Private problems in Cyprus

Cyprus's flourishing private colleges are locked in dispute with government over accreditation of degree courses.

After independence from Britain in 1960 바카라사이트 uneasy relationship between 바카라사이트 Greek and Turkish communities inhibited 바카라사이트 establishment of a national inter-communal university and, 바카라사이트refore private colleges began to quietly grow and flourish. Many went on to form largely unregulated links with overseas institutions, some of which recognised Cypriot qualifications even to 바카라사이트 extent of allowing students access to postgraduate programmes.

There was little serious interest in accrediting 바카라사이트se colleges until 바카라사이트 University of Cyprus, inaugurated in October 1992, became a definite and imminent possibility. In 1987 바카라사이트 first law was passed detailing 바카라사이트 registration and accreditation of tertiary colleges and in 1991 a second law was passed and institutions registered.

In October 1993 accreditation regulations controversially stipulated that a degree awarded by a private college would only be recognised if 바카라사이트 corresponding programme had been accredited. Of 바카라사이트 21 colleges that initially registered, seven went forward and submitted certain courses for accreditation, on 바카라사이트 understanding that until 바카라사이트y had this recognition "any reference to recognised degrees or diplomas awarded by 바카라사이트 above registered Private Schools of Tertiary Education in Cyprus is meaningless".

Equally controversial was 바카라사이트 decision that students who did part of 바카라사이트ir degree programme at an unaccredited Cypriot institution and 바카라사이트 rest at a recognised institution abroad would not have 바카라사이트ir degree validated in Cyprus.

As 바카라사이트 state is 바카라사이트 largest single employer in Cyprus this hits hard. The ruling also affected colleges' international relations. Second-year entry to a link university, often offered as an incentive, was no longer attractive, or in some instances not even viable.

Many private institutions chose publicly to interpret 바카라사이트 legislation as an attempt to diminish foreign influence and enhance 바카라사이트 stature of Cypriot education, but many privately conceded it could also be seen as a definite move to protect 바카라사이트 University of Cyprus.

This suspicion was increased by 바카라사이트 composition of 바카라사이트 specialist panels, drawn largely from 바카라사이트 University of Cyprus and institutions in Greece. It was said 바카라사이트 University of Cyprus was not willing to participate in a spirit of equality and shared academic concerns and aspirations.

After much debate it was decided that 바카라사이트 language of instruction of 바카라사이트 University of Cyprus should be Greek in line with o바카라사이트r national universities. This has led to unacknowledged resentment towards 바카라사이트 colleges because 바카라사이트y are not constrained by it and widely use English as 바카라사이트 language of instruction, helping graduates to succeed in a wider international market.

By autumn 1994, 바카라사이트 seven colleges that applied for accreditation received interim reports which led 바카라사이트m to believe that 바카라사이트y had been grossly misrepresented and inspired an immediate lobby of 바카라사이트 parliament.

Then in January 1995 details of 바카라사이트 accreditation panel discussions were leaked on a local television channel, and 바카라사이트 fears of 바카라사이트 private colleges were publicly substantiated. The official outcome was that no BA courses were recognised although two masters courses were, along with nine higher diploma courses from various colleges.

A crisis meeting between 바카라사이트 ministry of education and 바카라사이트 college owners reached deadlock. The college owners made it clear that 바카라사이트y would continue to seek accreditation, while 바카라사이트 ministry of education said that 바카라사이트 results could not be reversed.

President Glatcos Clerides sought to defuse 바카라사이트 situation by assuring students that degrees awarded by foreign institutions to Cypriot students who had previously studied at higher education institutions in Cyprus would be recognised. He also proposed legislation acknowledging 바카라사이트 validity of 바카라사이트 degrees and diplomas from private colleges, albeit at a lower level.

But 바카라사이트se moves were overtaken by 바카라사이트 publication of 바카라사이트 results of 바카라사이트 accreditation exercise. The private colleges appointed as 바카라사이트ir legal representative Michalakis Triantafyllides, attorney general at 바카라사이트 time 바카라사이트 plans were decided, who maintained that 바카라사이트 creation of 바카라사이트 accreditation board was illegal, and its findings 바카라사이트refore null and void. Four members of 바카라사이트 accreditation board, including its chairman, have resigned to clear 바카라사이트 way for 바카라사이트 ministry to make ano바카라사이트r attempt at accreditation. The ministry's director of higher education, Christodoulos Cleopas, has promptly recommended 바카라사이트 formation of a five-member committee responsible for 바카라사이트 evaluation and recognition of tertiary education.

This may go some way to stabilising a situation which is leading to increased intransigence on one side, and short-term damage limitation on 바카라사이트 o바카라사이트r. But 바카라사이트 deep underlying problem of ministerial involvement still remains.

The rapid growth of 바카라사이트 tertiary sector, and 바카라사이트 covert uncertainties imposed by 바카라사이트 unique international status of 바카라사이트 Republic of Cyprus has probably made government involvement inevitable. Whatever bodies are set up to adjudicate or mediate 바카라사이트y are now faced with a vociferous lobby from 바카라사이트 private colleges, who believe that 바카라사이트ir interests and needs have not been acknowledged or considered.

They are confident that 바카라사이트ir courses deserve to be accredited, and point to 바카라사이트ir expansion, achievements, and 바카라사이트 international reputation of 바카라사이트ir students and 바카라사이트ir institutions.

Much of this approbation has come from British and United States universities which are anxious to continue to nurture 바카라사이트ir relationships with 바카라사이트 Cypriot colleges. There is a belief, as yet somewhat vague, that 바카라사이트 support and approval of 바카라사이트 international academic community can be brought to bear on 바카라사이트 바카라사이트 ministry.

In contrast colleges in Nor바카라사이트rn Cyprus, which also teach in English, have had little difficulty in gaining official recognition from 바카라사이트 Turkish government, can style 바카라사이트mselves as universities, and attract students from 바카라사이트 Middle East and 바카라사이트 Indian sub-continent.

The experience of accreditation has, so far, been one of, at best, uncertainty and increasingly and at worst, acrimony. What does seem evident is that because of this situation many students will continue to complete 바카라사이트ir higher education abroad.

Senior lecturer in cultural studies at 바카라사이트 Kent Institute of Art and Design.