Introductions_Part2

Meet the Class

entering in Sept. 2017

www.mba.ucy.ac.cy

Message from the Program Directors

We are very pleased to be welcoming a new MBA class at the University of Cyprus. This year we
received a large number of applications from (a record) 27 different countries. The students
admitted were chosen through a competitive selection.

We are particularly excited with the diversity of the incoming group in terms of gender, age,
nationality (11 different nationalities are represented), educational background and area of
professional work. We have students with educational backgrounds ranging from all fields of
Engineering (Electrical, Mechanical, Civil, Chemical, Biomedical) to Law, from Business
(Accounting, Finance, Marketing) and Economics to Pharmacy, from Social Sciences (Psychology,
Sociology, Political Science, Education) to Architecture, from Applied Sciences (Physics,
Chemistry, Computer Science, Biology & Genetics) to Humanities (Philosophy, Literature and
Foreign Languages) and Arts. A sizable proportion of the incoming students hold postgraduate
degrees in their respective fields, in some cases multiple degrees or additional professional
diplomas; a few hold doctoral degrees (PhD). The students work in a wide spectrum of fields that
span all sectors of the economy: banking and financial services, legal practice, industrial
production, telecommunications and information technology, construction, commerce and trade,
energy and pharmaceutical sectors, research and education, etc., as well as various 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 with the community their motivations for pursuing an MBA degree and
their aspirations for their studies at the University of Cyprus. This brochure presents the
personal introductions of members of the incoming class.

We extend a warm welcome to all students in the incoming class and wish each and every one
success in their studies and fulfillment of their aspirations for professional advancement and
personal development.

MBA Co-Directors
Professor Leonidas C. Leonidou
Professor Nicos Vafeas
Professor Hercules Vladimirou

The newcomers were inducted to the MBA Program of the University of Cyprus with a team-building
workshop that took place at the Caledonia Falls trail on the Troodos mountain on Saturday, Sept. 2,
2017. The pictures on the back-covers highlight activities from that event.

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

Tel: +357 22893600
Fax: +357 22895020
Email: [email protected]
Web: www.mba.ucy.ac.cy

www.mba.ucy.ac.cy

Meet the Class entering in Sept. 2017

NAME: LOUKAS EVANGELOU

NATIONALITY: CYPRIOT AGE: 29

EDUCATION:

 Bachelor of Science (BSc), 2012, Mechanical and Manufacturing Engineering,
University of Cyprus

CURRENT POSITION:
 Commercial and Industrial Sales Engineer, Hellenic Petroleum Cyprus Ltd

PERSONAL INTRODUCTION

My name is Loukas Evangelou and I am 29 years old. I am from Larnaca. After graduating from the University of
Cyprus in 2012 with a BSc degree in Mechanical and Manufacturing Engineering, I worked for more than three years
as Planning, Sales and Marketing Manager at Globetech Laboratory Services Ltd. The past 1½ year I work as Sales
Engineer in the Commercial and Industrial Department of Hellenic Petroleum Cyprus.

Having experienced the challenges of the business environment, I came to realize that the Master of Business
Administration (MBA) program of the University of Cyprus can equip me with the knowledge and skillset to cope
with even more challenges so as to professionally succeed in the modern business world that is highly competitive
and with constantly changing and increasing demands. I am looking to enrich my way of thinking so that I can
develop successful strategic and operational programs and to be able to take on leading positions of increased
competence and managerial responsibility. The level of the UCYMBA program, evident in the reputable reliability
and prestige of the University of Cyprus, was the key reason for my decision to apply for this postgraduate program
of studies.

I like to spend my free time with my family and friends. I also like fishing, cooking and traveling.

www.mba.ucy.ac.cy

`

Meet the Class entering in Sept. 2017

NAME: TOMOKO K. FINKERATH

NATIONALITY: JAPANESE AGE: 30

EDUCATION:

 Master of Science, (2012), Computer Science, Ochanomizu University, Tokyo, Japan
 Computer Simulation, Exchange Student (2011), University of Wuppertal, Germany
 Bachelor of Science, (2010), Computer Science, Ochanomizu University, Tokyo, Japan

CURRENT / RECENT POSITION:
 Technical Sales Assistant Manager, NTT Data, Tokyo, Japan (2012-2016)

