Sir Stelios Haji-Ioannou, founder and owner of the 'easy' family of brands and Chairman of the Stelios Philanthropic Foundation, has generously offered three scholarships totaling €30,000 to students of the MBA Postgraduate Program at the School of Economics and Management of the University of Cyprus.

According to a press release from the Foundation, the recipients Ipek Gunduz, Christina Keshek, and Petros Ioannidis, were selected based on academic achievements and socio-economic criteria. Each will receive €10,000 towards their tuition fees for their advanced degree in Business Administration.

Notably, this marks the first time the Stelios Philanthropic Foundation has instituted scholarships for an academic institution where Sir Stelios himself did not study.

Rena Rouvitha-Panou, a member of the foundation's Board of Directors, awarded the scholarships to the three winners in a ceremony held at the University of Cyprus.

The event was graced by several esteemed personalities, including the Rector of the University of Cyprus, Professor Tasos Christofides; the Dean of the School of Economics and Management, Professor Sofronis Clerides; the Chairman of the School's Advisory Board, Michalis Sarris; and other senior members of the academic community.

In a statement, Sir Stelios emphasized that the scholarship initiative is significant. "This initiative represents a significant step for us, as it's the first time we are offering academic scholarships in my homeland, Cyprus, supporting the University of Cyprus, a hub of learning and excellence," he noted.

"Our aim is to support and encourage outstanding students, helping them complete their academic pursuits and equipping them for successful professional careers," Sir Stelios added.

Expressing his gratitude, Professor Sofronis Clerides, Dean of the School of Economics and Management, warmly thanked the Stelios Philanthropic Foundation. He highlighted the distinct honor of receiving scholarships from a foundation whose founder had not previously studied at the institution. "Our objective is to establish a university of international reach, representing Cyprus on the global stage. Our recent accreditation from the international AACSB organization is proof that we're on the right path," Clerides stressed.

"This recognition, along with the trust Sir Stelios Haji-Ioannou places in the University of Cyprus and our school, empowers us to continue our efforts," he concluded.