Research Center

uol reseach center

Welcome to UoL Research Center

The University of Limassol (UoL) Research Center was established with a mission to drive scientific excellence and elevate the University’s research profile both locally and globally.

Recognizing the pivotal role of robust research in advancing academic, societal, and industrial progress, the Center is dedicated to fostering a vibrant research culture and developing projects that significantly contribute to the broader academic community and various industry sectors.

The Center also fosters a collaborative environment where researchers can share best practices and learn from one another. By guiding our researchers through the complexities of project management, from initial proposal to final implementation, the Center helps them navigate funding requirements, adhere to compliance standards, and achieve their research goals efficiently and effectively.

This structured support system not only enhances the quality and impact of our research projects but also empowers our researchers to excel in their academic and professional pursuits.

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Strategic Pillars

The Research Center operates on four strategic pillars that define its objectives and mission:

Research Funding Acquisition

Securing continuous funding is fundamental to the Research Center’s strategy. The Center actively participates in key funding programs to support the University’s extensive research initiatives and educational programs. At the European level, these include Horizon Europe, Erasmus+, CERV, Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions, Digital Europe, and the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF). Nationally, the Center engages with the Cyprus Research and Innovation Foundation and various regional development grants and tenders. By targeting these diverse funding sources, the Center facilitates projects across multiple disciplines and fosters a dynamic research environment.

Driving Innovation and Sustainability

Innovation is at the heart of the Research Center’s mission. The Center pursues forward-looking ideas that ensure the long-term sustainability of the University’s research and innovation actions. This involves fostering an environment that encourages creative thinking and the development of new technologies and methodologies. By prioritizing sustainability, the Center ensures that its research initiatives are not only cutting-edge but also viable and impactful over the long term. This commitment to innovation and sustainability helps maintain the University’s competitive edge and contributes to the global advancement of science and technology.

Cutting-Edge Project Implementation

The Research Center is committed to the successful implementation of cutting-edge projects that reflect the frontier research conducted at the University of Limassol. Our projects are designed to build bridges between UoL and the scientific community, industry sectors, and society at large. By leveraging the University’s academic strengths, the Center facilitates projects that push the boundaries of knowledge and technology, ensuring that UoL remains at the forefront of theoretical and practical advancements. This strategic focus not only enhances the University’s research output but also elevates its influence and reputation in the global academic landscape.

Forming Partnerships

The work of the Research Center is based on robust relations with academic, industry, and government partners both locally and globally. By participating in international consortia and research clusters, the Center tackles global challenges through collaborative efforts, leveraging diverse expertise and resources to amplify the impact of UoL’s research on the international stage. These collaborations epitomize UoL’s character as an extrovert and globally engaged academic institution; they enhance the University’s research output, facilitate knowledge exchange, and open new avenues for joint ventures and projects.

Contributing to the UoL Academic Ecosystem

In addition to its strategic pillars, the Research Center is dedicated to enriching the academic and research landscape in Cyprus and beyond. With its comprehensive approach to funding acquisition, project implementation, innovation, and partnership formation, the Center actively contributes to the development of a robust and dynamic academic ecosystem. This not only benefits the University of Limassol but also enhances the global academic community, positioning UoL as a leader in research and education.
The University of Limassol Research Center remains committed to driving excellence and innovation in research, ensuring that the University continues to make significant contributions to scientific knowledge, industry advancements, and societal improvement.

