I feel particularly happy today, because the building we are inaugurating is an important milestone in the educational events of our country, as it comes to strengthen in the most appropriate way the institution of vocational education and training in Cyprus.
An absolutely necessary institution that must combine education with the needs of the market. An institution that was necessary to revive what, unfortunately, with the abolition of the ATI programme, had created some gaps in higher education in relation to the needs of the market.
This ultra-modern, impressive building that we are inaugurating both as the administrative headquarters of MIEEK and for the teaching of their programmes has been built after the noble donation of 10 million, so far only 8.5 million have been spent,
Six years ago, when the donor and founder of the organization approached me expressing his admiration for what we as the Republic of Cyprus, as a government, had achieved in dealing with the crisis, and told me that he was ready to make a donation of 10 million, so that the Government could choose what it would pay attention to, I said that for me the abolition of the ATI has always been a mistake. Therefore the opportunity is given to build a school of higher technical education that can meet the needs of the modern labour market.
Thus, and with his consent, it was decided to donate to the Republic of Cyprus for the construction of this state-of-the-art school designed by the trustees of the trust with the only concession from the state being the land.
Thus, and with his consent, it was decided to donate to the Republic of Cyprus for the construction of this state-of-the-art school designed by the trustees of the trust with the only concession from the state being the land. Some problems were encountered in finding land, but thanks to the cooperation with the Municipality of Germasogeia and the relevant government departments it was possible today to witness a new foundation in terms of higher technical education.
I cannot but feel happy because we are realizing a vision that concerns our young people, their technical education, the opportunity that will be given to them in a better and more effective way to respond to the needs of the market and this is what the absolute charitable trust has offered through its donation, which is why I believe that it is now rightly called the absolute institute of technical education.
MIEEKs with the variety of programmes they offer contribute significantly to the reduction of unemployment by offering quality, but also flexible programmes of study in areas where there is a great demand in the labour market. I do not know whether there is a greater or more necessary offer to young people to have them scientifically trained so that they can respond to the real needs of the modern market. I consider what we are launching today to be a project of the utmost importance, and I hope and I am sure that it will respond precisely to the needs of our young people. It gives another dimension to technical education.
Previously I was at the foundation of the Second Technical School and it is no coincidence that our city is also home to the CTEPAK, whose programmes have to do precisely with technical education or part of it and with technical education.
What we are inaugurating today is the antechamber for those who wish to continue, but more importantly, the graduates of the Institute will have all the comfort of direct employment.
I feel particularly happy because I am the one who inaugurates, the one who accepted the proposal and the one who implemented the proposal.
(PM/NG/EXP)
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