Founding a university and constructing new facilities is the biggest project of public nature with a stronger imprint on the society, President Nikos Christodoulides said on Tuesday evening, during the inauguration of TEPAK’s new School of Tourism, Hospitality and Entrepreneurship Management in Paphos.

Christodoulides said that as President of the Republic and an individual who devoted himself to university education, this event is a source of joy, pride and satisfaction. He went on to say that the growth of education and health sectors affect horizontally all areas of governance and are linked to intellectual, economic and social progress of the society.

The President noted that the government attaches particular importance to the expansion and deepening of higher education, public and private, being a source of spiritual as well as physical development and progress.

He went on to say that having foreign students coming to Cyprus for their education is particularly significant, adding that the introduction of English as a teaching language in Cyprus universities will promote the competitiveness.

He also said that the opening of the new school in Paphos marks the beginning of a new era for both TEPAK and the whole Paphos district.

The President also praised the work carried out in the past by the previous government and the parliamentary education committee.

He said that one of the biggest challenges they have to face as a government is the migration crisis, adding that the hotel industry is in need of employees and that it has been requested from the government to grant work permission to nationals from third countries. The President described this request as a just one.

TEPAK rector, Professor Panagiotis Zafiris said that the new School buildings are one of the most modern on the island, and its opening marks the university’s  expansion to a new city and their commitment to provide high quality education and training in the fields of tourism, hospitality and entrepreneurship.

He also said that in collaboration with the Municipality of Larnaca, they are preparing a proposal for the set up of a School of Marine Sciences, Technology and Sustainable Development.

TEPAK’s board President Dr Christos Chomatas said that they are celebrating the completion of a major construction project and at the same time the beginning of another major project, that of the contribution to the society of knowledge.

Paphos Mayor Phedon Phedonos said that tonight a vision the municipality had becomes a reality. He said that besides the growth and progress of the city itself, the new School will contribute to the growth of the economy as a whole.