Meet the team

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Afxentis Afxentiou

Director of the Research Center
Dr. Afxentis Afxentiou (M) is the Academic Research Manager of the Research Center and a faculty member at the University of Limassol. He holds a BA in History and Politics (2012) and an MA in Global Politics and Law (2013), both from the University of Sheffield. His PhD thesis, completed at the University of Brighton, investigated the politics and ethics of drone warfare, with a particular focus on the historical context of state violence.
His current research interests include processes of democratization and the development of inclusive, sustainable, and just societies. Dr. Afxentiou has published extensively in international journals on topics related to international politics, security studies, political theory, and innovative pedagogical practices.
In addition to his academic background, Dr. Afxentiou has extensive experience in research projects’ design and implementation. He has been the principal investigator (PI) on several EU-funded projects, including those under Erasmus+, AMIF, COSME, CERV, and Horizon Europe. His interdisciplinary expertise is instrumental in his work at the Center, where he continues to explore the intersection of politics, social inclusion, and sustainable development. As the Academic Research Manager, he is responsible for identifying and assessing new funding opportunities to advance faculty research, advising faculty on planning, preparing, and writing competitive research grant proposals, ensuring compliance with grant regulations, and leading the strategic planning process of the Research Center.
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Annita Eliade

Senior Project Officer
Annita Eliade (F) is working as a Senior Project Manager at the University of Limassol, bringing an educational background with a BA in Early Childhood Education and an MA in Instructional Technology, both from the University of Cyprus. With a six-year tenure in private education, she was a head teacher specialized in using ICT in her practices in instructing children aged 2 to 6. 

Beyond her educational experience, Annita has three years of project management experience, in overseeing various EU-funded programs, including Erasmus+, the Asylum, Migration and Integration Fund (AMIF), and the Citizens, Equality, Rights and Values programme (CERV). In these roles, she managed the implementation, coordination and training aspects of projects focusing on pedagogy, children’s rights, gender discrimination, and adult education.

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Theognosia Petrou

Project Officer

Theognosia Petrou (F) is a Project Officer at UoL’s Research Department. Theognosia holds a Bachelor degree in Sociology from the University of Cyprus and a Graduate Diploma in Social Anthropology from Auckland University in New Zealand. She has obtained her Master Degree in Teaching English to people of Other Languages (TESOL) with Applied Linguistics at the University of Central Lancashire in Cyprus.

Theognosia has an extended experience in coordinating and implementing European projects. Her expertise is related to a variety of topics, such as social inclusion, gender equity, youth, migration, education and learning. Additionally, Theognosia has facilitated a number of seminars and got involved with topics in relation to sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR), sexual harassment, volunteering, corporate social responsibility (CSR) and youth work. On a voluntary basis, she had also carried out a number of experiential workshops at primary and secondary schools in Cyprus concerning school bullying and healthy relationships. She had her internship at the European Commission at the Directory General of Education and Culture in Belgium. Also, she has previously worked as a Social Welfare Officer at the Ministry of Social Welfare in Cyprus and as an English teacher, at a private English school in China.

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Demetra Kallitsi

Research Grants Development Officer

Demetra Kallitsi is currently the Research Grants Development Officer at the University of Limassol. She has 10 years experience in project management and 3 years experience in the development of funding applications for European and international projects mainly focusing on culture and creativity, social cohesion and reconciliation, active citizenship, environmental sustainability. She has collaborated with the Mind, Behavior and Development Unit (eMBeD Unit) of the World Bank for the implementation of behavioural change interventions (2019 – 2021) and was on the Board of Directors for Xarkis NGO and Artist Residency Coordinator for Xarkis MultiResidency and Festival (2017 – 2021). 

Kallitsi holds an MA in Fine Arts from The University of Brighton, UK, and a BA in Visual Arts from The University of Salford, Manchester, UK. She exhibited her work in solo and group exhibitions, performances, and short films; most notably at Haus der Statistik, Berlin, Spazju Kreattiv – National Centre for Creativity, Malta and at the European Capital of Culture 2018 – Valetta. She participated in residencies in Cyprus and Germany and has been awarded grants by the Deputy Ministry of Culture (2016). Her poetry has been featured in literary journals and art publications in Cyprus and Germany.

Awarded Grants

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Gender Equality Plan (GEP)

The GEP offers a comprehensive roadmap for gender equality. It’s implemented across university operations, from governance to research, and aims to eliminate gender bias and violence.

This plan adheres to the standards of the Horizon Europe Framework Programme for Research and Innovation (2021-2027).
The GEP is available for download here.
For more information, contact research@uol.ac.cy

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