New universities in Cyprus to attract more students, boost research

— Spending up 40%, lure professors with higher pay

 

When the Intercollege, Cyprus College and the Frederick Institute of Technology received their university accreditations last week, they opened up new opportunities for students and academics alike. Many Cypriots are now expected to stay home to study, while the island attracts new teaching professors with competitive salaries.

The three colleges have now been transformed to the University of Nicosia, the European University Cyprus and Frederick University, all eager to boost their student intake by about 2,000 each over the next few years.

New students are also expected from Greece, east Europe and the Far East.

In addition to the campuses of the state University of Cyprus in Nicosia and the Cyprus University of Technology in Limassol, the three private universities will also help develop business opportunities for service providers and cultivate the island’s student community that will generate future leaders.

The combined budgets of the three new private universities is expected to rise by about 40% from their college days, while payrolls will also expand by up to 60% to satisfy higher-standard professors.

Funds for research are now expected to boost the academic work of many students and professors that will also help the founders of these institutions realise their life-long ambitions of transforming Cyprus into a regional education centre of excellence.

The University of Nicosia has four schools, while Intercollege will continue to offer two-year diplomas and professional courses such as ACCA, CFA as well as culinary arts, office management and other subjects.

Frederick University will look to tap into new sources for research grants in order to fund incubator programmes and joint ventures.

It boasts six academic schools, but will maintain the Frederick Institute of Technology as a separate but downsized entity with an estimated 500 students following career-driven diploma courses.

The aim at Frederick is to increase the number of foreign students, especially from Greece that has an estimated 60,000 students at accredited overseas universities.

The faculty at Frederick University are also concerned with electronic illiteracy, so they plan to give out free PCs to students in the first year.

The European University Cyprus is counting on its link with Laureate International Universities to boost overseas enrolment to its four main schools. The Cyprus College too will continue to operate offering professional studies such as ACCA, CFA, dance and office administration.