The Cyprus Institute Mourns the Passing of Dr George Vassiliou

The Cyprus Institute is deeply saddened by the announcement of the passing of former President of the Republic of Cyprus, Dr George Vassiliou.
We mourn the loss of a visionary public servant and an exceptional leader whose legacy has profoundly shaped Cyprus’s modern history and whose steadfast commitment to knowledge, innovation, and international collaboration left an indelible mark on our institution and on the country he served.
Dr Vassiliou played a defining and pioneering role in the founding and development of The Cyprus Institute. He was among the very first, in 2002, to embrace and actively support the establishment of a new research and educational institution, dedicated to excellence in science for the benefit of Cyprus and the wider region. As a founding member of both the Cyprus Research and Educational Foundation (CREF, 2004) and The Cyprus Institute (2005), he worked closely with fellow founders to engage an outstanding international team of scholars, shape the Institute’s core vision, and coordinate the planning and establishment of these institutions.
His belief in the reinvigoration of the Cypriot economy through its transformation into a knowledge-based economy took tangible form during his presidency, notably through the establishment of the University of Cyprus and the Institute of Neurology and Genetics.
In 2024, The Cyprus Institute, in recognition of Dr Vassiliou’s exceptional service to Cyprus and his enduring contributions to our community, proudly conferred upon him an Honorary Doctoral Degree (Doctorate Honoris Causa).
On behalf of the Board of Directors and the entire Cyprus Institute community, we extend our deepest condolences to his family and to his friends and colleagues around the world. In tribute to his memory, the flags at The Cyprus Institute have been flying at half-mast since the announcement of his death and will remain so until his burial.
We will remember George Vassiliou not only for his historic achievements, but also for his generosity of spirit, his mentorship, and his unwavering conviction that science and knowledge can serve peace, progress, and humanity.
He was a visionary leader of Cyprus and a statesman of the highest European caliber.
May his memory be eternal, and may his example continue to inspire our work.