New York.- The Ministry of Education and Culture of the Republic of Cyprus has given another grant to the Center for Byzantine and Modern Greek Studies at Queens College, CUNY. The new generous grant donated to the Center recently, continues the tradition of support to the Center by the government of the Republic. This grant, like the previous ones, comes as a great boost to the Center which is embarking on a campaign to raise funds in order to expand its program. The Byzantine and Modern Greek Studies Program at Queens College is one of the largest in the country as it covers Hellenism in its multiple manifestations from the time of Byzantium until today.

The Center’s program places special emphasis on Greek language and culture as well as on the dynamics of the Greek American community. In addition, and more relevant to Cyprus per se, is the fact that since its establishment by Professor Harry J. Psomiades in 1974, Queens College and the Center had the unique privilege to “educate” more students from Cyprus than any other American academic institution. Over the last 31 years, about 14,000 students, the great majority of them being of Greek origin, took courses with the Center. A large number of these students were from Cyprus. In addition, the Center has a very strong tradition in promoting Cypriot studies. Since 1974, the Center has been offering regularly courses on the history, society, economics and especially on the politics of Cyprus. In addition, the Center has sponsored other Cyprus related activities including popular lectures, seminars, book publications, and cultural programs. Thanks to the latest grant of the Cypriot Ministry of Education and Culture, the Center will be able to continue to cover Cyprus and its rich history, culture and political dynamics. For all this, the Center is sincerely grateful to the Cyprus Government, the Ministry of Education and Culture in general and the Minister Pefkios Georgiades in particular who leads this important governmental institution.