London, (News Of The South) – Many parents with children in Zimbabwe have noted with grave concern there has been a number of Zimbabwean and African children being lured to Cyprus Universities as some in Northern Cyprus are said to be on the illegal list.
News Of The South can reveal that there are agents on the ground in Zimbabwe who go as far as visiting schools and making presentations encouraging Zimbabweans to take up courses in Cyprus.
The courses are offered at reduced and attractive and cheap rates and offer scholarships of up to 50%, however the problem is some of the universities are listed as illegal.
Mys Ndlovu who spoke to News Of The South said she paid for her daughter to take up a Nursing degree at a Cyprus University (CIU) only discovered after paying the fees that the university was on the illegal list.
“I will not proceed with the application and I will not be sending my daughter to Cyprus, I do not mind the money I have paid so far.
“I am very angry that these agents give us information and fail to tell us the universities are on the illegal list she fumed”.
It is better to lose the amount that I have paid rather than send my daughter and stand to lose more she said”.
Cyprus International University is on the illegal list together with others such as East Mediterranean University (EMU) . The universities are accredited by TRNC and Turkey education authorities however Cyprus does not recognise the universities which are said to be illegal.
Kenyan students are also studying in Kenya where they hoped and dreamt of a quality education.
Internal politics in Cyprus have spilled into the international and African higher education scene fuelling confusion as parents and prospective students get attracted for top notch education in the divided country.
The illegal universities are not accredited by South (Greek) Cyprus which is recognised by the United Nations and many parents and students are worried whether they will manage to enter the international job market.
The Turkish Republic of northern Cyprus is recognised by no other country in the World except Turkey and as such is diplomatically, politically and economically isolated from the World by international trade sanctions and travel embargoes.
Thousands of students from other countries especially African countries are taking up studies in Cyprus thus making education the leading sector of its economy.
Statistics from 2014 showed that a total of 63 000 students were enrolled in universities in Northern Cyprus of whom 13 000 about 20 percent being Turkish. An additional 35 000 from Turkey, 15 000 international students mainly from Africa, the middle East and Central Asia.
The universities exist in a political limbo, which remains unresolved since the outbreak of inter – communal violence between Greek and Turkish Cypriots following the country`s attainment of independence in 1960.
Students who moved to other countries after graduation are said to have encountered few problems in the transition.
Some students who study in Northern Cyprus are said to use the education they get from there as a stepping stone to enter into institutions in the Western world.
Northern Cyprus is not permitted to have direct flights from the rest of the world and also not allowed to have direct shipping.
Comments
About Author
