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The Cypriot government has approved the reopening of the Forestry College in January 2025 and the reintroduction of the "Advanced Diploma in Forestry" program, Agriculture Minister Dr. Maria Panayiotou announced. The first students are expected to enroll in September 2025.
Speaking after a Cabinet meeting, Panayiotou noted that the college's suspension in 2015, due to the financial crisis, contributed to understaffing and operational issues within the Department of Forests.
"Prioritizing forest protection and operational readiness of the Department of Forests," Panayiotou stated, "the Cabinet has approved the reopening of the Forestry College and the 'Advanced Diploma in Forestry' program, with the first intake of students set for September 2025."
The program, leading to a three-year advanced diploma in forestry, has been accredited by the Cyprus Agency of Quality Assurance and Accreditation in Higher Education (CYQAA) as of June 17, 2024.
Panayiotou also mentioned that the Cabinet approved the expansion of the college's existing training program to include new courses aimed at NGOs, communities, and the general public on environmental and nature-related topics, starting January 2025.
The reintroduction of the program aims to bolster staffing in the Department of Forests, particularly in combating forest fires, while the expanded training program will provide educational opportunities for NGO representatives, community members, government officials, current Department of Forests personnel, and others.
