"It is our conviction that our country can become a regional centre of quality opportunities for university education, research, excellence and lifelong learning in cutting-edge areas." This was stated by President of the Republic, Nicos Anastasiades, during his address at the graduation ceremony of the University of Cyprus (UC), citing the state's actions to support higher education in the country, particularly UC.
Specifically, he referred to the government's targeted policy for higher education, noting that the University of Cyprus "completed projects that increased the dynamics of the institution, such as the construction of the Stelios Ioannou Library", the renovation and upgrading of the facilities of the Sciakleio Health Education Centre, which currently houses the Medical School of the University, the renovation and upgrading of the historically important area of the former Pedagogical Academy".
He added that further infrastructure projects are also being promoted, such as the construction of the Faculty of Engineering, which is currently underway, the Cancer Research Institute, the School of Medicine and Health Sciences "Nikos K. Siakolas", the Medical and Biological Sciences Teaching Building "Dr. Artemis Hadjipanagis" and the Building of the Department of Biological Sciences "A.G. Leventis Foundation".
The President stressed that the development program of the MC promoted by the government has resulted in "the campus resembling a construction site at this time". Besides, he did not fail to point out that a large part of the program is covered by donations from citizens, but also by a loan of 194 million euros, which the state has drawn from the European Investment Bank and the Council of Europe Development Bank.
"Of paramount importance for the upward trend of the University is the Government's decision to increase the amount of the existing loan from the European Investment Bank by 20 million euros, which will allow the promotion of additional infrastructure projects, such as the creation of a green park in the heart of the campus," he added, noting that additional loan credits of 45 million euros are under study for the construction of 700 new beds in the University's dormitories.
President Anastasiades also referred to the approval of the financing of the Centre of Excellence for Research and Innovation KOIOS and the Centre of Excellence for Biobank and Biomedical Research, with a total amount of 30 million euros, as well as the transfer of the University's School of Architecture to the Faneromeni school and the creation of student residences, with an amount of 28 million euros.
"As a result of the policy we have adopted, Cyprus has emerged in recent years as a pole of attraction for students, academics and researchers, while our institutions are distinguished in the university ranking systems of prestigious international and European organisations," the President said, expressing his satisfaction with the fact that the University of Cyprus is among the 400 and 500 best universities in the world, while among the newly established ones it is in the 90th rank.
He continued by stating that today, out of a total of 54,235 students studying in Cyprus' Higher Education Institutions during the spring semester of the previous academic year, 23,812 are Cypriot citizens (44%), 21.611 are citizens of other European countries (40%), while 8.812 are citizens of third countries (16%). These figures compare with the fact that in the academic year 2012-2013, out of a total of 32.000 students, only 8.000 citizens of other European and third countries were studying in the country's higher education institutions. He stressed that "all public and private institutions of higher education in our country and not only are equally supported by the University of Cyprus".
In conclusion, he congratulated the graduates, noting that their degree is both a reward for their hard work and paves the way for a new page in life, with "the principles and values given to you by your parents, who today, along with you, rightly feel proud of themselves", as he said. "Always remember that your success will be a success both for your University and for our country," President Anastasiades added.
He then paid special tribute to Marios Andreou, a graduate of the Department of Mathematics and Statistics, and Eleftheria Kelekidou, of the Department of Economics, who scored the highest marks and who, as a reward, were awarded the first and second prizes of the President of the Republic of Cyprus respectively.
Finally, he congratulated the Council and the Rectorial Authorities, as well as the Academic and Research Staff of the University of Cyprus, "for the rich and beneficial work they produce, with creative impact at local and international level."
Source: CNA
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