The new cycle of the timeless institution of lectures of the Free Universities begins, marking the beginning of a course to promote knowledge and the spirit of dialectical thinking. Through these lectures, participants have the opportunity to explore new ideas, develop their critical thinking and be inspired by the variety of topics presented. In this way, the lectures of the Free Universities contribute to the consolidation of education and democratic debate in society. The main goal is the interaction with the wider society, the establishment of university-citizen communication and the offering of lifelong learning opportunities.

The lectures take place in various regions and communities of Cyprus, such as the Zinoneion Free University in Larnaca, the Salaminion Free University of Famagusta in Paralimni, the Ierokipion Free University of the Municipality of Yeroskipos, the Tamasion Free University in the Holy Metropolis of Tamasos and Orini and the Free University of the City of Chrysochous.

The first lecture of the 4th lecture cycle of the Tamasion Free University at the Synod of the Holy Metropolis of Tamasos and Orini in the Diocese, will take place on Tuesday, October 17, 2023, on the topic “More positive verbal communication in everyday life”. The speaker will be Sotos Voskaridis, Associate Professor at the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering and Information Technology of the Cyprus University of Technology (CUT) and President of the Cyprus Cartoonists Association “ΓΕΛ.Α.”

The inaugural lecture of the 18th lecture cycle of the Salaminion Free University of Famagusta in Paralimni will take place on Wednesday, October 18, 2023 on the topic: “The patristic teaching on the sexuality of man as the foundation of Orthodox Bioethics”, with Dr. Miltiadis Vantsos, Professor at the Faculty of Theology of the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki.

On Tuesday, October 24, 2023, the first lecture of the 25th cycle of lectures of the Zinoneion Free University will take place in Larnaca, with the lecturer Athina Violari, Radio Programmes Officer of RIK. The topic of the lecture is entitled: “70 years of radio broadcasting in Cyprus”.

The 20th lecture cycle for Ierokipion Free University in Pafos, starts on Friday, 27 October 2023 on “How drugs affect the brain and what are the new pharmacotherapies”. The speaker will be Panos Zanos, Assistant Professor of Neuropharmacology at the Department of Psychology, University of Cyprus.

On Friday, December 1, 2023, the first lecture of the 6th cycle of lectures of the Free University of Chrysochous City, will take place on the subject of “School Violence: What we know and how to protect our children” and the speaker will be Kostas Fanti, Professor of Developmental Psychology at the Department of Psychology, University of Cyprus.

All Free University lectures are open to the public and will be completed in May 2024. At the end of the lectures, during the closing ceremony, certificates of attendance will be awarded to the participating audience.

For the detailed programme and lecture topics of all the Free Universities, you can visit the link https://www.ucy.ac.cy/events/free-universities/. For more information, contact the Office of Planning and Implementation of Formal Events at 22894347.