Neapolis University Pafos participated in the final phase of the 47th International Collegiate Programming Contest (ICPC) held in Luxor, Egypt, on April 18, 2024. This marks the first time a Cypriot university secured participation in the final phase of this prestigious global competition.
The ICPC, a globally recognized annual multi-tiered, team-based programming competition, is the largest event of its kind, attracting interest from major academic institutions worldwide. This year, over 50,000 students from more than 3,000 universities across 111 countries participated in local and regional contests to secure a place in the world finals. The competition, which included over 400 qualifying contests, is a testament to the extensive scale and competitive spirit of the event.
Proudly, the Neapolis University Pafos ranked 79th, surpassing several globally recognized institutions, such as the National University of Singapore (ranked 19th globally among universities according to Times Higher Education and 3rd in the Asian university rankings), the American University of Beirut (ranked among the top 501-600 universities globally), and the University of Maryland (ranked 114th globally). The competition also featured renowned institutions like the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), which secured the 26th position; Stanford University, ranked 32nd; and ETH Zurich, ranked 35th. The presence of these top universities underscores the exceptionally high level of competition in the event.
Some of the world’s top programming talents from institutions such as the National Research University Higher School of Economics, Peking University, Moscow Institute of Physics and Technology, Harbour Space University—Barcelona Campus, and Tsinghua University secured the top five positions.
The Neapolis University Pafos’ remarkable qualification for the final phase and its commendable ranking in such a fiercely competitive environment not only underscores its commitment to excellence in education but also sets a high standard for the development of critical and analytical thinking skills in its students. This achievement also serves as a beacon of hope, showcasing the potential of Cypriot universities to compete internationally and inspiring other institutions in Cyprus to strive for similar heights.
The delegation comprised Chuckin Nikolai, Filippov Stepan, Vaskin Vsevolod, their coach Pavel Marvin, and the Head of the Department of Computer Science and Vice-Rector for Research and Innovation, Savvas Chatzichristofis.
In a bid to further enhance its academic profile, the Neapolis University Pafos has taken a proactive step by participating in the bidding process to host the European segment of ICPC, known as ICPC Europe, in Cyprus in 2026. This initiative, which serves as a qualifying phase for the finals of the competition, aims to bring the competition to Cypriot soil, thereby elevating the country’s profile in international academic circles. The university’s mission was further bolstered by the presence of Mr. Dimitris Scourides, Chief Scientist of the Republic of Cyprus, whose support underscored the national significance of this effort.
