President Bill Clinton delivers message focused on linkage between higher education and economic development to Laureate International Universities member institution in Cyprus

BALTIMORE, July 21, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Today, President Bill Clinton addressed over 500 students, faculty and members of the European University Cyprus (EUC) community, in Nicosia, Cyprus.  During his speech he talked about the importance of investing in quality and innovative higher education that prepares tomorrow's leaders for an increasingly complex global environment.

The European University Cyprus is the only university in Cyprus to have earned the highest accreditation from the European Commission, making it one of only 40 universities in Europe to earn such a distinction. The university is widely recognized for its leading business and health science programs and has a strong track record of delivering strong student outcomes since it first joined the Laureate network in 2005.  In the fall of 2013, EUC is opening a new medical school—a milestone President Clinton recognized during his address. 

"European University Cyprus, like so many of its peers throughout the Laureate International Universities network, is raising the bar for higher education around the world," said President Clinton. "This institution's success is no accident. It was the result of a vision that was followed up with focused leadership, which enabled it to become the first private university in Cyprus and more recently helped it earn the approval to open a state of the art medical school next fall."

As Honorary Chancellor, President Clinton advises Laureate on social responsibility, youth leadership and increasing access to higher education. He has delivered his inspirational messages of expanding youth leadership and civic engagement to students and faculty at several institutions in the Laureate network, visiting institutions in Germany, Spain, Turkey, Malaysia, Brazil, Peru, Honduras and the United States.

"It is always a wonderful experience for our students to hear from President Clinton," said Douglas L. Becker, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Laureate Education. "The thoughtful words the President has shared with our students will continue to inspire and motivate them as they complete their programs and graduate into a world that needs their commitment and energy."

During his administration, President Clinton, the 42nd president of the United States (1993–2001), made the largest investment in education in more than 30 years. His commitment to improving the quality of education in the United States helped to expand access to early education and made higher education more affordable and accessible. After leaving office, he started the William J. Clinton Foundation and the Clinton Global Initiative (CGI) to empower people around the world to meet the challenges of global interdependence. CGI annual meetings have brought together more than 150 current and former heads of state, 20 Nobel Peace Prize laureates, and hundreds of leading CEOs, heads of foundations and NGOs, major philanthropists, and members of the media. CGI members have made more than 2,100 commitments, valued at $69 billion, towards improving the lives of nearly 400 million people in more than 180 countries.

This year, Laureate will be exclusively telecasting the annual meeting of the Clinton Global Initiative to all of the institutions in its network.

About Laureate International Universities

Laureate International Universities is a trusted global leader in providing access to high quality, innovative institutions of higher education. The Laureate International Universities network includes more than 60 accredited campus-based and online universities. Our more than 740,000 students are part of an academic community that spans 29 countries throughout North America, Latin America, Europe, North Africa, Asia and the Middle East. Laureate universities offer hundreds of undergraduate, master's and doctoral degree programs in fields including architecture, art, business, culinary arts, design, education, engineering, health sciences, hospitality management, information technology, law and medicine. President William J. Clinton, 42nd President of the United States, serves as The Honorary Chancellor of the Laureate International Universities network, offering advice on social responsibility, youth leadership and increasing access to higher education. For more information, visit www.laureate.net.

SOURCE Laureate International Universities