Education and Training for the Preservation of Cultural Heritage, as a Strategic Aim of the Department of Architecture, Frederick University Cyprus

Abstract

The Department of Architecture at Frederick University Cyprus offers a five-year program which leads to the professional degree of an Architect Engineer. The aim is to educate future architects, providing them with knowledge and sensitivity on the built environment of the European and Mediterranean region and to become an outstanding academic center for studies in the wider European context. There are 4 compulsory courses that directly deal with architectural history and cultural heritage and another 13 that put cultural heritage as a base for their learning outcomes. In addition, research and diploma project courses give also the option to students, to deal with the analysis of historical buildings and constructional systems, history of architecture, urban restoration projects, integration of contemporary architecture into a heritage environment and intervention proposals. Many courses bring students in direct contact with selected historical buildings and urban complexes. Two compulsory courses include investigation on site, constructional analysis and intervention proposals on selected monuments. The Department offers a Master’s Degree in “Conservation and Restoration of Historical Structures and Monuments”. The aim of the program is to instruct students, not only in the methodology concerning the protection and restoration of historical buildings, but also in the practices, which are nowadays internationally applied in restoration projects. The course accepts students with degrees in architecture, civil engineering, archaeology, history etc. Finally, the Department’s strategic goal is the dissemination of research on heritage conservation to the local society through public lectures, high school student events, cooperation with local authorities and publications.

This paper was based on information that was prepared by Frederick University Cyprus. Part of this information is available through the University’s website. Another part derives from the Course Information Packages of the relevant undergraduate and postgraduate courses. Tables were prepared by the authors and photos belong to the authors and their colleagues in the Department of Architecture. Plans and other documentation on the constructional analysis of historical buildings are part of the relevant undergraduate and postgraduate research programs.