Computer whiz tops university exams list

DEMETRIS Christodoulou, a high-school graduate from Limassol who wants to study computer science, was surprised to find out on Friday that he had topped the list of students who gained a university place after succeeding in the Pancyprian exams.

Christodoulou, a graduate of the Ayia Fylaxi Lyceum in Limassol scored full marks, 20 out of 20, in the exams and secured a place at the department of Computer Science of the University of Cyprus.

Speaking to state broadcaster CyBC, he said he expected good results, but he didn’t expect to be top of the list, due to increased competition.

The top grade, he said, was a reward for his labour and the outcome of consistent study, organisation, and stress management.

He added that he was studying several hours per day, and was also attending private afternoon courses.

He chose to study computer science, he said, as it offers opportunities for innovation and it is constantly evolving.

The second and third places on the list were occupied by two more high-school graduates from Limassol; Stelios Stylianou who scored 19.9 and secured a place at the UCy Department of Mathematics and Statistics, and Despina Hadjiconstanti, whose 19.83 grade landed her a place at the university’s new medical school.

The top five were completed by two Nicosia candidates, Rafaella Christou who also got into the UCy medical school with a 19.78 score, and Styliani Loukaidou who earned a place at the university’s law school, with 19.77.

Education Minister Costas Kadis, who announced the results of the university entrance exams on Friday, congratulated the top students.

Kadis said 8,198 candidates had sought university places in Greece and Cyprus.

“With the current distribution, 2,287 seats have been allocated under the preferences of candidates, of which 1,356 go to the University of Cyprus, 741 to the Cyprus University of Technology, 94 to the Higher Hotel Institute, and 96 to military schools in Greece,” he said.

The Cyprus Mail is the only English-language daily newspaper published in Cyprus. It was established in 1945 and today, with its popular and widely-read website, the Cyprus Mail is among the most trusted news sites in Cyprus. The newspaper is not affiliated with any political parties and has always striven to maintain its independence. Over the past 70-plus years, the Cyprus Mail, with a small dedicated team, has covered momentous events in Cyprus’ modern history, chronicling the last gasps of British colonial rule, Cyprus’ truncated independence, the coup and Turkish invasion, and the decades of negotiations to stitch the divided island back together, plus a myriad of scandals, murders, and human interests stories that capture the island and its -people. Observers describe it as politically conservative.