The Strategic Plan for the improvement and enhancement of higher education in Cyprus was approved by the Council of Ministers on Wednesday, announced the Minister of Education, Sports, and Youth, Athina Michaelidou. She stated that higher education must become a key pillar of development and quality education for Cyprus.

In her remarks, Ms. Michaelidou explained that the Council of Ministers approved the Strategic Plan following a proposal from the Ministry of Education, Sports, and Youth. “This plan falls within the framework of actions promoted based on the government program for the qualitative enhancement of higher education,” she noted.

She highlighted that the strategic plan was drafted and subjected to targeted consultation and then to public consultation via an online platform before being finalized. Its key parameters were also presented to the Parliamentary Committee on Education and Culture.

"The purpose of the Strategic Plan for the improvement and enhancement of higher education is to establish a quality and modern higher education system in Cyprus. This system aims to develop literate citizens with well-rounded personalities capable of contributing creatively to societal development, improving the quality of life, and addressing future challenges. At the same time, it seeks to establish Cyprus as a regional academic and research hub, taking into account the real needs of the labor market," said the Minister.

The Strategic Plan, she added, is supported by the design and implementation of targeted strategic objectives. These objectives specifically focus on the development and modernization of Cyprus's higher education, its connection to the labor market, and establishing Cyprus as an international hub for higher education. These goals are organized under four pillars: quality enhancement, excellence, integration with the labor market, internationalization, and incentives for international students.

"These targeted strategic objectives and the core pillars of the Strategic Plan create a comprehensive, scientifically substantiated policy framework that will make the plan sustainable and effective," Ms. Michaelidou stated. In this context, she continued, internationalizing higher education includes legislative proposals currently under discussion in Parliament, such as provisions allowing public universities to offer undergraduate programs in foreign languages and the establishment of branches of foreign universities.

“All of the above are governed by strict quality control criteria, as required by specific procedures,” she emphasized.

In conclusion, the Minister reiterated that “higher education in our country must become a key pillar of development and quality education for Cyprus.”