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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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Polymarket Confirms User Funds Stolen In Third-Party Security Breach

Prediction market platform Polymarket said hackers stole funds from an unspecified number of users after compromising a third-party vendor and injecting malicious code into the company’s website.

What Polymarket Says Happened

In a post on X on Thursday, Polymarket said the incident affected “some users” and that it has since contained the breach. The company added that it is contacting affected customers and will refund them in full.

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As of Thursday afternoon, however, the full scope of the incident remained unclear. A Polymarket spokesperson confirmed that the breach resulted in the theft of user funds but declined to provide additional details.

Reports Point To Phishing And Crypto Losses

Around the same time as Polymarket’s disclosure, blockchain monitoring firm PeckShield reported on X that a phishing campaign targeting Polymarket users was underway. According to the firm, approximately $3 million in cryptocurrency was stolen.

A blockchain analyst also reported similar losses, claiming the funds had been taken from more than 11 victims. Because Polymarket allows users to deposit cryptocurrency, account security remains a key consideration for its users.

Another Setback For A Company Under Pressure

The security incident comes during a difficult week for the company. On Sunday, an investigation revealed that Polymarket had paid online creators to publish deceptive videos portraying fake betting wins as genuine. In response, the company said it would audit its promotional content.

In recent days, two users also claimed on social media that funds had been stolen from their Polymarket accounts, adding to concerns over the platform’s security and user trust.