A new amended bill regarding the procedures for establishing and operating branches of foreign universities in the Republic of Cyprus was presented on Wednesday by the Minister of Education, Sports, and Youth, Athina Michaelidou, before the Parliamentary Committee on Education and Culture. Michaelidou emphasized that the aim is to ensure quality through strict criteria.

Michaelidou stated that, following a discussion during a previous session in July regarding the establishment and operation of foreign university branches in Cyprus and based on the observations, concerns, and suggestions made by MPs, a revised bill was submitted for discussion.

She added that MPs responded positively to the submission of the revised bill, with many of their questions addressed. The minister noted that the bill was prepared in full cooperation with the Agency for Quality Assurance and Accreditation in Higher Education and the Legal Service, reminding the committee that the establishment and operation of foreign university branches are already provided for in the existing 2015 legislation by the Agency.

"What we are doing is regulating the establishment of foreign university branches and ensuring quality through strict criteria," Michaelidou said, explaining that the criteria for foreign universities are the same as those applied when establishing local universities, ensuring the necessary rigor and quality assurance.

Michaelidou pointed out that the bill highlights not only the Agency's regulations but also stipulates that the parent institution must be fully recognized in its home country and have at least three faculties at the branch, each offering at least one undergraduate program. Additionally, the branches will be required to submit bank guarantees with a high percentage, similar to what is done in Greece. She also noted that these branches will be subject to periodic evaluations by the Agency for Quality Assurance, similar to the process for all higher education institutions within the Republic.

When asked whether the increase in universities in Cyprus and the potential decline of existing institutions due to fewer students is a concern, Michaelidou responded, "As long as the European framework obliges us to remain open, and our legislation has allowed it since 2015. It’s just that, for the first time, we have received expressions of interest – not official requests – from two major universities in Greece, the University of Athens and the National Technical University of Athens."

She added that the goal is to ensure that foreign branches are neither competitive with local universities in terms of evaluation criteria nor detrimental to them. "We will have strict criteria regarding the subjects the branches will focus on, their facilities, and their staff. The expansion must be done carefully, which is why we are setting safeguards for the universities that will express interest and under what terms."

When asked if there will be tuition fees for the programs offered at these branches, the Minister confirmed, "Yes, there will likely be tuition fees since these branches will operate in a foreign country. They will function in Cyprus just as our universities open branches abroad. We already have a private university that opened in Germany, and other private universities are interested in expanding to Greece."

In response to whether universities outside Greece are interested in opening branches in Cyprus, Michaelidou stated that, for now, there has been no other interest apart from the two Greek universities she mentioned.

Regarding whether the admission criteria will differ from the Pan-Cyprian Examinations, Michaelidou said, "No, they will not be admitted through the Pan-Cyprian Examinations. The criteria will be different, and any specific agreements will be communicated based on the applications we receive. To reiterate, we have not officially received any applications; there’s only been interest from the two major universities."

Addressing the potential establishment of branches from non-Greek universities, considering the lack of English-language programs in public universities, which could place them at a disadvantage, Michaelidou announced that a bill is already prepared to allow public universities to offer English-language undergraduate programs, thus avoiding this disadvantage.

When asked about the current number of private universities in Cyprus, the Minister of Education confirmed that there are 12 private and 3 public universities, as well as 45 higher education institutions. She emphasized that this is why strict criteria are essential. "If we are going to have branches of foreign universities, at least they should meet strict criteria and stringent terms, just as we do with our own universities," Michaelidou concluded.