UCYMBA_Student_Introductions_2020_3

Meet members of the Class
that started in Fall 2020
PART III

www.mba.ucy.ac.cy

INTRODUCTION
A new class joined the MBA Program at the University of Cyprus in September 2020. The students
admitted were chosen through a competitive selection and join the proud UCYMBA community.
We are particularly pleased with the diversity of the incoming group in terms of gender, nationality (12
different nationalities are represented), educational background and area of professional work.
Students’ educational backgrounds range from all fields of Engineering (Civil & Environmental,
Electrical & Computer, Industrial, Mechanical) to Law, from Business (Accounting, Finance,
Management Sciences) and Economics to Social Sciences (Education, Political Science, Psychology,
Sociology) and Sports Science, from Pure & Applied Sciences (Actuarial Science, Biology, Chemistry,
Computer Science, Mathematics) to Humanities (Philosophy, Literature and Foreign Languages) and
Fine Arts. A sizable proportion, ~30%, of the incoming students hold postgraduate degrees in their
respective fields – in some cases multiple degrees or additional professional diplomas. They work in a
wide spectrum of fields that span all sectors of the economy: banking and financial services, consulting,
legal practice, information technology, engineering and construction, logistics, commerce and trade,
energy and utilities, as well as in other public organizations. This very broad diversity enriches
opportunities for lively discussions in the classrooms and cross-fertilization of experiences and ideas
through collaborative work.
The members of the incoming class were invited to introduce themselves in their own words, if they so
wished, and share their messages with the community. This booklet (3rd in a related series) presents
personal introductions contributed by members of all cohorts of the incoming class.
We extend a warm welcome to all newcomers and wish each and every one success in their studies and
fulfillment of their aspirations for professional advancement and personal development.

The Management Team (MBA-Codirectors)
Professors Leonidas C. Leonidou, Nikos Vafeas, Hercules Vladimirou

Contact Information:
MBA Program
School of Economics and Management
University of Cyprus
1, University Avenue
2109 Aglantzia, Nicosia, Cyprus

Tel: +357 22893600, 22893630, 22893632
Email: [email protected]
Web: www.mba.ucy.ac.cy

www.mba.ucy.ac.cy

Meet the Class entering in Sept. 2020

NAME: Kypriana Antoniou

NATIONALITY: Cypriot
EDUCATION:
• BSc in Electrical Engineering, University of Cyprus, Cyprus

PERSONAL INTRODUCTION
My name is Kypriana Antoniou; I am from Limassol, Cyprus.
I graduated from the Department of Electrical Engineering of the University of Cyprus. In the last year
of my undergraduate studies, I took the class “Entrepreneurship and Innovation” offered in the
Business School. This class helped me and my team take 3rd place in the “Junior Achievement Startup
Competition”. This achievement helped me to decide that I want to expand my knowledge beyond
Engineering also in Business Administration and base my future career on the combination of these
disciplines. I am interested to engage with businesses that provide Power and Energy systems. Hence,
I applied to the UCYMBA program. When I started searching for a master’s degree, and I read about
the UCYMBA program, I instantly knew I wanted to participate in such an inspiring and challenging
course, aiming to enrich my knowledge. I believe the dual engineering-management background will
provide me the appropriate skills to succeed in my future goals.

www.mba.ucy.ac.cy

Meet the Class entering in Sept. 2020

NAME: Joanna Argyrou

NATIONALITY: Cypriot

EDUCATION:
• BA, Primary Education, University of Cyprus

CURRENT POSITION:
➢ Human Resources Administrator, The Landmark Nicosia, Cyprus

PERSONAL INTRODUCTION
I am a Primary Education graduate of the University of Cyprus. I am an ambitious, goal-oriented, and dedicated
individual who always embraces new challenges to develop and learn.
What mainly motivated me to pursue the MBA degree was my work experience. I have been working full-time in the
hotel industry since the early stages of my undergraduate studies. I started there as a Guest Service Agent/
Receptionist and after two years, I was promoted to the position of Human Resources Administrator. Through my
work, I gained a thorough insight into the operations of an international company and developed professional skills
in a diverse multicultural environment. Even though I had only three years of experience in business, I was trusted
to act as Project Manager in a very important project which involved the development and adjustment of our
hotel's GDPR procedures and policies. I was delighted to receive the company’s employee of the year award in
2019, in recognition of my contributions to the successful completion of this project, as well as my performance, in
general.
Nevertheless, I do believe that there is still a lot more to learn. That is why I chose the MBA program, which I am
sure will provide me the right foundation in order to achieve my goal, which is to excel in a business career –
specifically, in risk management. I am fascinated by the challenges of proactively identifying potential risks,
analyzing them, and charting plans to meet them in business settings; I am most excited to learn risk management
methods and eager to seek career opportunities that will enable me to apply them in practice.
My hobbies include dancing, diving, art, and literature. Travelling is a must in my life; I would like to explore the
whole world one day.
I look forward to what this year will bring!

