President inaugurates UCLan Cyprus, aim to reach 10,000 students

The government considers investments in education as a primary pillar for social and economic development and supports in every way, within its potentials, both the universities and graduate and postgraduate students, President Nicos Anastsaiades said during the UCLan Cyprus university inauguration ceremony in Pyla.
The Cyprus campus of the University of Central Lancashire (UCLan) was built at a cost of 38 mln euros and started operations in October 2012.
Anastasiades noted that “the founding and operation of a new university is something important for the tertiary education of our country, since it broadens the provided university education and at the same time contributes to the further development of scientific research and spiritual life.”
Furthermore it enhances our effort to establish Cyprus as an educational and research centre in the southeastern Mediterranean region, he added.
The President said that the development of higher education helps attract European and other financing in the fields of research and innovation, reinforces the cultural background of our people and makes Cyprus an active member and equal partner within the European and global arena.
Anastasiades hailed UCLan Cyprus’ cooperation agreements with local authorities and the state University of Cyprus for the exchange of students an academic staff as part of the Horizon2020 programme of the EU.
The university’s Managing Director, Floros Voniatis, said that future plans for UCLan Cyprus include expanding own facilities over the next ten years to accommodate 10,000 students.
Plans include the creation of centres for scientific and technology research, a business development centre, a library, a park and a ‘hub’ for activities and entertainment.
UCLan Cyprus has three primary departments: the School of Business Management, the School of Sciences and the School of Law, that includes a virtual court.
Voniatis added that the university offers a full scholarship to first-year students with a high school grade of 19.5-20, a half scholarship to students with a grade of 18.5-19.49 and free intensive courses in English for students already enrolled at UCLan Cyprus.