The signing of the contract for the award of the tender concerning the construction of the new building of the School of Engineering and Technology, as well as the ERATOSTHENES Centre of Excellence of the Cyprus University of Technology (CUT), in the Vereggaria area of Kato Polemidia, marked the official launch of the project, stated to “Entrepreneurial Limassol” the CEO of the Centre of Excellence, Professor Mr. Diophantos Hadjimitsis.

He added that although “the bulldozer” has not yet entered the site, preparations for the laying of the foundation stone are in the final stage. “For the ERATOSTHENES Centre of Excellence, this is a particularly important moment, since after many years of growth we are finally acquiring facilities that meet our needs,” the Professor noted. Mr. Hadjimitsis estimated that the project’s timeline is ambitious but realistic. He pointed out that completion within 18 months, with modern laboratories, collaboration spaces and special infrastructures for equipment, requires absolute consistency and proper coordination, while underlining that the contractor and the architect are working closely with CUT and the Property Management Service to ensure smooth implementation. 

Regarding the importance of the new building for the Centre of Excellence, the CEO described it as “the greatest step in its course.” “The ERATOSTHENES Centre of Excellence began in 2007 in a space of just 20 sq.m. and today numbers more than 120 researchers, staff and collaborators. The new building will give us, for the first time, the opportunity to house all our activities under one roof,” he stressed.

The new facilities will bring together infrastructures and equipment that are currently dispersed across four different buildings and will include:

· modern laboratories for remote sensing, geoinformatics, artificial intelligence, and climate change,

· collaboration spaces for researchers and international partners,

· reception areas for the public and stakeholders for events, workshops, and visits,

· specially designed infrastructures for state-of-the-art equipment.

“In short, it will house Excellence and allow us to further raise the level of our research,” he added. Referring to the impact for CUT and Limassol, especially in the Vereggaria area where new university facilities are constantly developing, Mr. Hadjimitsis noted that the construction of the building will decisively contribute to the formation of a university campus. “In combination with the student residences already under construction, a complete university hub is being created in Limassol,” he said.

“The new building will bring students, researchers, and collaborators from Cyprus and abroad, strengthening the city’s international profile and contributing to the local community and economy. It will generate life and make Limassol an even stronger academic and research hub,” he emphasized. On the project’s contribution to the further development of the Centre of Excellence and the strengthening of Cyprus’ role in the field of space technology and geoinformatics, Mr. Hadjimitsis recalled that since its establishment the Centre has played a decisive role in positioning the country as a regional hub in Space Technology and Earth Observation. “With projects such as the Satellite Data Receiving Station in Pera Oreinis, the Cyprus Earth Observation Data Cube, CARO – the National Atmospheric Station, and Space BIC Cyprus, Cyprus has become visible on the European and international map,” he said. He added that the new building will allow for further expansion of activities, attraction of more researchers, strengthening of international collaborations, and a more substantial contribution of the Centre to the European goals of green and digital transition.

“The new building is not just an infrastructure. It is the foundation for showcasing Cyprus as an international reference point in Earth Observation and Space Technology,” he concluded. The new building of the School of Engineering and Technology, as well as the ERATOSTHENES Centre of Excellence, is the second major development project of CUT in the area, following the construction of student residences already underway. The implementation period is 18 months, with a budget exceeding 12 million euros, an amount secured through a loan agreement with the European Investment Bank.