www.mba.ucy.ac.cy

Meet the Class entering in Sept. 2020

NAME: Andreas Demetriou

NATIONALITY: Cypriot AGE: 32

EDUCATION:

• MSc in Advanced Computer Science, (2013),
The University of Manchester, United Kingdom

• BSc in Computer Science, (2012),
The University of Manchester, United Kingdom

CURRENT / RECENT POSITION:

➢ Director of Operations and Shared Services (April 2019 - present)
MindGeek, Cyprus

➢ Data Analysis Manager (November 2014 – March 2019)
MindGeek, Cyprus

PERSONAL INTRODUCTION

I am a Data Analysis professional with excellent data mining, cleaning, and processing skills, as well as being an
accomplished communicator with first class report writing skills. Over the years, I have gained extensive knowledge,
exceptional understanding and solid practical experience in data collection methodologies, principles and
techniques, as well as in Fraud and Loss prevention practices that help companies to protect their resources and
safeguard their profitability.

I am an alum of The University of Manchester with an MSc in Advanced Computer Science (2013) and a BSc (Hons) in
Computer Science (2012).

I currently work for MindGeek as Director of Operations and Shared Services.

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/andreas-demetriou-10774811a/
Email: [email protected]

www.mba.ucy.ac.cy

Meet the Class entering in Sept. 2020

NAME: Panayiotis Demosthenous

NATIONALITY: Cypriot
EDUCATION:
• BA, Political Science - Politics, University of Cyprus, Cyprus
CURRENT POSITIONS
➢ Coordinator, Goal in Life (youth club), Cyprus

PERSONAL INTRODUCTION

I am a Political Science graduate of the University of Cyprus. I am keenly interested in current social and political affairs, in
football and coaching, and in volunteerism and its promotion. Currently, I am the Coordinator of the youth club of the
Non-Governmental Organization of Cypriot footballers ‘Goal in Life’, which promotes the values of sports and fair play to
support and empower people suffering from economic or health issues.
During my undergraduate studies, I served as a student representative on the Council of the Faculty of Social Sciences and
Education of the University of Cyprus. From my studies, I gained valuable knowledge in different fields of politics, such as
in European Politics, External Policy, International Relations and in Political Theory. Moreover, through the experiences I
gained from internships with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, my service as a member of the Youth Parliament of Cyprus,
and my participation in a crisis management project in which we delved to study the problems of the occupation of
Jerusalem and propose means to alleviate them, I realised the importance of specialist skills in administration and
management.
Now, I want to extend my academic knowledge to a different level. Attending the MBA degree will help me develop the
appropriate practical skills and leadership abilities that are needed to successfully meet the challenges faced by young
professionals in today’s complex and competitive business world. In my opinion, a most beneficial aspect of this program
is that it teaches future managers how to keep informed and current in what happens in the modern business world, how
to constantly adopt suitable solutions to address arising problems, and how to push organizations forward towards more
innovative, entrepreneurial and profitable operations. I am very interest to pursue a career in management; one of my
long-term professional goals is to create my own business.

www.mba.ucy.ac.cy

Meet the Class entering in Sept. 2020

NAME: Litsa Efstathiou

NATIONALITY: Cypriot

EDUCATION:

• Bachelor, Communication and Internet Studies, Cyprus University of Technology,
Limassol, Cyprus

• Certificate of Achievement in Sabre (2017), Right ATTC (Aviation & Travel Training
Center), Nicosia, Cyprus

• Certificate of Achievement in Amadeus Course (2016), Right ATTC (Aviation & Travel
Training Center), Nicosia, Cyprus

PERSONAL INTRODUCTION
My name is Litsa Efstathiou and I live in Dali, Nicosia. I am a graduate of the Department of Communication and
Internet Studies of the Cyprus University of Technology. My studies made me realize that communication has wide
applications in different professions, since it is necessary for the smooth functioning of any organization. My studies
provided me with knowledge in different topics such as journalism, political communication, and sociology.
However, my interests have always been oriented on courses in advertising, marketing, and management. I
practiced and acquired some other traits, such as teamwork. I always value collaborations with groups of
classmates, realizing their importance for the successful completion of projects, and appreciating the diversity of
distinct personalities.

I have worked as a sales advisor in shops in the fashion industry. Those experiences allowed me to improve both my
communication skills, as well as my confidence in decision making. I feel that the internships I completed have
prepared me to enter the workplace with greater confidence. As a member of an advertising company, I
participated in meetings with clients, and had opportunities to be involved in idea generation and strategy
development processes. As a result, I improved my organizational skills, and I also learned how to work effectively
under pressure and to accept responsibilities.

In my free time, I tried to expand my horizons and explore interests to see what I like the most. Out of curiosity, I
attended classes for the travel and tourism industry, and got certified for the ticketing programs Amadeus and
Sabre. In these courses I learned how travel agencies work, and how important it is to know the cultural background
and policies of each country. This summer I attended a makeup course, as I have been very interested in the subject
from a young age. The course was delightful and broadened my creativity – it gave me opportunities to use my own
initiative and be more confident about my abilities.

