University of Cyprus
The University of Cyprus (https://www.ucy.ac.cy/en/) was established in 1989 and admitted its first students in 1992. It was founded in response to the growing intellectual needs of the Cypriot people, and is well placed to fulfil the numerous aspirations of the country. The University is a vigorous community of scholars engaged in the generation and diffusion of knowledge. Despite its brief history, the University of Cyprus has earned the respect of the international academic community and the appreciation of Cypriot society. Admission for the majority of undergraduate students is by entrance examinations organized by the Ministry of Education and Culture of the Republic of Cyprus, and the competition for places is intense. A number of places are reserved for students with special needs or circumstances. Every effort is made to offer practical solutions to students facing specific problems, be it access to University facilities, or assistance on academic issues. When the University of Cyprus first opened its doors to students, the incoming class consisted of 486 undergraduate students. During the academic year 2020-2021 there were 6425 students (undergraduate and postgraduate). There are 8 faculties, 22 departments and 11 research units at UCY. The University of Cyprus is currently ranked in the top 400 Universities in the world, in the top 200 in Europe and features in the 52nd position worldwide in the category of young Universities (World Universities Ranking – Times Higher Education).
Department of Architecture
The mission of the Department of Architecture (https://www.ucy.ac.cy/arch/)as an outstanding academic center of studies within the School of Engineering at the University of Cyprus, but also in the wider European region, is to educate students to become successful architects who can perform internationally, but who will also have the knowledge and sensitivity to respond to and to influence positively the formulation of the built environment in the eastern Mediterranean region.
Central to the philosophy of the department’s mission are the synergies achieved through the dynamic synthesis of design emanating both from the humanities and the technological dimensions of Architecture. Such an endeavour takes place by emphasizing the complex and fascinating aspects of the field of Architecture. It also takes place through the formulation of a design culture that considers theoretical, historical, political, and technological quests to redefine the role of architecture in the making of the built environment. Some of the challenges for architects in the academic and professional contexts have to do with claiming a new role in contemporary society, as well as making a positive and sustainable contribution to the manmade environment.
Neapolis University Paphos
Neapolis University Pafos (NUP, https://www.nup.ac.cy/) is one of the leading private Universities of Cyprus. Established in 2010, NUP, is a vibrant academic institution with emphasis in the provision of high-quality Higher Education and the creation of cutting-edge applied knowledge, focusing, in parallel, on the provision of optimal academic services to its academic community and the broader society, at a national as well as at an international level.
Under the leadership of its Chairman, Mr. George M. Leptos, the strategic goal and vision of the late founder of Neapolis University Mr. Michalakis G. Leptos, is to develop a human-centred educational organisation of international quality standards, of heightened social responsibility and of excellent academic practices. NUP aims to contribute: to social cohesion and evolution; to the progression of science via processes of interactive and innovative learning pedagogies and the development of research; and the development of high-level new scientists and professionals of contemporary fields of knowledge.
Through the new and updated Study Programmes of Neapolis University Pafos, the program curricula of NUP promote the appreciation of cutting-edge knowledge and research, and create greater potential and opportunities in the new industries. NUP Degrees offer students relevant knowledge and the appropriate skills and competencies for their smooth and successful integration in cutting-edge jobs of 4th Industrial Revolution and the 21st century.
Department of Architecture, Land, and Environmental Sciences
The basic principle that governs both the Department (https://www.nup.ac.cy/department-of-architecture-land-environmental-sciences/), as well as its Programmes, is the development of humanistic values within the framework of the wider academic field, securing all the necessary technical tools and means that graduates will require to succeed in their professional lives. The Programmes exist as distinct disciplines with the relevant degrees, which support and interact with each other on an organizational, operational and academic level.
This goal is achieved with the:
- Students’ active participation in the educational process and all the Department’s events and activities.
- Consideration of every student as an independent personality.
- Accreditation and operation of flexible and constantly developing study programmes.
- Emphasis on the research aspects of studies.
- Active participation in scientific and technological developments.