18 May 2026
From 28 to 30 April 2026, members of the YUFE Student Forum gathered in Cyprus for three days of meetings, workshops, discussions, and shared experiences. Hosted by the University of Cyprus (UCY), the Physical Meeting brought together student representatives from across the alliance to reflect on ongoing projects, develop new ideas, and strengthen collaboration between members.
Held at the University of Cyprus campus in Nicosia, the meeting combined formal working sessions with moments of cultural exchange and informal bonding, allowing participants not only to advance their work within YUFE but also to deepen personal connections within the Student Forum.
Opening the Meeting
The first day began with an opening session led by Rector Dr. Tasos Christofides, who welcomed participants to the University of Cyprus and introduced the goals of the event. The meeting then moved into the first round of Task Force discussions, where members worked internally within their respective groups to prepare updates, reflect on ongoing initiatives, and develop ideas for future projects.
These sessions provided valuable opportunities for collaboration. Participants were able to exchange perspectives from their universities, identify shared challenges, and brainstorm solutions together in a more dynamic and direct environment than online meetings usually allow.
The morning continued with presentations on Work Package updates and student involvement across the alliance. Representatives shared developments from their ongoing work and discussed proposals connected to the future direction of YUFE initiatives.
In the afternoon, the different Student Forum Task Forces presented updates on their projects and ongoing work. The Engagement, Communications, and Governance Task Forces each shared reflections from their earlier discussions, followed by a collective feedback session.
The day concluded with a discussion featuring Chrystaleni Tryfonos from the Cyprus Presidency of the Council of the EU, who spoke about Cyprus and its accession to the European Union. The exchange gave students additional insight into European cooperation and institutional development, themes closely connected to the spirit of YUFE itself.
Collaboration Beyond the Meeting Room
After the formal sessions ended, participants travelled to Mackenzie Beach in Larnaca for an afternoon dedicated to teambuilding and informal exchanges. The beach setting created a relaxed atmosphere where conversations continued naturally, often shifting between personal experiences and ideas for future YUFE projects.
Some participants went swimming in the Mediterranean Sea, while others preferred walking along the beach or simply enjoying the scenery together. During the journey and throughout the evening, students also discussed ideas connected to the YUFE seed-funding call and possible future initiatives that could emerge from the Student Forum.
The evening concluded with a group dinner by the beach, allowing participants to continue conversations in a more informal environment before returning to the hotel.
Workshops, Inclusion, and Future Perspectives
The second day focused strongly on workshops and collaborative reflection. The morning began with two simultaneous workshops. In one of them, some SF members explored ways to make YUFE more attractive to research-oriented students while the other one involved a discussion on innovation in Higher Education Institutions, especially within YUFE.
This was followed by an interactive meeting organised together with the ED&I Ambassadors programme. Through discussions and workshop activities, participants reflected on challenges connected to equality, diversity, and inclusion within higher education institutions and student engagement structures.
Later in the morning, students received overviews of the Strategic Council and the Executive Committee, offering greater transparency into ongoing discussions and developments within YUFE governance. One topic that particularly attracted attention among participants was the growing possibility for students (across all universities) to access seed-funding opportunities in order to launch and support their own initiatives within the alliance.
In the afternoon, students participated in a workshop on healthy work dynamics. Through group exercises and scenario-based discussions, participants reflected on communication, teamwork, and methods for addressing difficult situations within collaborative environments. Another workshop later in the day focused specifically on how the Student Forum could better represent and include the YUFE Bachelor students within the Alliance’s activities and decision-making processes.
Discovering Cyprus Together
Although the meeting schedule was intensive, some of the most memorable moments emerged during the informal activities outside the conference rooms.
Following the campus visit, participants enjoyed free time in the city before gathering again for dinner at Zanettos Cypriot Tavern in Nicosia. The evening became one of the highlights of the Physical Meeting, as students were introduced to a wide range of traditional Cypriot dishes and desserts while sharing stories, conversations, and laughter around the table.
The dinner also became an opportunity to celebrate personal milestones and friendships that had developed within the Student Forum over time. These moments reflected one of the most important dimensions of the Physical Meeting: strengthening the human connections that make collaboration within an international alliance possible.
Final Discussions and Closing Reflections
The final day of the meeting focused on future planning and reflection. Participants discussed the student portfolio system and the different ways universities currently acknowledge the work carried out by Student Forum members. Discussions also explored alternative forms of recognition and support that could be implemented across the alliance.
The meeting concluded with brainstorming sessions related to seed-funding opportunities, action points for the upcoming academic year, and final reflections from participants and board members.
Looking Back
The YUFE Student Forum Physical Meeting in Cyprus demonstrated the importance of in-person collaboration within international student networks. Across three days, participants not only advanced discussions on governance, inclusion, student engagement, and future projects, but also strengthened interpersonal relationships that continue to shape the Student Forum community.
The meeting highlighted how collaboration within YUFE extends beyond formal structures. Through workshops, discussions, shared meals, and informal moments together, participants were able to build trust, exchange experiences, and develop a stronger sense of collective purpose.
The Student Forum extends its gratitude to the Cyprus students for their support throughout the event, as well as to the University of Cyprus for its warm welcome and hospitality.
SF Article UCY May 26
