Almost five months after Parliament gave the green light for the creation of a Department of Marine Sciences, Technology and Sustainable Development at the Cyprus University of Technology (CUT) in Larnaca, the city's Municipality has proceeded with the announcement of a tender for the construction of the new building that will host the Department.
The Department, as mentioned during the signing of a relevant agreement between the Municipality of Larnaca and the Cyprus University of Technology in early April, is expected to enroll approximately 500 students and is expected to operate in the Autumn of 2028.
According to what is stated in the tender notice, the cost of constructing the Department building was estimated at €11,950,000, not including VAT, and the contract that will be signed with the selected contractor will be financed through national resources.
It is worth mentioning, however, that in the event that the entire project is completed earlier than estimated (approximately 22 months from the start of construction work), a reward of up to €280,000 will be given.
It is noted that the new building of the Department of Marine Sciences, Technology and Sustainable Development will be erected on a plot in the Mackenzie area and tenders will be accepted until 2pm on 4 June.
What will it encompass?
Moreover, based on the tender documents, the overall project concerns the construction of a new building for the needs of the School of Marine Sciences, Technology and Sustainable Development in Larnaca and includes the construction of a two-story building with office space, a reception area, a conference room, restrooms, warehouses, etc.
The building's spaces will also include auditoriums, classrooms, conference/meeting rooms, staff and student offices, specialised laboratories, as well as advanced IT infrastructure and distance learning support.
The project also includes the construction of a ground-floor building with workshops, while externally, it includes the renovation and landscaping of all the outdoor spaces surrounding the building, planting areas and parking lots.
The size of the building facilities amounts to 4,960 sq.m. of closed and covered spaces.
Nikos Christodoulides: "The creation of the School is a catalyst for the revitalisation of the city"
It is recalled that during the signing of the agreement for the construction of its new building on 3 April, the President of the Republic, Nikos Christodoulides, in his speech read by the Deputy Minister of Shipping, Marina Hadjimanolis, had emphasised - among other things - that "Larnaca is entering a new development trajectory. The creation of the Department as the first Public Higher Education Institution School in the City of Zenon is expected to act as a catalyst for the economic, social and cultural revitalization of the city, attracting students, researchers and investments," he said and added that "in this way the local economy is strengthened, new jobs are created and the quality of life of citizens is upgraded."
Referring to the Department building, he indicated that "this investment is practical proof of the priority we attach to Higher Education, Research and Innovation, as key pillars for sustainable development and strengthening the competitiveness of our country."
On his part, the President of the Board of CUT, Andreas Karakatsanis, underlined that "the new Department will constitute a hub of interdisciplinary research and education, combining academic excellence with the modern needs of society and the economy."
"Our goal is to attract top scientists, create innovative study programs and act as a catalyst for new investments, innovative businesses and highly skilled jobs in the local community," he added.
In his greeting, the Mayor of Larnaca, Andreas Vyras, stated - among other things - that "the new Department will become a pillar of excellence and innovation, which will leave a direct imprint on the economy, society and sustainable development of the region."
"It will capitalise on Cyprus' geographical location and strengthen our country as a regional and international center of maritime knowledge and expertise," he concluded.
(Source: InBusinessNews)
