The Journey
To My Success

Panayiota has been having a strong interest in cars since she was a child. She was excited to watch rally races and got fascinated by observing the different car models. She would read all about the unique features of each car model's unique features and gearbox and stay up to date with every new entry to the hall of sports cars. Panayiota is now studying Automotive Engineering at Frederick University and aims to continue her studies in motorsports engineering. "Success is exceeding the limits and achieving your goals", says Panayiota, sharing her up to now experience as a woman in a world mostly taken over by men. That is, until now!

"I went through University literally hanging on every word said by my teachers and fellow students to understand what they were saying". Since childhood, Thekla was deprived of the sense of hearing. She listens with her heart, though, and colors the world with a smile. Thekla was given a scholarship to study Graphic Arts at the Arts and Communication Department of Frederick University and successfully graduated. She is now the mum of two, a manager at the company she works at, and an active member of both the Pancyprian Organization of the Deaf and the Cyprus Center for Youth with Hearing Loss. "People with hearing disabilities get frustrated and give up when they can actually succeed!", she says.  

Robert's story would make an excellent "Hollywood movie script" as he says. And it's true. Robert was raised in a small village in Tanzania where he would walk 10km every day to carry water from the river and collect firewood from the forest. Fast forward to a few years ago, being a great student he was offered a scholarship by our University to do his masters in Civil Engineering. Robert is now doing his Ph.D. in Concrete Material Technology at Frederick University. "Success is everything I have accomplished so far," says Robert, who wishes to return to his country after completing his studies "to pass on to the young people there the knowledge I gained and everything I experienced".

Joanna was born and raised in the Palestinian Gaza Strip. In order to travel to Cyprus where she was given a full scholarship to study Digital Marketing at Frederick University, she had to get permission from the Israeli authorities, travel through the occupied Palestinian territories towards Jordan, and then take the plane to Cyprus. Fast forward to four years later, Joanna graduated at the top of her class, being the first graduate of the new program of study. "Success is achieving my personal goals" no matter how big or small!

Vitaliy's passion for video games was developed at the age of 5 when his brother introduced him to the marvelous world of gaming. By 10, he knew he'd be working in the IT field. The older he got, the more he became interested in how video games are developed. Vitaliy is now a game developer, after studying Computer Science at Frederick University. "Success is doing what you love and enjoying it," says Vitaliy. "Only by constantly developing ourselves we can become better, both as humans and professionals!"

Marios grew up curious about learning new things and wanted to discover the world on his own. He was into computers from an early age so it was no surprise that he decided to follow a career in Computer Science that led him into completing a Master's in Web and Smart Systems at Frederick University. Today he is the co-founder of two organizations that were developed for the common good.  "Success is seeing that your actions have made other people’s lives easier", says Marios making us super proud!

Constantinos has always been involved in sports and gymnastics. Although, he wanted to proceed to study his subject, due to unseen difficulties he couldn't. Luckily, he got his chance to hit another milestone by studying Physical Education and Sports Science at Frederick University. He worked hard to combine his studies with training and work, but he managed to successfully handle it. The biggest goal of his life is the creation of an integrated center that covers all the needs of people with disabilities. "Success for me is to outperform yourself. To overcome what the society thinks that is not possible" he says while being the living example.