I chose to study the MBA program because it is directly related to my academic interests and my professional
aspirations. I am sure that I will get valuable insights to every aspect of business and be able to target my career
choices for the future. I look to gain knowledge in the fields of business organization and management. I am very
interested to learn how to identify potential risks and weaknesses that may arise in an organization and learn how
to develop appropriate crisis management plans. Moreover, I would like to learn more about the economic cycles
that impact entire business sectors, as well as about effective management of financial resources in the rapidly
changing business environment.

With the theoretical and practical knowledge offered by this postgraduate program, I will be able to better
understand the modern business world and acquire that skills that will allow me to progress to a managerial
position in the future; the program will help me evolve and develop both professionally and personally.

www.mba.ucy.ac.cy

Meet the Class entering in Sept. 2020

NAME: Cristhian Grande

NATIONALITY: Peruvian AGE: 32

EDUCATION:

• BSc - Industrial Engineering (2010), Universidad Nacional Mayor de San
Marcos, Perú

• Specialization - Supply Chain Management (2013), IPAE Business School, Perú
• Specialization - Purchase Management in the International Markets (2016), Esan

Graduate School of Business, Perú

CURRENT / RECENT POSITIONS:

➢ Negotiation Manager, MIBANCO SA, Lima, Perú
➢ Supply Planner, GAZEL PERU S.A.C., Lima, Perú

PERSONAL INTRODUCTION

Hi, I am Cristhian. I am 32 years old and I am from Peru. I hold a degree in Industrial Engineering, and I
worked in logistics and operations for about 12 years; for the last 3 years I have been working in the
Negotiations Department of a Bank in Peru that assists small businesses across the country. I reached a point
where I want to prepare myself for a higher level in my professional development, so I decided to study
abroad. I traveled a lot all over Peru. At some point, I started travelling in Europe; during my travels I visited
Cyprus three times; so, the island is not unfamiliar to me.

The University of Cyprus has an impressive reputation in the country, and this program is very well
structured. This motivated me to pursue my MBA studies here, aiming to expand my skillsets and take the
next step in my career.

If anyone wants to know me a little more, you can reach me on Twitter or Instagram as Xtiang1. Spanish
is my native language; I also speak English and I have started studying Greek.

Regards

www.mba.ucy.ac.cy

Meet the Class entering in Sept. 2020

NAME: Constantinos Hadjicostas

NATIONALITY: Cypriot AGE: 26

EDUCATION:

• BA, Education, (2018), University of Cyprus
• MA, Physical Education, (2020), University of Cyprus

CURRENT / RECENT POSITIONS:

➢ Customer Service Officer, Eurolife, Cyprus (Recent)
➢ Customer Service Officer, Ethniki Insurance, Cyprus (Current)

PERSONAL INTRODUCTION

I am Constantinos Hadjicostas, and I have completed my Master degree in Education. During my studies, I attended
courses on management and human resources from an educational perspective. It was at that point that I developed a
strong interest to pursue further studies in this direction. During my undergraduate studies, I set up a small company to
design, implement and market websites; it started as a hobby and soon became my job.

At the completion of my undergraduate studies I started working in the insurance industry, and I had the chance to work
for Eurolife, Universal Life and now at Ethniki. On the basis of my work experience in the insurance industry and my prior
studies in Education, I find the MBA programme engaging, most suitable and fitting for my career objectives.

From the UCYMBA program, I am looking to gain knowledge and management experience and to learn the skills required
to maintain a company’s internal health and growth. I want to explore the means by which organizations develop the
right culture, adopt modern administration structures, and achieve efficient utilization of their resources. I look forward
to using this knowledge to advance my career toward a managerial position, and possibly establishing another business
that combines my studies with my personal interests and hobbies.

www.mba.ucy.ac.cy

Meet the Class entering in Sept. 2020

NAME: Phanis Ioannou

NATIONALITY: Cypriot AGE: 28

EDUCATION:

• BSc, Mathematics (2014) – University of Southampton, UK
• MSc, Risk and Stochastics (2015) – London School of Economics, UK

CURRENT / RECENT POSITIONS:

➢ Quantitative Risk Analyst, USS Investment Management, London, UK
➢ Senior Quantitative Specialist, S&P Global Ratings, London, UK
➢ Senior Quantitative Advisor, EY, Nicosia, Cyprus
➢ Risk Modeling Manager, RCB Bank Ltd, Limassol, Cyprus (Current)

PERSONAL INTRODUCTION

Hi everybody,

My name is Phanis Ioannou. I have 5 years of professional experience in the sector of financial services as a Quantitative
Modeler.

I started my professional career from Investment Management Market and Portfolio Risk, to Credit Rating Agency, then
Financial Services Risk Management Consulting and now Banking. The focus of my work has been the development and
validation of risk quantification methodologies, through application of mathematical and statistical modelling techniques
and utilization of programming languages for analysis and implementation of these methodologies. Throughout my career,
I had the opportunity to work in several locations like London UK, Dubai UAE and now Cyprus.

