Eastern Mediterranean University

The Eastern Mediterranean region includes the lands of the ancient Greek, Roman and Byzantine empires. It is also home to modern nation-states of Egypt, Cyprus and Greece. The region has a natural setting and a history rich in culture and learning. Because of this, it has become the ideal place to establish an international university.

Early contributors to the E.M.U. experimented with education in the region and tried to create a good learning environment for archaeologists, biologists and other students. They chose Crete as their formal university location due to its natural setting—located on a mountain overlooking Hora Lagoon. This natural body of water served as a natural classroom; students observed the aquatic animals in the area. The University of Minnesota took this idea one step further when they installed a wild animal habitat for their biology classes. Essentially, an educational space can be anything that encourages learning when it adopts a unique learning environment.

Students came from all over the world to attend at E.M., forming an ideal academic community. Many came from European countries like Germany, Switzerland and Poland. Other countries contributed students as well— Cyprus contributed large numbers of students based on its close proximity to Greece and also due to its rich history with the Eastern Mediterranean University. There were several Chinese students at E.M., including some who had studied at prestigious universities back home. Students came from all over the world to attend at E.M., forming an ideal academic community. Many came from European countries like Germany, Switzerland and Poland. Other countries contributed students as well— Cyprus contributed large numbers of students based on its close proximity to Greece and also due to its rich history with the Eastern Mediterranean University.[2]

Numerous publications emerged from E.M.’s contributors, especially from notable figures such as Isaac Newton and Alexander Fleming. Participants published journals on ecology, biology, archaeology and other subjects related to their studies within nature. A library housed in the same building accommodated these publications along with textbooks for lectures given by professors from around the world

The natural environment of the Eastern Mediterranean made the university a good choice for early contributors to E.M.. The Greek world was the ideal academic community for early attendees due to similar languages used in school curriculum and study facilities at E.M.. Furthermore, many early participants were based in countries that contributed many students to E.M.. To complement its natural beauty, E.M.’s formal university contained an aquatic classroom where students could observe animals in nature.