CYPRUS-AUSTRIA JOINT COMMITTEE MEETING 6-7 October 1011

CYPRUS-AUSTRIA JOINT COMMITTEE MEETING

6-7 October 1011

“Collaboration between Austrian and Cypriot Organizations ”

Dr Despina Martidou-ForcierActing Director of Higher and Tertiary Education

MINISTRY OF EDUCATION AND CULTURE CYPRUS

MINISTRY OF EDUCATION AND CULTURECYPRUS

Higher Education in Cyprus• HE system in Cyprus is shaped by the EHEA

as outlined by the Bologna Process• Aim of Cyprus is to become a regional

educational and research centre• Strong background for a significant growth of

the higher education sector• HE in Cyprus consists of the universities and

public and private institutions of tertiary education.

Public Universities• Public universities are overseen and financed by

the state

• They all operate under their own Laws and Regulations, which cover their establishment and operation

• They are autonomous and self-governed• University of Cyprus started operation in 1992• Open University of Cyprus (2006)• Cyprus University of Technology (2007)

Private UniversitiesFrederick UniversityEuropean University - Cyprus (E.U.C.)University of NicosiaUniversity of NeapolisThe private universities offer 4-year

undergraduate courses that lead to the award of Bachelors qualifications (i.e. BA, BSc) and 1-year to 2-year postgraduate programmes of study that lead to the award of Masters qualifications. They also offer PhD programmes

Public Institutions of HE• They operate under the jurisdiction of the

respective Ministries of the Republic and provide professional courses 1-3 years

• They are the following:– Higher Hotel Institute – Cyprus Forestry College – Mediterranean Institute of Management – Police Academy

Private Institutions of HE• They offer a wide variety of programmes of

study in professional and academic levels such as Business Studies, Engineering, Social Sciences, Languages, Education, Hotel and Tourism, Administration, Management, Graphic Design, Computer Science and others.

• They offer 1 to 4 years programmes of study in various fields together with a number of courses at Masters level.

• At present, there are thirty four private Institutions of HE

Quality AssuranceThe Cyprus Educational Evaluation and

Accreditation Board (SEKAP)The competent authority responsible for the

educational evaluation-accreditation of programmes of studies offered by PITE is the Council of Educational Evaluation – Accreditation - SEKAP

Established in 1996 Independent body and member of:

ENQA , INQAAHE, EUA, EURASHEThe first programmes of study have been

accredited by the SEKAP in January 2000 • The accreditation is granted for a period of

four years

Quality Assurance Evaluation Committee of Private Universities

Established in 2005 for the evaluation of the applications for the establishment of Private Universities

Independent body Consists of seven prominent university

professors from different countries Appoints specialized Committees to evaluate

the various aspects of the applications Follow up and final evaluation within 4 years

Quality Assurance The Cyprus Council for the Recognition

of HE Qualifications (KYSATS).• Is the NARIC of the country• It gives recognition for the corresponding

degrees of:– Higher Diploma– Bachellors degree – Masters Degree– PhD Degree

• The reference diplomas are those of the public institutions

National Quality Assurance and Accreditation Agency

Complying with the Bologna Process, a National Quality Assurance and Accreditation Agency is in the process of being established

It will carry educational evaluation for both State and Private Institutions of Tertiary Education

Challenges• Expand the HE capacity to satisfy the demand for

university studies • Increase research activities and more importantly

involve the private sector and other authorities• Compete internationally by establishing centers of

excellence• Improve the attractiveness of HE by improving

quality of education and quality of international students

• Unify and Reform the legal system aiming at enhancing QA, autonomy and accountability

Memorandum of UnderstandingContributes to expanding and intensifying

cooperation between our countries, enhancing close and friendly relations between Cyprus and Austria and promoting and encouraging cooperation in the fields of HE and research.

Memorandum of UnderstandingMore specifically, the dynamics of the

meetings of the Joint Committee helps in organizing and strengthening universities and research centers’ efforts to find ways for further collaboration and networking.

The meeting brings together academics, researchers and administrative staff from the two countries and at the same time develops the chance to learn from each other and tackle challenges for further development of research in the European Union.

ObjectivesTo assess the activities that have been

developed between the Higher Education Institutions and Research Centers of the two countries over the last two years.

To submit and discuss specific recommendations for strengthening cooperation between Higher Education Institutions and Research Centers of the two countries regarding research and innovation.

Objectives3. To discuss the European Union’s policy on

Higher Education and possible joint actions.4.To present good practices and suggestions

that will contribute to the organization of Cyprus European Union Presidency on matters related to Higher Education and Research.

CollaborationIn the current EU context the two countries have the

chance to cooperate through the European Unions’ Programs (e.g. FP7, Horizon 2020 and LLP) and tackle difficult and important challenges of higher education.

It is worth to say that joint research ensures more effective use of individual talents as modern research is increasingly complex and demands an ever widening range of skills and may be a source of stimulation and creativity.

Finally, supporting researchers and innovators (joint actions) in Europe lead to the production of good ideas which can reach the market and generate sustainable economic growth and new jobs.

Collaborations

In a small survey with the Cyprus Universities, and Research Centers it has been found that academics and researchers of Cyprus develop routes for communication, collaboration and research with their colleagues from Austrian institutions.

FundingThese actions are mainly funded by EU Programmes Cyprus Research Promotion Foundation

andLeventis Foundation (Cyprus).

Areas of Collaborationenvironment, education, sport science, sociology, information technology, history and archeology, culture and languages, nanotechnology and nuclear physics

InstitutionsAccording to the data that has been sent to

the Ministry of Education and Culture, the Cyprus Universities cooperate with University of Vienna, Austrian Academy of Sciences, Austrian Research Promotion Agency, Graz University, University of Innsbruck, Vienna University of Technology,University of Salzburg, Institute of High Energy Physics, University of Leoben and Pedagogical Academy of Bundes

Thank you for your attention