I have recently moved to a managerial position in the Risk Management Department of RCB Bank Ltd, which is what has
brought me to this exciting pursuit of a prestigious MBA degree.

During my free time I like exercising, playing football and socializing with friends.

www.mba.ucy.ac.cy

Meet the Class entering in Sept. 2020

NAME: Alexia Irakleous

NATIONALITY: Cypriot
EDUCATION:
• BSc, Human Biology, Queen Margaret University, Scotland
RECENT POSITIONS:
➢ Assistant, Save the Children, Scotland
➢ Advisor, Citizens Advice Bureaux, Scotland

PERSONAL INTRODUCTION
I am Alexia Irakleous, and I am from Limassol. I hold a BSc degree in Human Biology from Queen Margaret
University in Edinburgh, Scotland. I graduated from the university with a First-class honours, and I have trained for a
course on Mental Health Aid whilst also volunteering in various organisations. I decided to pursue the MBA at the
University of Cyprus as I believe it will both challenge and broaden my knowledge and skills, and boost my career
opportunities.
Hobbies/Interests: Music/Guitar/Cooking/Reading/Travelling/Social Media/Blood Donor
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alexia-irakleous-553229129/

www.mba.ucy.ac.cy

Meet the Class entering in Sept. 2020

NAME: Marsia Kalotheou

NATIONALITY: Cypriot

EDUCATION:
• Bachelor’s Degree (2019), Law, University of Cyprus

CURRENT / RECENT POSITION:
➢ Lawyer, Marilou Pavlou Christodoulides LLC, Cyprus

PERSONAL INTRODUCTION
My name is Marsia Kalotheou and I am a law (LLB) graduate of the University of Cyprus. I was recently admitted to
the Cyprus Bar Association, having ranked in 6th place in the Cyprus Bar Association Exams this year. As a Lawyer, I
specialize in corporate and commercial services law, particularly in relation to company and business acquisitions
and sales, corporate reorganizations and restructuring. I had my training in a well-known law firm that handles legal
cases in diverse areas.
I would characterize myself as a highly motivated and enthusiastic person. I enjoy learning new skills, and I always
pursue my obligations with commitment and zeal. I am very keen on excelling in my career as a Lawyer; my passion
drove my decision to follow the specific field. I am a passionate individual who continually seeks to improve, to
develop and grow professionally; I always enjoy participating in seminars and events. As an active person who likes
to keep a balance in life, I spend some time exercising by participating in a volleyball team.
I genuinely believe that a postgraduate course in Business Administration (MBA) is the best developmental step at
the current stage of my career because it covers a wide range of subjects in which I am very interested. This master’s
degree will provide me the necessary knowledge to help me hone my skills in management and leadership, and
expand my knowledge in other associated fields such as Human Recourses, Economics, Statistics, Operations, etc.
Furthermore, I believe that the MBA degree will be an essential differentiating qualification for the achievement of
my goals. It offers me an ideal opportunity to develop the necessary skills, to gain valuable knowledge, and to
formally familiarize myself with all aspects of managing a business. I view the skills that I will acquire from my MBA
studies as a solid foundation to support my aspirations for career advancement in my profession as a lawyer, and
allow me to competently pursue senior positions as a Manager or as a Head of a Legal Department. Finally, in my
plans, after I gain more extensive experience, I wish to establish my own law firm, focusing primarily on corporate
and commercial law. The MBA degree will certainly equip me with a wide range of essential and practical knowledge
that will contribute substantially in my path toward reaching my professional goals.

https://www.facebook.com/marcia.kalothaiou

Meet the Class entering in Sept. 2020

NAME: Paraskevas Koliandris

NATIONALITY: Cypriot

EDUCATION:
• Diploma, Culinary Arts, Higher Hotel Institute of Cyprus
• BA, Culinary Arts Management, University of Birmingham, United Kingdom

PERSONAL INTRODUCTION

My name is Paraskevas Koliandris. I hold a BA degree in Culinary Arts Management from the University of
Birmingham. I am an ambitious person with work experience in the hospitality industry. Through my work, I had the
chance to broaden my horizons and work with upscale hotels such as the Sunrise Hotel, the Alion Hotel and the
Four Seasons Hotel in Limassol.
I won the first prize in the “22nd Culinary Competition of the Higher Hotel Institute”. I also participated in the "11th
International Culinary Competition Southern Europe" winning two silver medals. I am passionate with my job and I
always try to expand my knowledge in all aspects of the hospitality industry.
I seek to study “Business Administration” to further develop my knowledge. Through my studies, I aim to further
learn how businesses operate and then be able to apply my knowledge in practice. I have chosen to study the
postgraduate MBA programme so as to expand my professional network, as well as to develop my skills of planning,
personnel and project management and evolve my leadership and influencing skills. My preferred career plan is to
manage my own dining establishment.
I decided to continue my studies at the University of Cyprus because of its reputation and the renowned faculty who
teach in the MBA programme. Appreciating the quality of studies provided by the University of Cyprus, I am
confident that the MBA Programme will offer effective instruction and high level of knowledge. My strong appetite
for hard work, my desire for acquisition of further knowledge and professional specialization, combined with the
high-quality of the programme, are undoubtedly key ingredients for success.

