The Ministry of Education has serious reservations about the University of Cyprus’s proposal to institutionalize part-time study, as stated by Education Minister Athina Michaelidou in her response to a parliamentary question from Limassol MP Ephraim Christou.
According to Ms. Michaelidou’s response, the University of Cyprus had submitted draft regulations to the Ministry on October 7, 2024, to amend the relevant legislation, so as to provide students with the option of part-time study and an extension of the maximum duration of studies from 12 to 16 semesters.
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The University subsequently clarified, at the request of the Ministry of Education, that students will be able to apply for part-time study based on documented reasons, with their department making a reasoned decision while taking socioeconomic criteria into account. This option could apply to up to 10% of the active students in each department, though it would not apply to the undergraduate programs in Medicine and Architecture.
However, in a letter to the University dated May 19, 2025, the Ministry of Higher Education and Science expressed serious reservations about moving forward with the plan. As the Minister states, the Ministry considers that the proposal does not essentially concern the introduction of structured part-time study programs, but rather the extension of the maximum duration of study from 12 to 16 semesters.
At the same time, the Ministry of Education raises the issue of unequal treatment of students, as the extension will not be a right available to all, and different policies may be applied across departments. It also points out that the potential additional costs to the state have not been assessed, including tuition fees, operating expenses, teaching costs, and other needs that may arise.
The Ministry further expressed the view that the option to extend the program should, initially, apply only to the pursuit of a bachelor’s degree and not to a secondary degree, as this is inconsistent with the stated objective of the regulation, which is to support students so that they do not abandon their studies due to an increased workload.
Based on these reservations, the Ministry of Education and Culture called on the University of Cyprus to reconsider its proposal, with an emphasis on ensuring equal treatment of students. As Ms. Michaelidou informed the member of parliament, the University has not since submitted a revised proposal to the Ministry.
Source: CNA
