According to a press release, the decision to award Kyriakides an honorary doctorate was unanimously taken by the Senate and the University Council, “for her overall contribution to the health sector and especially to the management of the crisis of the coronavirus pandemic, benefiting millions of European citizens”. Kyriakides graduated from the University of Reading in 1977.

During the ceremony, a special reference was made to the European Health Union, under the Commissioner’s supervision, to the strengthening of EU scientific Organisations, Europe’s plan to fight cancer, with a budget of €4 billion, to the new pharmaceutical reform that will ensure equality of access to medicines, the European health data space to digitize health systems and the EU’s first comprehensive approach to mental health.

According to the press release, during the ceremony, Kyriakides’ contributions as a pioneer in the field of psychology were highlighted, along with her contribution regarding the rights of women with breast cancer, children as well as all patients. Reference was also made to the various positions she has held up to today, such as that of the first President of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe hailing from Cyprus.