The House of Representatives voted on Thursday in favour of a bill submitted by the Ministry of Education about the introduction of strict provisions regarding the establishment and operation of branches of foreign universities in Cyprus.

The law makes it clear that the operation of branches of foreign universities in the Republic will be carried out under the same conditions as higher education institutions, and the whole issue is regulated through the definition of criteria, in order to ensure the quality and enhance the competitiveness of higher education.

The Ministry of Education, Sports and Youth has welcomed the development, noting that this regulates the establishment and operation of branches of foreign universities of member states or third countries within the Republic.

It is added that this legislative regulation is linked to the broader policy of the Government for the upgrading and improvement of the quality of Higher Education in Cyprus, as well as to the strategic plan for higher education.

It is noted that Ambassador of Greece Ioannis Papameletiou was present at the plenary session, since so far the Kapodistrian and Metsovian Universities of Greece have expressed interest in coming to Cyprus.