’s presence at the university marks a milestone in the ongoing effort to strengthen relations between Cyprus and Japan in the field of higher education, and paves the way for new partnerships between the two countries’ academic and research institutions.