Mayor, rector spend ‘positive’ night in uni dorm
Paphos mayor Phedonas Phedonos on Tuesday said the previous night he had spent in a new university hall of residence in the town had gone positively.
“The night went very smoothly, everything was comfortable and worked to perfection. I’m glad I got to test it in person,” the mayor said, adding that “everything is ready at 99 per cent, both as far as the building and the surrounding areas are concerned.
“The rooms are very well equipped, each has all the possible comforts for students, including a TV, a modern cooking hub, a desk for inside and a smaller one on the balcony, with two chairs.”
Accompanied by Tepak rector Panayiotis Zaphiris, the mayor had spent the night in the dorms to assess the facilities before they welcomed their first students.
“This hands-on approach allows us to evaluate the facilities and ensure the quality and functionality of the infrastructure,” Phedonos said.
The first residents, 140 Tepak students, 15 from the American University of Beirut and three from Neapolis, will receive their room keys on Wednesday.
Medical students from universities in Nicosia, currently doing internships at Paphos Hospital, have also requested accommodation.
“We placed particular importance on the dorm’s surroundings, with particular emphasis on green areas and trees,” Phedonos said. “We aimed at giving students the best possible facilities.”
Joined by other officials and by Tepak’s board chairman Costas Galatariotis, the mayor and the rector also shared a meal in the dorm’s kitchen.
The €16 million facility, which consists of 203 rooms, was completed by Paphos Municipality in 11 months, and will provide housing for students at all universities in the city.
Phedonas said future plans for the project include the construction of basketball and tennis courts, in addition to increased parking.
“We hope this will be just the first of many similar projects in Paphos,” the mayor said.
Zaphiris commended the municipality for its efforts, pointing to the growth of Tepak’s Paphos campus from 150 students last year to 600 students this academic year.