[Cyprus Times] President Anastasiades laid the foundation stone of the Biological Sciences Building of the University of Cyprus

The foundation stone of the Biological Sciences Building of the A.G. Leventis Foundation at the University of Cyprus (BC) was laid on Wednesday afternoon by the President of the Republic, Nicos Anastasiades, who underlined the role of the A.G. Leventis Foundation.C. Leventis in the establishment and development of the University, since part of the cost of the construction of the building came from a donation of €6 million. The laying of the foundation stone took place in the presence of state officials, church representatives, members of the academic community and students.C. Leventis, Anastasios P. Leventis, the President of the Council of the PC, Andreas K. Christofides, and the Rector of the PC, Tasos Christofides.[/P]

With the deposit of the Foundation Stone, a jar with the deed signed by the President, coins and banknotes that are currently in circulation, the current press, newspaper clippings with references to the project, as well as other material related to the building under construction were placed in the well of the construction site.

In his address, President Anastasiades recalled that, in addition to the donation for the building under construction, the A.C. Leventis had contributed €6.5 million in 2004 for the construction of the "Anastasios Leventis" Senate building. He stressed that, with its generous financial contributions, the Leventis family offers the University the opportunity to incorporate new areas of education and research in cutting-edge fields.

"The University, like all Higher Educational Institutions, is valued by the State as a nucleus of social, economic and cultural development," the President said, citing a number of ongoing projects such as the Faculty of Engineering, the Cancer Research Institute and the Dr. Artemis Hadjipanagis", while he noted that the implementation of the second Photovoltaic Park and the new Campus Energy Centre is being promoted through international competitions.

He also said that the Government has taken the decision to increase the amount of the existing loan from the European Investment Bank by €20 million to finance additional infrastructure projects, such as the creation of a green park in the heart of the campus, while the negotiation of additional loan agreements amounting to €45 million is under consideration. The President added that within the framework of the National Plan "Cyprus - Tomorrow",

[/B] a budget of €28 million is included for the transfer of the University's School of Architecture to the Faneromeni School and the construction of student residences.[/P]

The President added that within the framework of the National Plan "Cyprus - Tomorrow",[/B] a budget of €28 million is included for the transfer of the University's School of Architecture to the Faneromeni School and the creation of student residences.

"I am absolutely sure that the Building of the Department of Biological Sciences "A.G. Leventis Foundation" will be a place of scientific excellence and a source of intellectual wealth for the University and, by extension, for our country", concluded the President.C. Leventis Foundation "is consistent with the desire to encourage education, environmental sustainability and research in biological sciences."

In conclusion, he expressed confidence that all parties involved will work in such a way that the new infrastructure will be made available to academics, scientists, researchers and students within the predetermined timeframes.

In conclusion, he expressed confidence that all parties involved will work in such a way that the new infrastructure will be made available to academics, scientists, researchers and students within the predetermined timeframes.

In his address, Anastasios Leventis described the ceremony of the laying of the Foundation Stone of the Faculty of Biological Sciences as a milestone, which is, as he said, a major new development for the BC. He also referred to the reasons why the A.G. Leventis Foundation chose to fund this building, pointing out the serious effects of climate change worldwide, but especially in Cyprus, where species of fauna are disappearing, rainfall is drastically decreasing and temperatures are rising.

"Economic growth in a world of limited natural resources cannot continue indefinitely," Leventis stressed, referring to economist A. Smith, and stressed the importance of utilizing sustainable development practices, including alternative tourism, as friendly to Natura protected areas. "Science will allow us to find means to gently and sustainably exploit our natural wealth," he concluded, expressing the hope that the Faculty of Biological Sciences at PK will contribute to this.

For his part, Rector Tasos Christofides pointed out that the A.G. Leventis Foundation has been supporting the BC for 12 consecutive years, with research funding, cultural activities, scholarships and strategic infrastructure support. He stressed that the support to the Faculty of Biological Sciences Building is not accidental, recalling the donors' sensitivity and responsibility to environmental and biodiversity issues. He made special reference to Petra Square, the open space of the building, "which will be designed to remind visitors of the donors' place of origin."

The Rector also stressed that the climate crisis and the pandemic have highlighted the importance of the intervention of science and faith in its findings. "Scientists bear a huge responsibility in disseminating the truth and communicating it to the wider society," he said, adding that the infrastructure of PK is not alienated from this important mission. He thanked both the donors and the state for their support, as well as the team of architects for designing the project as a green building with sustainability features and compatible with its surroundings, and expressed the hope that "with dedication and consistency" the execution deadlines would be met.

The President of the PC Council, Andreas K. Christofides, referred in his address to the valuable contribution of the A.G. Leventis Foundation to PC, as well as to the support of the state in the implementation of the University's objectives. As he said, for a project "which begins in an economic and political environment characterized by instability and inflationary tendencies, the coordination and cooperation of everyone is required in order to complete it within the agreed schedule."

The building, which occupies an area of around 8.400 m2 and is organised on five levels and in two zones, depending on their degree of accessibility, it includes reception areas, research laboratories, support areas for research activities, seminar rooms, academic offices, researchers' rooms, an animal (rodent) conservation unit and others.

During the presentation of its architectural features, particular reference was made to Petra Square as a social meeting place, as well as to the fact that emphasis was placed on its environmental performance, its resilience to extreme weather events, and its ability to meet 40%-50% of its energy needs.

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