A protocol has been signed between Arkın University of Creative Arts and Design (ARUCAD) and the Furniture Manufacturers Association (MSD) to open an Associate Degree Programme in Interior Design within the university.
The protocol was signed at the university’s Kyrenia campus by ARUCAD Rector, Prof. Dr. Asım Vehbi and MSD chairman Hüseyin Ciddi. The protocol signed with the aim of resolving the deficit in semi-skilled staff at both ARUCAD and Cyprus in general, includes items such as the opening of the Interior Design associate degree programme within the university, and the execution of the programme in cooperation and solution partnership with MSD in academic and applied processes.
In cooperation with MSD, which aims to increase employment in the furniture sector in Cyprus, the students of the associate degree programme and all undergraduate programmes affiliated to the Faculty of Design will be able to carry out their internships in the curriculum in MSD member organisations. In addition, it is projected to provide education scholarships within the scope of the determined criteria and quotas to students who meet the requirements for registration to the Interior Design associate degree department, while also giving job guarantees to the graduates of the department at workplaces affiliated to MSD.
Stating that all parties had contributed greatly in the protocol prepared to meet the need for intermediate staff in Cyprus, Furniture Industrialists Association President Ciddi thanked ARUCAD for its support to the sector.
Stating that he was extremely happy to host the Furniture Manufacturers Association at ARUCAD, Rector Prof. Dr. Asım Vehbi said, “We are proud to be the first university in Cyprus to open a programme with industry-university cooperation. The founding vision of ARUCAD is focused on raising individuals who produce for various industries. Adding associate degree programmes to our university in addition to the 4-year undergraduate, graduate and doctoral education we provide is an indication of ARUCAD’s support for training intermediate staff for the production sector in Cyprus.”
The programme, which has been pre-approved by the TRNC Ministry of National Education, is planned to be opened in the next Fall Semester.