The number of students admitted to Greek-language programmes at the University of Cyprus will not be reduced with the introduction of foreign-language degrees, rector Tasos Christofides has said.

Speaking on Politis radio, Christofides explained that the goal is to attract more international students and faculty.

“Pancyprian entry exams will be the only way for a Cypriot student to enter state universities free of charge,” he clarified, adding that foreign-language degrees would come with tuition fees.

Chairman of the secondary school parents’ association Loizos Constantinou said the parents would be meeting on Friday to decide on how to react if the House passed the bill for foreign programmes in state universities.

The meeting will take place at 6.45pm in Choirokoitia, and decisions will be made public afterward.

Late last year, educational institutions and MPs debated the issue, with the University of Cyprus and Tepak clarifying that the introduction of programmes in foreign languages at Cyprus’ public universities would not undermine public schools.

However, teachers’ unions Oelmek and Oltek, the secondary school parents’ association, the high school pupils’ association Psem and the University of Cyprus students’ association Fepan argued that such programmes would create “unequal treatment” for university applicants.

MPs from Disy, Diko, Edek, and Dipa supported the introduction of foreign-language programmes, while Akel expressed concerns about their implementation.