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Cyprus Sets Cap On Third-Country Students In Private Higher Education Institutions

by THEFUTURE.TEAM

July 25, 2024

In a significant policy shift, the Cypriot government has implemented a cap on the number of students from non-EU countries enrolled in private higher education institutions. This new regulation, ratified by the Cabinet, aims to strike a balance between attracting international talent and maintaining educational standards while ensuring adherence to national immigration policies. Effective from the academic year 2024-2025, the cap targets private institutions with high international-student ratios, reflecting Cyprus’ commitment to sustainable growth and quality education.

Rationale Behind the Cap

The decision to introduce this cap is multifaceted. Primarily, it aims to regulate the burgeoning number of international students to ensure that educational quality is not compromised. With a surge in third-country nationals seeking education in Cyprus, there has been growing concern about the capacity of private institutions to maintain high academic standards while accommodating an increasing number of students.

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Furthermore, this policy addresses immigration control, ensuring that the influx of students aligns with the country’s broader immigration and demographic strategies. By managing the number of international students, the government aims to streamline the integration process and avoid potential socio-economic imbalances.

Implementation and Impact

The cap will be enforced starting from the 2024-2025 academic year, giving institutions time to adjust their admission processes and align with the new regulations. The Ministry of Education, Sports, and Youth, in collaboration with the Ministry of Interior, will oversee the implementation, ensuring compliance and providing support to institutions during the transition period.

Institutions with a high proportion of third-country students will need to reassess their recruitment strategies and may need to diversify their student base. This shift could lead to enhanced collaboration with EU countries and increased efforts to attract students from within the European Union.

Broader Implications for the Education Sector

This policy is expected to have several implications for the Cypriot education sector. For one, it may prompt private institutions to invest more in facilities, faculty, and resources to attract a diverse student body and maintain competitive standards. Additionally, the cap could encourage a more balanced distribution of international students across various institutions, promoting healthy competition and innovation in the education sector.

Moreover, the cap is part of Cyprus’s broader strategy to enhance the quality of higher education, making it a more attractive destination for high-calibre students globally. By ensuring that private institutions can offer top-notch education without being overwhelmed by numbers, Cyprus aims to solidify its reputation as a hub for quality higher education.

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Apple’s Services Engine Hits 1.5 Billion Subscribers, But Revenue Growth Faces New Pressure

Apple’s services business surpassed 1.5 billion paid subscriptions during the June quarter, up from 1 billion in January 2025, as the company continued to expand its ecosystem despite revenue coming in below Wall Street expectations.

Services revenue reached $30.74 billion, missing analysts’ estimate of $31.22 billion. The shortfall, together with weaker-than-expected performance in China, sent Apple shares down more than 4% in after-hours trading.

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App Store Growth Slows

Chief Financial Officer Kevan Parekh said several factors weighed on services revenue, including slower mobile gaming activity and changes to the App Store business model in some markets.

In the United States, court-ordered changes now allow developers to process payments outside the App Store, reducing Apple’s ability to collect commissions on some transactions. The legal dispute remains ongoing and is expected to reach the U.S. Supreme Court.

Parekh did not quantify the financial impact of those changes.

Foreign Exchange Also Weighed On Results

According to Apple, foreign exchange was the largest factor behind the services revenue miss. Results were also affected by a difficult comparison with the prior year, when the theatrical release of F1 boosted performance.

Despite the weaker-than-expected revenue, the App Store recorded a June quarter revenue record. That figure includes Apple Ads, which recently expanded to Apple Maps.

Paid Subscriptions Continue To Grow

Apple said services revenue reached an all-time high across developed markets and a June quarter record in emerging markets. Double-digit growth was recorded in the vast majority of markets where the company operates.

“Our services continue to attract more customers, and we have now surpassed one and a half billion in paid subscriptions,” Parekh said. “Both transacting and paid accounts reached new all-time highs in the quarter, with double-digit growth for both in emerging markets.”

Multiple Services Posted Record Results

Apple said Apple Ads, the App Store, AppleCare, Apple Music and Apple TV each recorded June quarter revenue records. Cloud services and payment services reached all-time highs, while Apple TV reported record viewership during the quarter.

Apple Expands Services Offering

The company also highlighted newer products, including Creator Studio subscriptions and planned bill-splitting features for Apple Cash, as part of its expanding services portfolio.

Apple’s Upgrade program, launched with Klarna, is designed to simplify device purchases and could encourage more customers to adopt Apple products and services.