The government will continue to invest in higher education, research, and innovation, assured the President of the Republic, Nikos Christodoulides, in his remarks on Friday at the cornerstone-laying ceremony for the School of Marine Sciences, Technology, and Sustainable Development at the Cyprus University of Technology (TEPAK) in Larnaca.
“A demanding process was followed, with the completion of the necessary institutional, legislative, and financial steps,” the President said regarding the project, expressing satisfaction that all difficulties had been overcome, “The planning has moved forward, and today we are here for the groundbreaking ceremony.”
ΣΧΕΤΙΚΑ ΑΡΘΡΑ
“We will do the same for the port and the marina in Larnaca. Properly, institutionally, and in accordance with the law, so that there are no problems and we are not led to announce something only to be forced, due to institutional, legal, and other obstacles, to terminate projects,”he noted.
President Christodoulides also noted that this is a particularly important day for Larnaca, as it marks a new chapter in the city’s development and, more broadly, in the country’s higher education.
He stated that, for him, “today is of special significance, which is why I am here,” and recalled that in March 2025, during a regional meeting for the Larnaca district, he had announced the government’s decision to proceed with the establishment of the School. ““A decision that was not limited to fulfilling a very justified request, but was part of a broader plan for the future of the city and of higher education in our country,” he added.
The significance of the School, the President said, is not limited to the construction of its facilities. “Its creation is part of a broader plan for the development of higher education in our country, strengthening research and innovation, and forging closer ties—and I must say, CUT is leading the way—between our universities and the needs of society and the economy,” he stated.
“We want our universities to offer high-quality programs, to attract distinguished scholars, and to generate knowledge that helps address society’s real needs and contributes to improving citizens’ daily lives,” he said.
He noted that Larnaca is a city whose history, identity, and future are inextricably linked to the sea. “And I believe it is particularly symbolic that it is gaining a university school that will focus precisely on marine sciences, technology, and sustainable development,” he added.
The sea, he said, “is part of our history, a source of economic activity, and a field of enormous potential for the future of our country.”
“The protection and sustainable use of our marine resources, especially in the face of challenges such as climate change, require scientific knowledge, specialized human resources, and innovative solutions,” said President Christodoulides.
He noted that, at the same time, it is also particularly important that the degree programs to be offered and the research to be conducted are linked to the real needs of the labor market and the prospects of the blue economy.
The investment, he noted, therefore concerns not only academic development but also the development of new skills, creating career opportunities for young people, and strengthening sectors in which Cyprus has comparative advantages and the potential for significant growth.
At the same time, he said, the establishment of the School creates very significant opportunities for research and innovation. “The presence in Larnaca of the Cyprus Institute for the Sea and Shipping, as well as the opportunity to collaborate with other research and industrial entities, creates the conditions for the development of a robust ecosystem of knowledge and research centered on the sea,” he added.
He also noted that the city of Kimon “is gaining, for the first time, a permanent presence of a public university school” and that this marks a significant turning point in the city’s educational, social, and economic life.
Referring to the issue of housing, the President said that “there is available space on this site, so that we can also move forward with student housing,” thereby addressing any challenges arising from the presence of students, faculty, and researchers. He noted that this presence creates a new dynamic, strengthens the local economy, creates opportunities for collaboration with businesses and other organizations, attracts talent, and contributes to the enrichment of a city’s social and cultural life.
President Christodoulides also addressed the issue of the Cultural Capital. He said that by 2027, the Cabinet will approve the next round of co-funded programs worth 3.5 billion euros, and called on city authorities to finalize all projects, so that they can be approved and Larnaca will be fully prepared for the 2030 Capital of Culture.
“Today demonstrates what we can achieve when the government, local government, and the country’s institutions of higher education work together toward a common goal,” he said.
“For our part, we will continue to invest in higher education, research, and innovation. Because we believe that this country’s greatest asset is its human capital. And the most important investment we can make as a nation is to provide them with the knowledge, the capabilities, and the opportunities to succeed,” he added, wishing the project a “good start.”
