Inaugurating new CUT facilities, President says education growth is a priority (pics)

Founding a university and constructing new facilities constitute a major public project with a strong imprint on society, President Nikos Christodoulides said during the inauguration of the Cyprus University of Technology's new School of Tourism, Hospitality and Entrepreneurship Management in Paphos.

Christodoulides said that as President of the Republic and an individual who devoted himself to university education, the 31 October event was a source of joy, pride, and satisfaction. He went on to say that the growth of education and health sectors affect horizontally all areas of governance and are linked to the intellectual, economic, and social progress of society.

The President noted that the government attaches particular importance to the expansion and deepening of higher education, public and private, being a source of spiritual as well as physical development and progress.

He went on to say that having foreign students coming to Cyprus for their education is particularly significant, adding that the introduction of English as a teaching language in Cyprus universities will promote competitiveness.

He also said that the opening of the new school in Paphos marks the beginning of a new era for both CUT (also known by its Greek acronym TEPAK) and the Paphos district as a whole.

The President also praised the work carried out in the past by the previous government and the parliamentary education committee.

He said that one of the biggest challenges they have to face as a government is the migration crisis, adding that the hotel industry is in need of employees and that it has been requested that the government grant work permission to nationals from third countries. The President described this request as a just one.

CUT rector, Professor Panagiotis Zafiris said that the new School buildings are one of the most modern on the island, and its opening marks the university’s expansion to a new city and their commitment to providing high-quality education and training in the fields of tourism, hospitality, and entrepreneurship.

He also said that in collaboration with the Municipality of Larnaca, they are preparing a proposal for the set up of a School of Marine Sciences, Technology and Sustainable Development.

CUT’s board President Dr Christos Chomatas said that they are celebrating the completion of a major construction project and at the same time the beginning of another major project, that of the contribution to the society of knowledge.

Paphos Mayor Phedon Phedonos said that tonight a vision the municipality had becomes a reality. He said that besides the growth and progress of the city itself, the new School will contribute to the growth of the economy as a whole.

(Source: CNA, PIO)