University school one step closer for Larnaca

Work has already begun in Larnaca for the creation of a School of Marine Sciences, Technology, and Sustainable Development of the Cyprus University of Technology (Tepak), mayor Andreas Vyras said on Monday.

The facility is due to be built near Makenzie beach and is expected to be ready by 2027.

Vyras thanked Tepak rector Panayiotis Zaphiris on behalf of the municipal council “for the efforts and for the spirit of good cooperation to achieve the important goal.”

The focus at the moment is an economic viability and strategic plan for the school submitted to the government, and specifically to President Nikos Christodoulides, by Tepak.

Zaphiris said that for the preparation of the study, Tepak engaged all relevant partners and entities to enable the government to take the necessary actions for the implementation of the new school.

“Based on the guidance of the finance ministry, to determine the financial, administrative and other costs, we placed particular emphasis on the economic aspect of establishing the school,” Zaphiris said.

After the state approves the proposal, an international advisory committee will be established to develop the study programmes offered by the school in detail, Zaphiris added.

This will be followed by any necessary internal procedures for the final approval of the school’s establishment and the accredited process for the departments and their study programmes by the Cyprus Agency of Quality Assurance and Accreditation in Higher Education (CYQAA).

“The proposal evaluates the market and demand and includes a strategic plan and an economic analysis with the goal of creating a school with international recognition that will provide education and research opportunities in vital areas of the blue and green economy,” he said.

The establishment of the School is expected to attract students locally and internationally, offering programmes in English through the European University of Technology alliance (EUt+), and collaborations with international institutions, enhancing international recognition.