Filenews 10 October 2021 - by Vassos Vassiliou
It is planned to build dormitories that can accommodate 1,900 students. There will be a photovoltaic park which will produce 10 megawatts. It is building the most expensive building of its kind in Cyprus at the moment, costing €75 million, and has generally launched the implementation of 16 major projects by the year 2029. It also plans the creation of a lake and by the end of the year its implementation will be announced.
It is not an advertisement of a private company but concerns part of the programming of the University of Cyprus, which is donated by Cypriot citizens, to whom it returns gratitude by educating tens of thousands of children, providing a high level of education.
On the occasion of the prospect of relocating the School of Architecture to the building of Faneromeni, in the historic centre of Nicosia, the decision to demolish old buildings in Athalassa (which were eventually saved by the intervention of "F") and some works under construction, the Rector of the University, Mr. Tasos Christofides, suggested that we say them closely "at the crime scene". He speaks passionately about the University and recalls that when around 1992, he was hired with three other colleagues and they settled in an office at the Pedagogical Academy, he did not think "how far the project would go", since the project was big and unprecedented for Cyprus.
"All and all Mr. Rector but photovoltaic park and even high capacity at a time when there is already a small park within the University", we asked. It came as a surprise to me when I was informed that the University (all buildings, facilities, machinery, etc.) consumes electricity annually at a cost of about €3.5 million. As he explains, the aim is that when the project is completed, the electricity needs will be fully covered. (It is worth noting that, as "F" previously wrote, Nicosia General Hospital consumes electricity worth about €4 million). The Rector explains that the amount is large, so it was decided to install a photovoltaic park in the buffer zone located near the University. Work is already underway in consultation with the United Nations which approved the implementation of the project and everything is going well.
As the Rector explains, the EAC approved the installation of 5 megawatt photovoltaics with the prospect of increasing them to 10 megawatts. The cost of electricity consumption may be covered by the state, but it was judged that ways should be found to reduce the cost, said Mr. Christofides, who notes that in all buildings of the University there are photovoltaics, while in the University premises there is already a small photovoltaic park.
The Rector would like to take this opportunity to thank the State for its timeless support, the taxpayers as well as the various donors who, since the foundation of the University (until today), have offered approximately €50 million. Among the projects that have been implemented or are being implemented with a contribution from donors are the University Library (which is considered one of the most remarkable) with a contribution of €8-€10 million, the Medical School with a donation of €9 million, the Building of Biological Sciences with €6 million, the configuration of the teaching areas of the Building of Biological Sciences with €3 million, etc.
The university's premises and objectives
We walk with the Rector in the premises of the University, where we meet students with whom he exchanges greetings. As a guest I realize that the head of the University, which occupies an area of 1.2 square kilometres, feels at home. He considers the University a living city with laboratories, a library, classrooms, works of art, sports facilities, spaces for social activities and green spaces that, he says, are a source of inspiration for the community and the wider society.
"What does society have to do with it?"? Society's citizens can use the University's library, its stadiums and the open facilities for walking, resting, etc., he says. The University is a place of inspiration, creation and fellowship, he adds.
He speaks enthusiastically about access to the knowledge offered by the University, to conduct cutting-edge research, to achieve scientific synergies and to interact with society in order to develop. It hopes that the Foundation will play a leading role in the single European area of research and higher education.
"This is where we house the dreams of our youth, their hopes, their plans for the future. This is where tomorrow is proposed," he says.
Especially for the modern infrastructure that is formed, he observes that they make the University competitive in the international arena. "What is needed," he continues, "is further modernization of aspects of the legislation governing the University to be more flexible and to be able to welcome more foreign students into this wonderful space. Internationalization is now of strategic importance for the development of a university institution".
The Development Plan until 2029
The University of Cyprus, through the Technical Services (TY) and the Campus Development Office (G.O.P.P.), has been implementing for several years, as the Rector explains, a grandiose development plan that aims at creating and maintaining a modern, quality, flexible, green and functional building environment. The environment that is being developed aims to serve the needs of the University in terms of teaching, research and social contribution, enhancing its vision to become one of the leading Universities in the international arena.
An important pillar is, according to Mr. Christofides, the satisfaction of all users of the university community and the wider society through high-level facilities, in an enriched natural environment, easily accessible and accessible to all, energy autonomous and with low levels of energy consumption.
The Rector also explains that the Campus, with the completion of its building facilities, will be able to serve up to 10,000 students in total and is expected to include almost all faculties and departments, teaching and research areas. It also includes entertainment and support facilities, library and information center areas and other facilities that complement the University's field of activity.
