Cyprus University increases student intake to 1021

Costas Christofides, Vice-Rector of Academic Affairs at the University of Cyprus said the University’s aim is to increase the number of students to 7,500 by the academic year of 2011-20012. “This year there is a 17-18% increase on the number of students admitted at the University of Cyprus”, namely 1021 newcomers, comparing to the 850 last year, Christofides said.
A total of 5.100 students were studying at the University of Cyprus in 2007. The number has increased to 5.550 in 2008 and more than 6.000 are expected to study in 2009. “Gradually, 500 students are to be added every year until we reach the number of 7.500 students by the academic year of 2011-1012”, Christofides added.
The Vice-Rector of Academic Affairs also noted that a Department of Law in the Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences has been established this year.
Regarding the University students that come from Greece, Christofides said that they have increased from 500 in 2007, to 1600 in 2008.
“More students from Greece are interested in securing a placement at the University of Cyprus, due to the quality of the University”, Christofides pointed out.
Moreover, Christofides said that the University has a crucial role to play in the field of research. “The University of Cyprus is gradually being established as the steam-engine of research development in Cyprus”, he stressed.
Referring to the research programmes, financed by the European Union, Christofides noted the increasing number of postgraduate students being employed by the University.
“The University is also gradually becoming the largest employer in Cyprus, not with state finance but with European money'', Christofides concluded.