The provision for a parallel Greek-language programme threatens to “neutralise” the efforts to internationalise public universities, warns the Rector of the University of Cyprus
With a clear warning to Parliament, the Rector of the University of Cyprus, Tasos Christofides, publicly intervened regarding the possibility of including a provision in the proposed legislation on foreign-language undergraduate programmes. This provision would require that every foreign-language programme be accompanied by a simultaneous Greek-language version.
“In such a case, public universities will merely observe the branches of foreign universities offering foreign-language programmes in our country, while they themselves will be unable to do the same—unable even to meet their obligations as members of European university alliances,” he wrote pointedly in a Facebook post.
The Rector’s intervention comes on the occasion of today’s discussion in the House Education Committee, where the bill enters article-by-article examination. At the same time, amendments are being drafted by DIKO and DISY. One of the proposals, as previously mentioned, stipulates the compulsory simultaneous offering of a Greek-language version for every foreign-language programme.
In this context, the Rector of the University of Cyprus warned that the controversial amendment “may satisfy parents’ associations and trade unions, but will render useless the ability to offer foreign-language degree programmes.”
It is worth noting that the Education Committee is also discussing other amendments, such as lifting the 20% cap and removing the requirement for a minimum of 15 students—an amendment which the universities agree with.
Also read: UCY&CUT: Legislation for English-language undergrad programmes
Source: Economy Today
