Founding of the Institute for Interdisciplinary Studies

In the early 1990s Nelly Tsouyopoulos – professor for the history of medicine at the University of Münster – and Mr. Andros Nicolaides – Cypriot ambassador to Germany from 1992 until 1996 – developed the idea of establishing an Institute for Cypriot Studies in Germany. In 2002 they were both awarded with the medal of friendship by the University of Münster for their efforts concerning the founding of the Institute. Enthusiastic support with regard to their project N. Tsouyopoulos and A. Nicolaides gained from the then Minister of Education and Culture of the Republic of Cyprus, Mrs. Claire Angelidou, and Peter Funke, professor for ancient history at the University of Münster. 

On June 28th, 1995 Claire Angelidou and the then Rector of the University of Münster, Prof. Dr. Gustav Dieckheuer, signed the declaration of intent concerning the founding of that Institute.

In May 1996 Sabine Rogge started to work in the Institute as a managing director.

The dean of the faculty of history and philosophy, Prof. Dr. Manfred Botzenhart, became the Institute's director (until 2000)

October 1996:
When meeting in Nicosia Nelly Tsouyopouloos (left) informed the Cypriot Minister of Education and Culture Claire Angelidou (right) about the first activities of the Institute, established at the University of Münster only about half a year ago.

December 1996:
The Cypriot Ambassador, Andros Nicolaides (2nd from the left), during the first visit he paid to the newly established Institute for Interdisciplinary Cypriot Studies – accompanied by Prof. Dr. R.-E. Mohrmann (left), vice rector of the University of Münster, Prof. Dr. Nelly Tsouyopoulos (in the middle), the University's Chancellor, Dr. K. Anderbrügge (2nd from the right) and Prof. Dr. P. Funke.