University to accept international qualifications from this year

THE UNIVERSITY of Cyprus yesterday decided to go ahead with plans to accept international examinations for the admission of certain categories of students.

From September this year, a number of students will be admitted to the University of Cyprus on the basis of international examinations such as the international certificate (International Baccalaureate), the European certificate (European Baccalaureate), GCE examinations and other similar examination certificates which can ensure access to the European area of higher education.

Ten per cent of students will be admitted by international examinations, with the rest sitting national examinations. In real numbers, the new admission standards will apply for 102 students for the academic year 2008-2009.

The decision was taken yesterday by the Senate of the University of Cyprus.

Rector Stavros Zenios said the new admission standards applied to graduates of Cypriot private schools and not to graduates of public schools.

They also apply to repatriate Cypriots, overseas Cypriots, non Cypriot citizens who live permanently in Cyprus and children of the diplomatic corps.

According to the statement, the decision is also aimed at enhancing the relations of the University with students from the Armenian, Maronite and Latin religious groups in Cyprus.

The students who will be admitted by international examinations will have to submit certificates proving their Greek language skills.

The new measure aims at encouraging Cypriots to study in their own country, thus reducing the number of Cypriots who study abroad.

The Cyprus Mail is the only English-language daily newspaper published in Cyprus. It was established in 1945 and today, with its popular and widely-read website, the Cyprus Mail is among the most trusted news sites in Cyprus. The newspaper is not affiliated with any political parties and has always striven to maintain its independence. Over the past 70-plus years, the Cyprus Mail, with a small dedicated team, has covered momentous events in Cyprus’ modern history, chronicling the last gasps of British colonial rule, Cyprus’ truncated independence, the coup and Turkish invasion, and the decades of negotiations to stitch the divided island back together, plus a myriad of scandals, murders, and human interests stories that capture the island and its -people. Observers describe it as politically conservative.