Meet the Class entering in Sept. 2020

NAME: Theofanis Kosta

NATIONALITY: Cypriot AGE: 25

EDUCATION:

• BEng, Computer Engineering (Networks-Programming), University of Cyprus

CURRENT POSITIONS

➢ Director of Finance and Administration, Youth Democratic Rally (NEDISY), Cyprus
➢ Data Analyst, Unicaf Organization

PERSONAL INTRODUCTION

After completing my undergraduate studies, and from my initial work placements in the business world, I
realized that prospects for a successful professional career require, apart from technical scientific
knowledge, solid business and social skills. This is what I hope to gain from the MBA program.

During my studies, I maintained active involvement in multiple activities, both academic and
extracurricular. I served as student representative on the Council of the Department of Electrical and
Computer Engineering, as well as on the Council of the School of Engineering. I also served on the Student
Council (FEPAN) of the University of Cyprus, of which I was the Chairman during the last year of my studies.
Furthermore, I served on various other committees of the University, and I represented the student body
on other fora outside the university. After the completion of my studies, I was elected to the position of
Director of Finance and Management of NEDISY. These experiences convinced me to pursue graduate
studies in business administration.

To me, the practice of Engineering requires the capability to understand problems, break them down into
constituent components and use structural thinking to find effective solutions. I consider the MBA program
as the best choice to follow, as it will lead me to learn the modern management methods which will, in
turn, provide a solid foundation for a professional career in business. All in all, in my opinion, studying the
MBA program will be an effective starting point to new educational and professional horizons and a
springboard to excel in engineering practice and in the business world.

www.mba.ucy.ac.cy

Meet the Class entering in Sept. 2020

NAME: Joseph Oluwashola Kunmi

NATIONALITY: Nigerian AGE: 32

EDUCATION:
• Degree, (2012), Mechanical Engineering, Federal Polytechnic Offa, Nigeria

CURRENT POSITION:
➢ Sales/Business Analyst, FMCG, Nigeria

PERSONAL INTRODUCTION

My name is Joseph Oluwashola Kunmi. I am from Nigeria – the most populous country in Africa, a country of hope and
diversity of culture. Our major languages are Yoruba, Hausa, and Igbo; however, English is our official language. I speak
Yoruba and Hausa, as well as English. I studied Mechanical Engineering and I also achieved several certificates through
online courses to enrich my training.

I am a Sales Analyst. My duties as a sales analyst involved the collection of sales data for the company, data cleaning,
interpretation, and visualization. Through my work I developed valuable professional skills, such as, team management
and staff leadership; data modelling, analysis, and reporting; strong verbal and written communication skills; proficiency
in use of personal productivity software; innovative strategies.

I am a responsible and hard-working person; I think that my enthusiasm and dedication are my strong points. My goal is
to study hard, expand my learning, and apply the ideas and skills I acquire to impact my society. My friends find me
interesting, sociable, with a good sense of humour. I draw a lot of energy from meeting people who support my efforts to
grow and develop my skills, not only in my studies and work but also in my hobbies. I value friendship and appreciate
people with whom I collaborate. I become easily very comfortable with people I meet. I like exchanging ideas and sharing
new experiences with friends and colleagues. My hobbies are reading and traveling.

My goal in my MBA studies is to develop further so as to be able to contribute toward making my society a better place to
live, starting with positive changes in myself. My life experiences shaped me to who I am: grateful, loving, with a desire to
positively impact others’ lives, as I believe this will help me become a respected person and improve my quality of life.
With what I have achieved so far, I know that I am on the right path and I will do my best to inspire others to pursue their
personal goals.

Lastly, I am very glad to share some happy news. The same week that I received my admission offer to the MBA program,
my wife delivered our first baby (Olive). So, I consider the arrival of my baby girl concurrently with my admission to
UCYMBA as very hopeful signs for a new beginning.

Facebook: https://web.facebook.com/joseph.o.kunmi LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joseph-kunmi-154584b7/

www.mba.ucy.ac.cy

Meet the Class entering in Sept. 2020

NAME: NICOLETTA KYRIACOU

NATIONALITY: CYPRIOT AGE: 27

EDUCATION:

• MSc (2015), Construction Management, University of Birmingham, UK
• BEng (2014), Civil Engineering, University of Birmingham, UK

CURRENT POSITION:
➢ Engineering Consultant, ALUMIL, Cyprus

PERSONAL INTRODUCTION

Hello Everybody!

I am Nicoletta. I hold an MSc in Construction Management and a BEng in Civil Engineering from the
University of Birmingham.

