Fees and entrance criteria for foreign language undergraduate programmes to be offered in public universities remain a thorny issue in a new updated bill presented by Education Minister Athena Michaelidou.
The bill was discussed on Wednesday at the House education committee, where MPs expressed their concern that imposing fees would pave the way for fees in Greek language programmes.
They also said issues contravening the Constitution would also arise, as students in Greek and foreign language programmes would not be treated equally.
In an effort to ease concerns, Michaelidou said the bill included a provision that for the first time stipulates the obligation of the state to cover the fees of Greek language undergraduate programmes in public universities, so that they remain free.
She also spoke of stricter entrance criteria, which were open to discussion.
Presenting the updated bill, Michaelidou said it safeguarded state control and that foreign language undergraduate programmes contributed to the government’s aim for the internationalisation of higher education and to the modernisation of public universities.
Referring to the benefits, she said they would attract foreign students, academics and researchers, would open opportunities for funding and would meet the demand of Cypriot students wishing to study in a foreign language at home.
The foreign language undergraduate programmes would not cost the state, as they would pay for themselves through competitive fees, which would be decided by the cabinet.
Representing the Cyprus agency of quality assurance and accreditation in higher education (CYQAA) and the authority for the recognition of higher education qualifications (KYSATS), Costas Christou said that if this right is not given to public universities, under academic terms, then they would lose any chance of competiveness.
He added that universities in Europe offered programmes in English and if the Cypriot universities did not follow suit, then they would not be able to survive in the future.
University of Cyprus representative Tatiana Synodinou said the bill should be promoted immediately, as it was a matter of existence for the institution.
She presented the options, first a university that is open, modern, internationalised and strong and second one that was shackled and inflexible.
University of Technology (Tepak) representative Antonis Vrasida said Cyprus could not become an international educational hub without foreign language programmes.
Representing Nicosia University, Nikos Kartakoullis agreed with the bill and said an independent agency could monitor the true cost of the programmes.
President of the Pancyprian Federation of Student Unions (Pofen) Savvas Kleanthous said his organisation was all for the introduction of foreign language programmes, adding that it was important to maintain access to public free education.
House education committee president, Diko MP Pavlos Mylonas, said the aim was to lead the bill to the plenary along with the bill for foreign university branches in Cyprus.
Mylonas said this was projected for November 10.
MPs from Disy, Diko, Edek and Dipa agreed on the necessity for foreign language programmes.
On the other hand, Akel expressed concerns about how foreign language programmes would work.
