It is indeed with great emotion and satisfaction that in less than a month I find myself once again at the premises of the University of Cyprus for the laying of the foundation stone of yet another emblematic project, both for the development of the Institution and for society at large: The School of Medicine and Health Sciences "Nikos K. Siakolas".
For this, before any other reference, allow me to express the grateful thanks of the State and myself personally to Mr. Nikos and Mrs. Elpida Siakolas.
As a result of the special sensitivity and love that distinguishes them for our country and in continuation of a series of projects bearing their name, a multifaceted social contribution, Nikos and Elpida Siakola have closely linked their name with the course of the first Medical School in Cyprus.
Both the concession of the Siakola Educational Health Centre for the needs of the temporary housing of the Medical School and the generous financial contribution of nine million euros from their Foundation for the construction of the building we are founding today, are recognized as crucial for the development and qualitative evolution of the Medical School of the University of Cyprus.
Undoubtedly, through the high standard facilities of the building complex, which will provide academics and students with advanced scientific facilities, the already rich and productive work of the School will be strengthened and continued.
A direction which contributes substantially both to the achievement of the intended goal of making the School among the leading and internationally recognized in the field of medicine and to the continuation of the distinguished course of the University.
To this end, recognizing the evolution of the University of Cyprus into an ambitious, bold and outward-looking centre of scientific excellence and a source of intellectual wealth for the country, we have supported its operation over the years.
Suffice it to say that in addition to the various types of synergies that the State develops with the entire University community, we have satisfied a series of requests put before us, amounting to more than 217 million euros.
A conscious choice, as it is fully in line with the objective we have set for the establishment of the Medical School as a centre of excellence for research activity, student training, attracting renowned scientists and patient care in Cyprus.
And it is indeed with great pride that I welcome the fact that the School has already achieved tangible results on the above, placing our country on the international map of medical education.
The recognition and accreditation of the School, despite its short period of operation, by the World Federation for Medical Education is a confirmation of this.
Furthermore, according to the results of the QS World University Rankings in the Medicine category, the University of Cyprus has just last month been ranked among the 650 best universities worldwide. It is really what makes us proud because thanks to the deserving rectorial authorities, the administration of the University, the high quality university staff, the University of Cyprus, in just a few years of its operation, has managed to become a true benchmark of education around the world.
Our will is to continue to invest and strengthen in every way the operation of all medical schools in our country, focusing on the connection of education with the labor market and employment.
Our will is to continue to invest and strengthen in every way the operation of all medical schools in our country, focusing on the connection of education with the labor market and employment.
Effort, which will create those conditions that will allow the professional advancement of physicians and minimize chronic emigration and the loss of scientific and intellectual potential from the domestic market.
Moreover, the results of the parallel development and growth of the Medical Schools with the implementation of the General Health Care System and the possibility for medical students in Cyprus to practice in the state hospitals are well documented, since they contributed catalytically to the targeted effort for the reform and upgrading of the health care services provided.
What I must and want to note is that these prospects are clearly upgraded, especially in terms of strengthening medical research and innovation, through the rolling establishment and operation of University Clinics. A problem that has been plaguing our university institutions and medical schools for years, unfortunately, as a result of interventions by trade union organisations, trade union demands, an unacceptable arrogance on the part of medical staff, with the result that many of the professors of the Faculty of Medicine are forced to leave the University of Cyprus because they are deprived of university clinics. And it is unthinkable.
It is a reform which, I must admit, is already overdue, which does no credit to any of us, as Cyprus remains the only country in the European Union which does not have a university hospital and university clinic.
The relevant bill is before the Health Committee of the House of Representatives and I would like to hope that after years of discussions, but also disagreements, in a spirit of consensus but also of the existing needs, the urgent need to have university clinics, it will be passed and implemented, finally regulating in this way:
- The cooperation of the Medical Schools of the Universities with the Nursing Schools for the clinical training of the students of the Schools.
- The practice of clinical work by members of the academic staff of the University and teaching and research work by doctors and other staff of the Nursing Schools
- The establishment of affiliated and university clinics, as well as University Hospitals, in order to strengthen the production of original medical knowledge and the use of science for quality innovative medical processes.
I am absolutely sure that the new buildings of the Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences "Nikos K. Siakolas" will contribute as a strong component to this direction.
Therefore, I would like once again to congratulate my dear friends Mr. Nikos and Mrs. Elpida Sciakolas, while expressing the grateful thanks of the State for this selfless act of giving back to the University and, by extension, to our country.
I also warmly congratulate the Council, the Rectorial Authorities and the academic, research and administrative staff of the Faculty of Medicine for the fruitful work they have been doing over the years, as well as the entire Higher Academic Institution, achieving the acclaim and recognition it deserves among the most prestigious - and I emphasize this - international institutions.
In conclusion, I would like to congratulate the architects of the project and the successful consortium for the development of the new infrastructure of the University, in the hope that through diligence they will deliver the University School in the agreed time.
(PM/NG)
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