PERSONAL INTRODUCTION
My Experience
I have extensive knowledge and practical experience of the Japanese market with 5 years of work as an assistant
manager of a department which marketed IT products of €3+ million annually with over 25% profit per year. I was a
consultant at NTT DATA and responsible for the sale of IT infrastructure to the Tokyo Municipality and to the local
police. NTT DATA is the biggest company for IT technology in Japan (Number of Employees: 111,700 (worldwide),
Net Sales: ~1.73 trillion yen).
Through work I continuously improved my skills which were necessary to succeed in my position, like my
presentation style in front of customers or the implementation of efficient solutions after the start of the services.
Other key techniques, which I learned, were to obey the highly demanding business ethics of Japanese companies
and the efficient management of costs. In general, the contributions of my projects to public services and society
motivated me and gave me satisfaction in my professional career.
Why UCYMBA
There are two main reasons why I want to pursue the MBA degree.
The first reason is that I want to develop my knowledge of financial management and accounting. Although I could
learn the fundamental skills on the job, sometimes it was complicated. Especially in taking key decisions in the early
stages of projects, in the preparation of financial plans and in the communication of the plans. This was of high
importance due to the fact that in the early stages of projects the company had to invest substantially to get
awarded the projects. I would like to further develop my decision-making skills, especially with a focus on finance,
accounting and statistics.
The second reason is simple. I moved to Cyprus because of my German husband who is working at the Cyprus
Institute as a researcher in the field of computational science. In this unique situation I see the chance to enhance
my knowledge and skills in business, in combination with studying European business traditions in Cyprus. Up to
now, my educational background and professional work were entirely in Japan.
Licenses
High school teaching license in Japan (Mathematics, Information Science).

www.mba.ucy.ac.cy

Meet the Class entering in Sept. 2017

NAME: STAVROS FRANGOGIANNOPOULOS

NATIONALITY: GREEK, CANADIAN AGE: 25

EDUCATION:

 Diploma of Architect-Engineer, 2015, University of Cyprus
 Bachelor of Architecture, 2014, University of Cyprus

CURRENT / RECENT POSITIONS:

 Junior Architect, Michael Cosmas Architecture LLC, Cyprus
 Intern, Soteres Polydorou Chartered Architects, Cyprus

PERSONAL INTRODUCTION

Hello fellow UCY MBA classmates; my name is Stavros Frangogiannopoulos and I am very excited to meet everyone.
Good luck to all of you on your journey! Please allow me to introduce myself in a few words.

Professional background: I am currently employed as a junior architect in a local company, gaining experience in
the design of public and private buildings while maintaining my presence in academic research with activity in major
conferences in Europe. I received my Bachelor’s degree in Architecture in June 2014 and acquired my Diploma of
Architect-Engineer in June 2015. My work as a student appeared in local exhibitions, online newsletters and has
landed top tier positions in worldwide student competitions on transformable structures. Furthermore, my research
has been presented in major architectural conferences in Seoul, Milan, and most recently, in Siena, and then
published in international journals of known publishers such as WIT and Springer.

Aspirations: I am very interested in leadership and being part of a team. It is a very rewarding challenge in many
respects, and one of the reasons I chose to join the UCYMBA team. My goal is to merge the theory of business
management and administration with the expertise of an engineer, to be useful to others and to develop the toolset
that will give me options, and therefore opportunities.

Dreams & Interests: I have keen interests in WW history, in astronomy, music, basketball, and most importantly
(for me) in aviation. My dream is either to lead a global architectural/construction firm or, one day, to become a
pilot of an Airbus A380 for a major airline.

Thank you for your time! Best Regards!

www.mba.ucy.ac.cy

Meet the Class entering in Sept. 2017

NAME: CHRISTOS KASSINIS

NATIONALITY: CYPRIOT AGE: 27

EDUCATION:

 MSE, (2015), Petroleum Engineering, Texas A & M University, USA
 BSE, (2013), Chemical Engineering, UCL, United Kingdom

CURRENT / RECENT POSITIONS:

 Technical Team Manager, EuroAsia Interconnector, Cyprus
 Consultant, Kassinis International Consulting, Cyprus

PERSONAL INTRODUCTION

My exposure to engineering principles and technical problems during both my academic studies and my
professional career, has given me valuable all-round insights in the industrial sector. My work in a multi-disciplined
company that manages technical projects has taught me first-hand the imperative roles that business professionals
play on teams in technical sectors and how their expertise complements that of technical/engineering experts. I am
certain that technology and industrial firms can achieve greater efficiency when they are staffed with people –
particularly at managerial positions – who speak and understand both “languages”.

My experiences during the early stages of my professional career have shaped my desire to pursue a professional
business degree so as to gain knowledge and skills in all business functions and acquire a holistic management
perspective. In my view, a solid combination of technology and business education can be achieved only in a specific
way and order: first studies in engineering/sciences, followed by a postgraduate degree in business.

