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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.

Abu Dhabi Unveils Dh13-Billion Plan To Lead as the World’s First Fully AI-native Government by 2027

by THEFUTURE.TEAM

January 21, 2025

Abu Dhabi is setting ambitious goals for the future, announcing a Dh13-billion strategy that aims to make its government operations entirely powered by artificial intelligence (AI) by 2027. With this move, the emirate aspires to become the world’s first fully “AI-native” government, with automated processes and complete adoption of cloud computing technologies.

The Abu Dhabi Government Digital Strategy 2025-2027, led by the Department of Government Enablement – Abu Dhabi (DGE), is a transformative initiative to enhance public service delivery, optimize government functions, and drive sustainable economic growth. Along with technological advances, the strategy will create over 5,000 jobs, boosting the local economy and contributing more than Dh24 billion to Abu Dhabi’s GDP.

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The core objective of this initiative is to embed AI, cloud technologies, and data-driven insights into the very DNA of the government. “By incorporating these cutting-edge technologies, we will optimize our operations, improve public services, and ultimately support sustainable economic growth,” said Ahmed Hisham Al Kuttab, Chairman of DGE.

Key aspects of the strategy include the establishment of a unified digital enterprise resource planning (ERP) platform, which will improve government efficiency and streamline processes. As part of the “AI for All” program, the initiative will also focus on empowering citizens by training them in AI applications, ensuring a highly skilled workforce ready to meet the demands of a rapidly evolving technological landscape.

Moreover, the government is committed to implementing over 200 AI-driven solutions across various public services, ensuring that these innovations reach all facets of governmental operations. Alongside the technological advancements, comprehensive cybersecurity measures will be introduced, with new digital guidelines aimed at maintaining the highest standards of security.

This move is not only a strategic shift towards a fully digital government but also a bold step towards positioning Abu Dhabi as a global leader in the adoption of artificial intelligence and advanced technologies in the public sector.