The CEO of CIM -Cyprus Business School, Yangos Hadjiyannis, has left open the possibility that there will also be mergers in Cyprus' Higher Education sector, emphasising that the sector is at a saturation point.
As he characteristically states in an interview with InBusinessNews in the context of 'IN Business Forecasting 2026', "after approximately 15 years of continuous growth and rapid increase in the number of students, based on Cypriots and Greeks, we have had a significant slowdown in the increase in the number of students in the last two-three years, while the number of institutions has increased rapidly."
As a result, he emphasises, "at the moment there is very intense competition and unfortunately this also affects the sustainability of the programmes offered."
Regarding acquisitions and mergers, after stating that the government is working on relevant plans, he indicates that "it must immediately provide the tools for further acquisitions and mergers in all sectors, since many Cypriot businesses are facing sustainability problems."
In relation to the plans for CIM, the CEO states - among other things - that "2026 will be a milestone year in terms of our collaboration with the University of West London, as it marks 15 years of the leading and longest-standing collaboration with a British university."
Regarding the tax reform, Hadjiyannis points out that "it is moving in the right direction, since on the one hand it further strengthens the investment framework and on the other hand it gives impetus to Cypriot businesses with the changes so that there is equal treatment."
How do you think the Cypriot economy will perform in the new year and what are its prospects? What do you consider to be the biggest risks and how can they be addressed?
2025 was a very good year in terms of the growth rate of the Cypriot economy. Most sectors performed very well with a very low unemployment rate.
In particular, tourism closed with record numbers in terms of both arrivals and consumption. Furthermore, the end of 2025 finds public debt at a level below the 60% target that had been set.
The prospects for the Cypriot economy in 2026 are very promising and recent upgrades by international rating agencies confirm the potential for further strengthening.
Of course, major long-term challenges remain, such as high energy costs, public service reform, and reducing bureaucracy.
How do you anticipate that your company's sector of activity will develop in 2026, what are the biggest trends/changes you expect to occur and what are the most significant challenges?
The Higher Education sector in Cyprus is at a saturation point. After approximately 15 years of continuous growth and rapid increase in the number of students, based on Cypriots and Greeks, we have had a significant slowdown in the growth of the number of students in the last two-three years, while the number of institutions has increased rapidly.
As a result, there is currently very intense competition and unfortunately this also affects the sustainability of the programmes offered.
A strong trend that seems to be taking hold in Cypriot business is that of acquisitions and mergers. Will we see it strongly in your sector as well?
It is very likely that there will be mergers in our sector, especially if one takes into account the fact that, as I have already mentioned, the market is saturated and there is no sign of a change in conditions
At the moment, there is very intense competition and unfortunately this also affects the sustainability of the programmes offered.
The government is working on plans to promote acquisitions and mergers and must immediately provide the tools for further acquisitions and mergers in all sectors since many Cypriot businesses are facing sustainability problems.
What can we expect in terms of your organisation's development and expansion plans and strategy in 2026? What moves do you intend to make in this direction?
For our 48th year, we will continue strengthening our position as the leading Cypriot Business School by providing the highest possible employment rate and return on investment for our students.
2026 will be a milestone year in terms of our collaboration with the University of West London, as it marks 15 years of the top and longest-running collaboration with a British university.
In relation to academic programmes, we will place particular emphasis on the development of distance learning programmes with the introduction of our new E-MBA Shipping in January and the further upgrade of the existing E-MBA, which has very great growth potential.
Regarding our collaboration with Cambridge Judge Business School, Executive Education, following the unprecedented response from Cypriot and foreign businesses, we have ambitious growth plans both in Cyprus and regionally.
The new year will include the implementation of the tax reform, which takes place 22 years after the previous tax reform. How do you estimate that it will affect the Cypriot economy, businesses, and the attraction of foreign investments?
The last three years have been extremely important for the development of the Cypriot economy through foreign investment, as Cyprus is now an ideal destination for investors, offering security, stability and multiple tax advantages as well as excellent human resources.
The proposed tax reform is moving in the right direction since on the one hand it further strengthens the investment framework and on the other hand it gives impetus to Cypriot businesses with the changes so that there is equal treatment.
(Source: InBusinessNews)
