The House of Representatives voted on Thursday to approve a bill submitted by the Ministry of Education introducing provisions for the establishment and operation of branches of foreign universities in Cyprus.

The new law ensures that foreign university branches in Cyprus will operate under the same conditions as local higher education institutions. The regulation sets clear criteria to guarantee quality and enhance the competitiveness of the higher education sector, according to the Ministry of Education, Sports, and Youth.

The Ministry welcomed this development, emphasizing that the legislation regulates the establishment and operation of branches of foreign universities from EU member states or third countries within the Republic.

According to the Ministry, this legislative framework aligns with the Government’s broader policy to upgrade and improve the quality of higher education in Cyprus and supports the strategic plan for higher education.

Greek Ambassador Ioannis Papameletiou attended the plenary session, underscoring Greece’s interest in the initiative. Notably, Greece’s Kapodistrian and Metsovian Universities have already expressed interest in establishing branches in Cyprus.