The MBA program of the University of Cyprus has been my first choice. It is a respected course delivered by highly
reputable faculty; it attracted my interest by the way the curriculum is structured. It is designed so that students
gain exposure to theory and practice alike, as it includes both taught, traditional classroom-style instruction, but
also practical field immersion, whereby student teams execute a final capstone project in consultation with
corporate contacts, so as to apply their knowledge in a practical setting and thus reinforce their learning.

The MBA degree will be a stepping stone in my professional career; it will broaden my options, either with
opportunities for faster advancement to higher levels of business responsibility in technology companies, or by
helping me to develop a sharp business acumen that I can combine with my technical background to successfully
engage in an entrepreneurial venture.

I look forward to joining the University of Cyprus community and particularly the MBA team, to share my knowledge
and experiences and embark on a new learning voyage.

www.mba.ucy.ac.cy

Meet the Class entering in Sept. 2017

NAME: GIORGOS MICHAELIDES

NATIONALITY: CYPRIOT AGE: 36

EDUCATION:

 MSc, 2004, Information Systems Development, University of Brighton, UK
 BSc, 2003, Computer Studies, University of Brighton, UK

CURRENT POSITION:
 Organization and Methods Officer, Cooperative Cyprus Bank

PERSONAL INTRODUCTION

I have been working as an IT professional since I finished my University studies in 2004. I had the opportunity to
work both in the private sector as well as in the public sector, in various areas of Information Technology, including
technical and software support, promoting e-commerce, drafting the e-commerce legal framework, analyzing and
defining IT related procedures, and managing software projects.

As part of my personal development plan, I want to expand my knowledge and skills in new areas, other than
Information Technology. In my 15 year work experience, I realised that my career progression depends not only on
my IT skills and knowledge, but on other essential business and people management skills as well, which I want to
improve.

I chose UCY because of the recognition it has achieved in the local and international community and because it was
highly recommended by professionals who have studied there in the past.

I believe that the MBA program will equip me with the knowledge and skills to help me progress in my career and
explore other career opportunities that may arise in the future.

www.mba.ucy.ac.cy

Meet the Class entering in Sept. 2017

NAME: ANTONIS NEOPHYTOU

NATIONALITY: CYPRIOT AGE: 26

EDUCATION:
 MEng, (2015), Chemical Engineering, University College London, UK

RECENT POSITION:
 Junior Formulation Development Scientist, R&D department, Remedica Ltd, Cyprus

PERSONAL INTRODUCTION

I like to consider myself as an open-minded individual who is willing to listen to other people’s opinions and always
try to see things from their perspective before making decisions, whether these are professional or personal. I take
joy in problem-solving, especially if the manner in which a problem is solved is efficient and innovative.

My education background is mainly in applied sciences. However, the few optional modules in my degree that were
related to Business and Management were among my favourites. I was, therefore, really fortunate that my job at
Remedica combined scientific methods and management for the development of projects. In the two years that I
worked at Remedica I was exposed to the practice of project management and product development through the
various procedures that were needed for the launch of a generic drug. I realised that these were areas I was
particularly interested in, which acted as a catalyst in making my decision to pursue an MBA degree.

I am hoping that through the MBA program I can further improve my analytical skills and become a more complete
professional with a business mindset and a leader’s approach.

On a more personal note, I am a big tennis fan and enjoy to play the game as well in my spare time. As an old scout,
I still enjoy the occasional camping and nature walking.

www.mba.ucy.ac.cy

Meet the Class entering in Sept. 2017

NAME: ATHINA PAPAPHILIPPOU – KECHAGIA

NATIONALITY: CYPRIOT AGE: 40

EDUCATION:
 Degree of Architect Engineer (2003), NTUA, Greece

CURRENT / RECENT POSITIONS:
 Architect, Self-employed

PERSONAL INTRODUCTION

I spent 13 years pursuing the creation of bioclimatic spaces that encourage creativity and increase human energy…

After my graduation from the School of Architecture of the National Technical University of Athens (NTUA, Εθνικό
Μετσόβιο Πολυτεχνείο) in Greece, I grabbed the opportunity to be employed immediately, since it was a period of
increased building development. It was an interesting challenge for me, gaining valuable experience and exploring
innovative ideas, including the opportunity to design bioclimatic, energy efficient or even Nearly Zero Energy
Buildings (NZEB).

… it is now time to explore other things and go deeper. I keep wondering if learning ever ends…

My admission to the UCY MBA is another challenge for me to further develop myself. I feel ready to share ideas and
experiences with the group and learn from the faculty and my classmates.