My early career began right after my studies when I was employed as a site engineer in Cyprus.
Subsequently, I accepted an offer from an aluminum supplier company for the position of Engineering
Consultant. While working at ALUMIL CY, I was exposed to various business concepts and became
curious about how the market works and how to run a business. Though my prior academic studies
are not related to business administration, the four-year long work experience I gained in the industry
made me realize that, in order to strengthen my potential for a managerial career, a Master’s in
Business Administration would be an ideal complement to my technical background. In my MBA
studies I look to sharpen my managerial and soft skills through analyzing real life business problems
and working with peers from various fields. I strongly believe that an MBA degree is the perfect
professional qualification for an engineer who seeks to achieve higher-level managerial positions in
her career in a competitive market.

My immediate future goal is to acquire the necessary knowledge, skills, and proficiency in
management subjects, and earn the academic qualification to be competitive for managerial positions.

In terms of hobbies, I am a member of a dance crew; we participate in dance competitions in Cyprus
and in Europe.

I look forward to meeting all of my classmates and making the most of my MBA studies at the
University of Cyprus.

www.mba.ucy.ac.cy

Meet the Class entering in Sept. 2020

NAME: Maria Lysioti

NATIONALITY: Cyprus
EDUCATION:
• BSc, Psychology, University of Liverpool, United Kingdom
CURRENT POSITION:
➢ Teacher, The Magic Playtown Kindergarten and Kids Club

PERSONAL INTRODUCTION

I have always been passionate about life, always seeking new opportunities. The experiences I did not hesitate to be
a part of, helped me explore the world from different perspectives. As I progressed in my undergraduate studies, I
gained enough knowledge to understand human behavior. I find human behavior both complex, as well as
fascinating. Human Behavior refers to the full range of physical and emotional behaviors that humans engage in,
which are influenced by culture, attitudes, emotions, values, ethics, authority, rapport, persuasion, coercion, and
genetics. I believe that the skills coming from understanding human behavior provide a very important advantage
that one can bring to business settings, as every company seeks to strengthen relationships, not only with
customers but, especially, within the entire community of its personnel.

During my studies, I had the great opportunity to get involved in the design of a new Master's program in Health
Psychology at the University of Liverpool. Through this experience, I have improved my organizational skills, learned
to work effectively under pressure, and studied important matters concerning health promotion, behavioral change,
interventions, fundamental issues in health psychology, such as medical sociology, medical ethics, behavioral
medicine, health policy and health economics.

The most rewarding step for me, was when I decided to start my own company in the UK. After intense research, I
managed to create an organic remedy for sleeping disorders using herbs which have been found to act on the
nervous system. Creating my own company was the most important achievement of my young career, as it made
me realize that this is exactly what I have been looking for. The more I learned about business, the more I knew it
was the way forward for me. I am full of excitement to dive further into the details of running a successful company
and I am confident that the MBA program of the University of Cyprus is the most suitable choice for me, as it will
provide me all the essentials needed to accomplish a successful career in business.

I am ready to enhance my knowledge and I could not be more grateful to be a part of such an incredibly
professional team!

www.mba.ucy.ac.cy [email protected] @lyshioti

Meet the Class entering in Sept. 2020

NAME: Artemis Prodromou
NATIONALITY: Cypriot
EDUCATION:
• BA, Turkish and Middle Eastern Studies, University of Cyprus
CURRENT / RECENT POSITIONS:
➢ Sales Advisor, Ermes Group, 2017-2019, Nicosia
➢ Sales Advisor, Voici La Mode, 2019-2020, Nicosia
➢ Administrative Assistant, Apollonion Hospital, 2020-present, Nicosia

PERSONAL INTRODUCTION

When I graduated from the Turkish and Middle Eastern Studies Department of the University of
Cyprus, I realized that my interests had changed, they had evolved. What I really want to achieve is
a career in business administration. I felt that studying the MBA program would be the perfect way
to round out my business acumen, acquire holistic understanding of business functions, and develop
my leadership skills. My work experience was the motivating factor in my decision. The prestige
of the University of Cyprus and the high level of the academic staff, led me to my decision to apply
to the UCYMBA program with the confidence that it will help me in the pursuit of my career
objectives. Through the program I aim to formally expand on the experiential knowledge I gained
while working. I am ready to get to work as I am highly committed to my goals and I love the field
of study I have chosen.

Email: [email protected]
Facebook: Artemis Prodromou
Instagram: artemis_prodromou

www.mba.ucy.ac.cy

Meet the Class entering in Sept. 2020
NAME: Eleni Raouna
NATIONALITY: Cypriot

EDUCATION:

• BSc, Business Management, University of Essex, United Kingdom

PERSONAL INTRODUCTION
I have a BSc degree in Business Management, and I would like to further extend my knowledge in business
through learning new tools and innovative techniques that are necessary in order to differentiate in
today’s competitive business landscape. I am excited to participate in the UCYMBA program, as it is one of
the most recognized programs that will help me acquire highly valuable practical skills and theoretical
knowledge which should enhance my potential to achieve a managerial position in a large commercial or
financial organization.
I am a sociable person who likes organizing events; my main hobby is dancing.

www.mba.ucy.ac.cy

Meet the Class entering in Sept. 2020

NAME: Natalia ROELOFS

NATIONALITY: Dutch

EDUCATION:
• International Master European Project Planning and Management (2015),

