CYPRUS: President pledges support to upgrade higher education

Cyprus President Nicos Anastasiades has assured that the government is doing everything possible to upgrade standards of higher education.

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Addressing the 25th session of the Cyprus Rectors’ Conference in Nicosia, President Anastasiades expressed appreciation over the important role of promoting university education in Cyprus.

In his speech, Anastasiades praised the results of cooperation between Cyprus universities, noting that it has positive feedback for students and the society.

He said that one of the priorities of the government is upgrading university education through an integrated policy strategy which focusses on offering quality opportunities for university education and lifelong learning in cutting-edge sectors.

The aim is to make Cyprus a regional centre of education, research and innovation.

President Anastasiades said changing the law so courses could be offered different languages (other than Greek) at state universities, would attract more foreign students for degree programmes.

Already, private universities in Cyprus offer courses in English.

Cypriot students at state and private universities benefit from grants on the basis of economic criteria, scholarships based on academic performance and targeted financial assistance.

Of the 32,000 students attending the Higher Education Institutions of Cyprus during the academic year 2012-2013, some 8,000 were either European or third country nationals, while in the academic year 2017-2018 the total number of students rose to 48,000 of which 24,000 came from the EU or third countries.

Rector of Frederick University, Professor Giorgos Demosthenous, who chaired the meeting, said that eight universities operate in Cyprus, of which three are state and five private.

“When they work together, the results are excellent. The aim is to provide quality higher education and support graduate, post-graduate and doctoral students.”