It’s time for joined-up thinking in Cyprus’ tertiary education sector
Education correspondent
UK Universities face a financial crisis after figures revealed that the predicted rise in overseas students – and their fees – had not materialised. Vice-chancellors of many universities may be forced to cut staff after provisional statistics from the university admissions service, UCAS (Universities and Colleges Admission Service), highlighted a slowdown in the number of non-EU students going to the UK. The Guardian newspaper revealed recently that universities had budgeted for a 44 per cent increase in fee revenue in the next three years, but UCAS said the number of undergraduates from outside the EU had risen by only 0.9 per cent in the past year. The major downturn was for Chinese students whose numbers were 2,000 lower than last year, although this number was almost made up by the growth in students from Nigeria. Overall, student numbers were nearly five per cent up but much of that figure came from Europe were there was a 63 per cent growth in total numbers from the new member states to nearly 4,000 students. Big gains came from Poland, Latvia, Estonia, and Lithuania but still ahead in number is Cyprus.
In fact, Cypriot students went in unprecedented numbers to the UK this year. Our numbers were 30 per cent higher compared to last year, with 1,724 students taking up places. This number put us just ahead of Greece. We had a slightly higher increase in the number of men going than women – however the real issue is not the details of the students but the actual numbers. With numbers like these, we are evidently a major source of income for UK universities but do we get a fair deal which reflects this contribution? I think not.
On the surface there are plenty of UK universities that visit Cyprus and are happy to work with students throughout the island. But what do they actually offer? What consultation process goes on between the schools, the government and the UK universities? Who is consulted about what and whose views are heard? Is there a forum to discuss such an exodus to the UK (and Greece for that matter), and how this will affect the new universities in Cyprus as they attempt to offer higher quality education to Cypriots so they may stay with their families and contribute to the economic development here, not in the UK or Greece? As far as I know, there is no such forum and the government will be supporting students financially, with potentially millions of pounds a year going into UK coffers. This is, of course, a two way street – one where we give and universities in the UK (and elsewhere) seem to take.
For instance, do you know what PQA stands for? It sounds like one of those mysterious three-letter endings that software files are given, such as .pdf or .ppt. However, PQA stands for Post-Qualification Applications – shorthand for a system whereby students apply for university once they have already received their results. As is so often the case with a new policy in higher education, it is generating more heat than light. Britain’s Department for Education and Skills has decided that a PQA system for admission to university would be ‘fairer’. In debate, enthusiasts quickly suggested that PQA would help more ‘working-class’ applicants to get into the so-called top universities.
PQA, however desirable, is likely not to work unless radical changes can be made to the dates results are available or the time when students start their course. The present system is not perfect, but neither is it that imperfect. Retaining the status quo remains an option, but a PQA system might well be introduced. So what of the international consultation on these changes? Would it be better for international students? Certainly it might give our students a stronger position in arguing for bursaries, grants and sponsorship. But have we made direct representation to the UK government education department? I doubt it.
While we are letting students go to the UK we are at risk of not supporting the new universities in Cyprus, which could be an engine for economic growth. Although the new law is to be welcomed, it is clear that is not flexible enough to allow for a diverse sector. It is another half-hearted attempt to satisfy politically-motivated ideologists, a few of whom are having a negative impact on the development of the youth of the island and its economic well-being. The arrogance and duplicity of some commentaries recently printed (though not in this newspaper) beggars’ belief. Cyprus has a wealth of highly educated people, it has a research promotion agency that is willing to help to bring Cypriots home to share their expertise, yet still we create an environment where our children see other nations as better equipped to educate them.
Let’s use what we have in Cyprus to make us world leaders in education in the many diverse forms it can take. Let’s build a new university ethos in the island of which we can be proud – a university ethos that is multicultural and tolerant, that is high quality and that is appealing to our own children as well as those of other nations.
To do this, however, we need to let the petty things go and deal with the bigger picture. We need joined-up thinking and we need action. Old ideologies that can stand the scrutiny of the present should be kept, but those that cannot withstand clear and fair interrogation should be dropped and we should move on. Education is important to the island’s future. It can be our own educational, social and economic future or it can be controlled by others. I know what I would prefer for a self-determining Cyprus, but I see little evidence of it emerging yet.
Although there has been one exciting event recently. Members of the Cypriot academic community have come together to share their ideas, their work and their expectations of the future. Such a positive forum deserves our support and it will receive it through these pages at least.
