The University of Cyprus (UCY) administration discussed the possibilities of developing educational and cultural relations with the Ambassador of Hungary to Cyprus, Dr. Krisztina Lakos, who paid a visit to the University. The University of Cyprus noted in a press release that Hungary, which holds the ?residency of the Council of the European Union for this semester, seeks and strengthens collaborations in the field of higher education and health. The Ambassador was accompanied by Professor Béla Merkely, Rector of the Semmelweis University of Hungary. The delegation also comprised members of Semmelweis' administrative staff, Dr. Katalin Iacovidou Balika, and members of the Hungarian Embassy in Cyprus. It is also noted that the visit began with an extensive tour of the Shakolas Education Centre for Clinical Medicine (SECCM), where the Ambassador was informed about the training and research programmes offered by the University of Cyprus in the field of medicine. In addition, the visitors visited the Campus a nd in particular the 'Stelios Ioannou' Learning Resource Centre. It is added that the two sides participated in a constructive discussion on the possibilities of developing joint research programs and educational initiatives, while later on participants watched, along with students, graduates and officials the Hungarian film "Semmelweis" that was nominated for an Oscar. In their addresses, the Ambassador of Hungary, Dr. Krisztina Lakos, the Rector of Semmelweis University, Professor Béla Merkely, Dr. Katalin Iacovidou Balika, and the Rector of the University of Cyprus, Professor Tasos Christofidis, stressed "the value of international cooperation in higher education, the importance of the history of medicine and its contribution to the promotion of European values". The action, constitutes a strong basis for the further development of relations between the two universities and, more broadly, the two countries, and is expected to lead to important collaborations at the level of research, education and stude nt exchanges, the press release concluded Source: Cyprus News Agency