Florence, Italy
• Master of Business Administration (2005), Chisinau, Moldova
• Bachelor Finance and Insurance (2003), Chisinau, Moldova

CURRENT POSITION:
➢ Programme Coordinator, CODEC vzw, Belgium

PERSONAL INTRODUCTION

Having vast experience in European Project Management, my ambition in pursuing excellence in this field
has led me to apply to the MBA Programme at the University of Cyprus. My choice of this programme is
determined by a number of reasons and circumstances which make the programme so appealing to me.
First, I think that pursuing the MBA experience at the UCY will help me develop both professionally and
personally. I have always been passionate about planning and management of international projects.
My involvement in writing project proposals, managing approved projects and elaborating the final reports
for different donors (European Commission, Council of Europe), facilitating networking and exchanges
between project partners from all over the world, developed my capacity for handling multiple tasks,
prioritization of workloads, rapid responsiveness, strong internal and external organisational skills, ability to
make inventive and resourceful decisions, high level of initiative, flexibility and ability to communicate
effectively with a variety of partners from diverse backgrounds and different countries.
My experience in working as a National Contact Point for the National Referral System for Victims of
Trafficking and Potential Victims of Trafficking in a UN organization - International Organization for
Migration Mission to Moldova (www.iom.md) raised my expertise in building the inter-sectorial connections
in project development and implementation; raised my capacities in cooperation and negotiation skills,
interacting with different players and hierarchies: National Agencies, European Commission, governmental
officials, donors, NGO representatives, etc.
Cooperation with SALTO EECA (https://www.salto-youth.net/rc/eeca/), first as a multiplier and participant
in several training courses, and then as trainer for obligatory training and evaluation programmes for
European Voluntary Service volunteers hosted in Eastern Europe and the Caucasus and, currently, my
permanent work cooperation with the Flemish National Agency of Erasmus+ Youth (www.jintvzw.be),
brought me unique experiences in international youth work.

www.mba.ucy.ac.cy

Meet the Class entering in Sept. 2020

Conducting the accreditations and monitoring of organisations from the Eastern Partnership (EP)
countries (Armenia, Azerbaijan, Georgia, Belarus, Moldova, Ukraine) and the Russian Federation, as
well as from other partner countries , in consideration for Quality Label as part of the European
Solidarity Corps Programme (https://eacea.ec.europa.eu/sites/european-solidaritycorps_en) brought
me strong knowledge of the rules of the European Solidarity Corps programme and of the
characteristics of functioning of the third sector, in EP countries and Russia; helped me develop self-
assurance, interpersonal and communication skills, and strong ability to assess situations efficiently
and objectively, and to formulate conclusions and recommendations in English, both in oral and
written form.
What is more, my current and past experience in working with non-governmental and
intergovernmental organizations, coordinating projects with different stakeholders from the European
Union, Eastern Partnership countries and Russia, Asia, Latin America and Africa, fulfilling important
management (including financial management) and administrative tasks, being president of the
board of 2 non-profit associations, raised my motivation and interest to strengthen and foster my
knowledge in subjects such as: Leading and Managing Organizations, Marketing Management,
Managerial Accounting, Financial and Strategic Management.
My international experiences attest to my capacity for adaptation and integration. I had the pleasure
to become acquainted with diverse cultures and to affirm my intrapersonal ease and ability to work in
teams, as well as independently – I am always open to others. I speak three languages (English,
Romanian, and Dutch), in addition to my Russian mother tongue. I have a very strong drive to
contribute to my further professional development in my chosen field through my MBA studies at the
University of Cyprus, thus aspiring to bloom on the personal, as well as the professional level.

@natasha_roelofs

www.facebook.com/natasha.roelofs12

www.mba.ucy.ac.cy

Meet the Class entering in Sept. 2020

NAME: Alexandra Skender

NATIONALITY: Cypriot
EDUCATION:
• BSc Sports Science (2019), University of Nicosia, Cyprus
CURRENT / RECENT POSITIONS:
➢ Personal Trainer
➢ Physical Trainer, KPK Performance & Rehabilitation Centre, Nicosia

PERSONAL INTRODUCTION
I graduated from the University of Nicosia with a degree in Sports Science. I have been involved in sports for
several years; during the last few years I am a professional athlete in track and field and member of the Cyprus
national team for 100m track racing. Through sports, I developed valuable life skills such as discipline,
perseverance, and the strong will to continually improve myself. Moreover, I learned the importance of
teamwork and respect towards others. I remain committed to setting ever higher goals and focusing my efforts
to reach them. The postgraduate MBA program of the University of Cyprus will help me accomplish my dream
which is to establish and run my own business in the field of sports, but also to contribute towards the
improvement and modernization of organizations in which I get involved.

