Cypriot students may be denied access to their own public universities if English-language degree programmes are not introduced soon, warned Adonis Amerikanos, the representative of parents with children in English-speaking private schools.
Speaking to “Mesimeri kai Kati,” Amerikanos argued in favour of internationalising the country’s higher education by introducing English-language degree programmes at public institutions. He emphasised that doing so is essential not only for the universities themselves, but also for the students who are currently being left behind.
“We live in a highly competitive environment,” he said, “and our universities need to internationalise. It’s in Cyprus’s best interest to offer English-language degrees, like the majority of other European countries already do.”
According to Amerikanos, one in five secondary school students in Cyprus now attends a private school- a significant percentage, many of whom are enrolled in English-speaking institutions. “These students, unfortunately, are effectively excluded from public universities in their own country.”
Economic loss for Cyprus
The lack of English-language programmes also has direct financial implications, he added. Many students are forced to study abroad- mostly in European countries with a high cost of living. “That money leaves Cyprus,” Amerikanos said, “when it could be reinvested in our own economy and our universities. All we’re asking is for our students to have the option of staying here.”
Universities want the students, but not the policy
When asked whether public universities like the University of Cyprus and CUT are open to the idea, Amerikanos noted, “They very much want the top-performing students from private schools.” However, without formal programmes in English, these students simply can’t enrol.
A stalled law from 2009
He also highlighted another concern- a long-standing legal gap. A law passed in 2009 allows for students with international qualifications to enter public universities through a 3% admissions quota. While the law has been approved, the necessary regulations have never been passed.
Despite multiple conversations with education ministers, parliamentary committees, university rectors and others, “no progress has been made,” Amerikanos said.
Source: Economy Today
Also read: UCY Rector: Language rule threatens university internationalisation
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