I strongly believe that my personal interest in environmental impact and sustainability, blended with my theoretical
and technical background, empowered by the program’s business perspectives, will create opportunities to branch
my career in new directions.

www.mba.ucy.ac.cy

Meet the Class entering in Sept. 2017

NAME: MARIA SOLOMOU

NATIONALITY: CYPRIOT AGE: 34

EDUCATION:

 PhD, 2014, Learning Sciences and Instructional Systems Technologies, Indiana
University – Bloomington, U.S.A.

 MS, 2011, Education (Learning Sciences), Indiana University – Bloomington, U.S.A.
 MSc, 2006, Education, Technology and Society, University of Bristol, U.K.
 BA, 2005, Education, University of Cyprus

CURRENT / RECENT POSITIONS:

 Project Manager, Instructional Designer, CARDET, Cyprus
 Learning Scientist/Instructor, Cyprus University of Technology, Cyprus

PERSONAL INTRODUCTION

My name is Maria Solomou and I am a learning and design professional with experience in instructional, game design,
training and development, and project management. I received my doctorate from Indiana University-Bloomington in the
U.S.A, in Learning Sciences and Instructional Systems Technologies. Prior to my PhD, I completed a Master’s in Education
at Indiana University-Bloomington, a Master of Science in Education, Technology and Society at the University of Bristol,
U.K., and a Bachelor’s in Education at the University of Cyprus.

I am interested in the notion of learning organizations, and how companies/institutions can organize their practices in
ways so as to evolve as whole bodies, with common visions and collective, rather than individual work. For that, during
my doctoral studies, I developed a research project to explore my game designs within an online gaming community,
exploring elements that can lead to reflexive practices. With foundations in transformational play, communities of
practice, and learning organizations, and based on empirical data collected from 400 participants, I developed a
framework for designing learning trajectories within participatory spaces. The project is called “Designing for reflexivity:
Exploring elements in intentionally designed trajectories in an online gaming community”.

I currently manage several projects that are funded by the European Commission and I conduct instructional design for
online courses (e-learning). The projects’ consortia are composed of partners from around Europe and with a wide
variety of expertise. I enjoy my work very much, as it exposes me to new learning experiences with every project and
allows me to expand my professional network with contacts at other universities and companies.

I decided to pursue an MBA at the University of Cyprus as it is a top program, with excellent academics, that can advance
my knowledge, skills and overall professional development. I expect to be able to combine existing with new knowledge,
apply information to new settings and generate creative ideas.

I am positive that this will be a very rewarding journey and I am looking forward to the new opportunities and challenges
ahead.

www.mba.ucy.ac.cy

Meet the Class entering in Sept. 2017

NAME: IRENE VIOLARI

NATIONALITY: CYPRIOT AGE: 37

EDUCATION:

 Degree in Music Studies, (2002, Excellent), University of Athens, Greece
 MMus (Master of Music), (2005), University of Sussex – Trinity College of Music,

United Kingdom

CURRENT POSITION:
 Municipal Officer for Cultural Affairs, Strovolos Municipality, Nicosia, Cyprus

PERSONAL INTRODUCTION

After completing my undergraduate and Master’s degrees in 2005, both in the field of Music, I worked mostly as a music
teacher in private as well as public schools in Greece and Cyprus. Although this work experience was very fulfilling, a few
years later in 2009, I took on the position of Municipal Officer for Cultural Affairs at Strovolos Municipality, a position that
I still hold.

Being in charge of the Department of Culture at the Municipality, I undertake all planning and coordination of the
Municipality’s cultural and social events. These also include the planning and delivery of related promotional and publicity
projects. Furthermore, I manage the operation of the Strovolos Municipal Theatre, mainly in matters of financial
management (budgeting) and personnel and I supervise the Municipality’s dance, music and photography workshops.

Having accumulated more than a decade of work experience, I realize that an MBA Course is essential for both my
professional advancement and personal development. Naturally, I chose the University of Cyprus MBA Course, mainly
because it offers an internationally accredited and acclaimed program and is recognized as the top research and
educational institution in the country. Moreover, the subjects of study offered are delivered by internationally respected
teaching staff, cover a broad range of business subjects and equip students with most valuable knowledge and skills to
become true leaders.

I am extremely proud of my admission to the MBA postgraduate student community and I look forward to starting this
wonderful and very challenging journey.

www.mba.ucy.ac.cy

www.mba.ucy.ac.cy

www.mba.ucy.ac.cy