Email: [email protected]
Facebook: Alexandra Skender
Instagram: alexandra_skenter

www.mba.ucy.ac.cy

Meet the Class entering in Sept. 2020

NAME: Theofilos C. Socratous

NATIONALITY: Cypriot AGE: 33

EDUCATION:
• BSc (2011), Mechanical & Manufacturing Engineering, University of Cyprus

CURRENT POSITION:
➢ Projects Engineer, C&H Heatflow Mechanical Contractors Ltd, Cyprus

PERSONAL INTRODUCTION

With a strong academic background in Mechanical Engineering and with more than 9 years of extensive
experience in major HVAC projects in Cyprus, I had the opportunity to develop extensively my technical,
management and leadership skills, and my business acumen. The knowledge gained through professional
training programmes and on-the-job learning helped me reach the level of Project Manager at a very early stage
in my career.

At this stage of my career though, I strongly believe that postgraduate studies in Business Administration will
provide me with further knowledge and more complete understanding of the corporate environment, so that I can
progress more competently and effectively in my career path in business management, which is one of my
primary professional goals.

www.mba.ucy.ac.cy

Meet the Class entering in Sept. 2020

NAME: Lauren Taylor

NATIONALITY: South African

EDUCATION:
• BCom Honours (2017), Logistics Management, Stellenbosch University, South

Africa
• BCom (2016), Financial Management and Logistics Management, Stellenbosch

University, South Africa

CURRENT / RECENT POSITIONS:
➢ Continuous Business Improvement Analyst, Unitrans Supply Chain Solutions (Pty)

Ltd, South Africa
➢ Operations Planner, Monteagle Africa Limited, South Africa

PERSONAL INTRODUCTION
I am a South African national, born and raised in Durban, which is a coastal city in South Africa.
At Stellenbosch University, I graduated Cum Laude in BCom Honours, Logistics Management (2017) and, prior
to this, graduated with a BCom Degree in Finance and Logistics (2016). In 2017, I achieved a Lifetime
Membership to the Golden Key International Honour Society.
After graduation, I worked as an Operational Planner at Monteagle Africa Limited in Durban, South Africa, and
then relocated to Johannesburg in January 2019 to work as a Continuous Business Improvement Analyst at
Unitrans Supply Chain Solutions (Pty) Ltd. In my two and a half years of working in the Supply Chain field, I
have learnt and practised skills that will help me in succeeding with an MBA degree.
I am an organized, optimistic and dedicated individual with a passion for people, business and innovation. By
studying the MBA Program at the University of Cyprus, I wish to enhance my career prospects and to further
develop the characteristics that will enable me to succeed in my professional pursuits.
I am very excited to be studying the MBA Program at the University of Cyprus, as it will allow me to learn and
grow as an individual and to gain perspective on a new culture.

www.mba.ucy.ac.cy

Meet the Class entering in Sept. 2020

NAME: Stefania Varnava

NATIONALITY: Cypriot AGE: 27

EDUCATION:
• Meng, 2015, Computer Science – University of Southampton, UK

CURRENT / RECENT POSITIONS:
➢ Application Services Process Analyst, S&P Global, London (UK)
➢ Business Analyst & Support Developer, ICBC Standard Bank, London (UK)
➢ Business Analyst / Project Manager, Scope Markets Ltd, Limassol (CY)

PERSONAL INTRODUCTION

My name is Stefania Varnava and I am from Cyprus.

I have completed an MEng degree in Computer Science at the University of Southampton in the UK, which
helped me build a deep understanding of software development processes. I have started my professional
career in the financial industry as an Application Services Process Analyst at S&P Global Platts and then
progressed to a senior technical role as a Business Support Development Analyst for ICBC Standard Bank, one of
the largest banks in the world. I have recently returned to Cyprus to work for a fast-growing Foreign Exchange
company as a Business Analyst / Project Manager, which led me to the pursuit of a business management
course aiming to enhance my skills in non-technical matters as well.

In my free time, I enjoy playing tennis, swimming, and socializing with friends.

www.mba.ucy.ac.cy

Meet the Class entering in Sept. 2020

NAME: Meropi Zymaride

NATIONALITY: Cypriot

EDUCATION:
• BSc, 2018, Mechanical Engineering, University of Cyprus

CURRENT / RECENT POSITION:
➢ Member of the managerial department of a trading company.

PERSONAL INTRODUCTION
Hello,

My Name is Meropi Zymaride. I was born in Nicosia, Cyprus.

I successfully completed my studies in Mechanical and Manufacturing Engineering at the University
of Cyprus. From my undergraduate studies, I have gained the theoretical and practical knowledge of
engineering fundamentals. Now, I have the aspiration to broaden my knowledge and horizons in
business fields by taking this MBA program.

Studying at a postgraduate level at the University of Cyprus will be a key asset in providing me the
appropriate business tools, techniques, and knowledge so that I can productively contribute to the
field of business administration and succeed in a career in management. During this program, I will
have the opportunity to meet, interact, exchange ideas and work with people from different
backgrounds, an opportunity that will enable us all to improve our interpersonal skills and to build
our professional competencies.

I very much look forward to starting my studies in the MBA program.

Thank you ☺

www.mba.ucy.ac.cy