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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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Ryanair Will Require Checked Bags To Be Dropped Off 60 Minutes Before Departure

by THEFUTURE.TEAM

October 29, 2026

Ryanair passengers checking luggage will need to drop off their bags at least 60 minutes before departure from 10 November, giving travellers less time to use the airline’s airport bag-drop service.

Until the change, passengers can hand over checked luggage up to 40 minutes before their scheduled departure. The new deadline will apply at all airports served by Ryanair.

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More Time For Security And Passport Control

Announced in April, the policy is intended to give passengers more time to clear security and passport control, where queues can lengthen during busy travel periods. Ryanair says about 20% of its passengers check in a bag.

“This small change will give the 20% of Ryanair passengers who check in a bag more time to clear airport security and passport control queues and get to their departure gate before boarding begins,” said Dara Brady, the airline’s chief marketing officer.

Brady urged passengers using airport bag drop to arrive in good time and complete both check-in and baggage drop before the revised 60-minute cutoff.

Higher Fares And Route Cuts In Focus

The baggage deadline comes as Ryanair’s leadership warns of potential pressure on fares and capacity across Europe. Chief executive Michael O’Leary recently told Euronews that airfares could see their biggest increase in European history over the next 12 months.

O’Leary said airlines could be largely unhedged against higher jet-fuel prices from April 2027, with fare increases passed on to customers potentially reaching 20%. He also forecast that airline failures and takeovers could reduce the number of available seats.

Ryanair has also announced plans to reduce routes to Belgium, citing the country’s proposed increase in aviation tax from €2 to €7 in January 2027.

Europe’s largest airline operates bases across the continent, including its headquarters in Dublin, as well as locations in Marseille, Berlin, Athens, Milan and Barcelona.