The University of Cyprus is preparing to welcome around 1,300 first-year students on 7 September amid continued pressure on student accommodation. Demand for university housing exceeds capacity, while plans for new halls of residence remain at the consultation stage.
Demand exceeds available accommodation
Only 100 rooms will be allocated to incoming students based on socioeconomic criteria, Kleanthis Pissarides, Head of the university’s Studies and Student Welfare Service, told CNA.
Pissarides said interest in university accommodation remains strong. However, because rooms are allocated according to socioeconomic criteria, only a limited number of applicants meet the eligibility requirements.
The university acknowledges that demand is greater than the number of rooms available.
“We are trying to help wherever we can,” Pissarides said, adding that the wider accommodation shortage is expected to ease once the university’s planned halls of residence are completed.
New halls remain at the planning stage
The university is holding consultations with the Ministry of Finance and other relevant state authorities over the construction of new student residences.
Discussions currently concern the studies that must be completed before construction can begin.
Pissarides said that, if the process moves forward promptly, construction of the first phase would take at least two years before any additional rooms become available.
Financial assistance for students
The university also provides financial assistance through the Student Welfare Association to support students facing financial difficulties.
The application process usually begins in October, with the university aiming to distribute the assistance before Christmas. Funding is also granted according to socioeconomic criteria.
Around 1,300 new students expected
The university expects to welcome approximately 1,300 incoming students when classes begin on 7 September, broadly in line with previous years.
Pissarides said the university looks forward to welcoming its new students and encouraged them to make the most of the academic and personal development opportunities available to them.
“For them, a new journey is beginning,” he said. “We encourage them to take full advantage of the opportunities they will have before them and to develop both academically and personally.”
Source: CNA.