In the General Spatial Plan (MSF), which was completed in 1993 and revised in 2008, three main nuclei of presence of the University of Cyprus in Nicosia were identified: University Campus, Academy and Old Town of Nicosia. The plan was revised again in the period 2015 - 2019.
In the context of the University's building development, to date ten important and other smaller projects have been completed in various phases on the Campus. In addition, much is being implemented and some are being pushed forward for implementation.
For art and culture
The Rector explains that the staff, students and visitors of the University of Cyprus come into daily contact with works of art. These are, he explains, works that were donated to the University of Cyprus or that were created in the context of public tenders.
He also explains that apart from the acquisition of scientific knowledge and the conduct of research, the purpose of the University is the cultivation of social and cultural education, the development of empathy and the friction with art and culture, elements and principles that enhance the development of the individual.
Mr. Christofides also notes that the infrastructure of the University of Cyprus is for the organization the tool and the means of creation. The space where the members of the community meet each other as well as with the wider society is a lively educational and research center that must constantly be developed and adapted to the demands of the time. "The vigilance of those involved in the maintenance, development and construction of the facilities, as well as the perceptive design of the infrastructure, enable the efficient operation of the University of Cyprus and strengthen the university community in its perpetual journey to conquer knowledge", he concludes.
In 2026, the School of Architecture will operate in Faneromeni
The discussion began with the building of Faneromeni and we ask the Rector information of "F", that in the early stages Archbishop Chrysostomos asked for a rent of €200,000 per year to grant the building. Mr. Christofides says that the University will not pay rent, which was taken over by the Ministry of Finance, which is handling the whole matter. He explains, however, that any initial amount would obviously be differentiated since the Government, which pays the rent on behalf of the University, will spend about €6 million. for an earthquake upgrade of the building and the amount is assumed to be taken into account in the agreement.
Regarding "when the School of Architecture will operate in the building of Faneromeni", the Rector explains that initially the design of the anti-seismic upgrade of the building will be assigned, which will last a year and a half. Subsequently, tenders will be announced and the maintenance / upgrade of the building will begin, which will last for two years. Hopefully, the building will be ready by the middle of the year 2026. In remarking that it may have been premature for students to move from Faneromeni school, Mr. Christofides said that the University was not involved in this matter.
The Rector of the University inspected buildings in the old town of Nicosia for the purpose of housing the services of a research unit of Medieval Arts and Rituals. He explains that the historical center was considered ideal, since the unit also has to do with medieval arts that refer to old Nicosia.
The buildings inspected belong to the municipality but, as he explains, unfortunately their area is small to meet the needs, since the staff numbers ten people but with the prospect of increasing either the staff or the people who will be served or will cooperate with the unit, which probably does not fit in the three mansions located in the Popular Neighborhood.
We suggest to the Rector that in old Nicosia there are about 300 Turkish Cypriot buildings, some of which could be used after renovation. This concerns the Interior Ministry but I understand that some could be shaped as student dormitories, which on the one hand would save the buildings from possible collapse while at the same time it would serve the needs of student housing, without affecting the rights of the owners, Mr Christofides said. As you know, hearths will be created by the Archdiocese, the municipality or even individuals, he adds.
Construction of the Campus
Based on the General Spatial Plan, the full development is planned to be completed in three main phases of construction:
- The first period of construction of the University Campus was completed in 2010 and includes the following projects:
1. Infrastructure Projects - Phase 1 2. Functional Support Buildings 3. Faculty of Sciences & Extension 4. Faculty of Economics and Management 5. Teaching Areas I and II 6. Council Building - Senate Anastasios G. Leventis 7. Centre for Social Activities 8. Student Residence 1A 9. Sports Facilities - Phase 1
> The second phase of development is completed in 2026 and includes the following projects: 1. Completed buildings 1. Information Center – Stelios Ioannou Library
Under Construction -1. Seismic Upgrading/Renovation of the Building Facilities in Kallipoleos (former Pedagogical Academy) 2. Faculty of Engineering 3. Department of Biological Sciences and Teaching Areas III 4. Faculty of Medicine 5. Cyprus Cancer Research Centre
Programmable -1. Photovoltaic Park 10MW (in two phases) 2. Infrastructure Projects - Phase B which include: the Extension of the Road Network, the University Park and the Energy Center B'
Student Dormitories - Phase B
> The third phase of development includes the following projects: 1. Building Facilities of Theoretical Schools that will include: School of Humanities, School of Social Sciences and Education Sciences, Faculty of Philosophy, School of Postgraduate Studies, Department/School of Law. 2. Buildings of Teaching Areas IV 3. Institute for Research and Innovation 4. Student Dormitories - Phase C 5. Student Dormitories - Phase D 6. Cultural Centre 7. Sports Facilities - Phase 2 8. Multi-storey Parking
