2020 Cyprus Country Report

Education
Sector Profile
Both UCY and the University of Nicosia
(UNIC) have received great accolades in the 2020
QS World University Rankings in the Emerging
Europe and Central Asia (EECA) Region, with
UCY making it to the top 100, at 96 th place
and UNIC close behind at 106 th . The landmark
ranking success of both universities is noteworthy
in a region characterised by dynamic growth
in higher education, particularly when contrasted
against the large number of universities counted
in the broader EECA region, which includes 26
countries. UNIC was also ranked the 42 nd university
in the world in the core area of quality
education, according to the 2020 Times Higher
Education University Impact Rankings and among
the top 301-400 universities globally in terms of
its overall social and economic impact.
Building its international reputation and facilitating
greater prospects for development, in 2020
UNIC signed a Memorandum of Understanding
with the University of London, one of the largest
universities in the UK. This marks the highest
international recognition of UNIC, furthering its
strategy to enhance cross-border education.
COVID-19 IMPACT
So far, 2020 has been a challenging year for many
countries and sectors due to the coronavirus
pandemic. Cyprus acted early and fast, and has
managed to contain the spread successfully, but
there is no doubt the lockdown has also affected
the education sector. However, despite having to
undergo a major transformation in a short period
of time, education in Cyprus quickly switched to
digital, facilitating distance learning, a testament
to the dedication of experts aiming to provide top
quality learning to students both in government
and private schools as well as higher education
institutions.
Universities across the island were working
around the clock to ensure their students did not
fall behind on any material, quickly shifting their
teaching online, allowing international students
to return back to their home countries while enabling
them to continue with the same standard
of education. Preparations were also made for
exams to take place online, ensuring this did not
come at a cost to quality.
Secondary Education
University of Cyprus library
The success of the island’s universities is matched by its private secondary schools, which mostly
offer an English-language education and boast high academic standards. Many of their pupils win
places at the best universities in Britain, the United States and other countries. The oldest of these
is the English School in Nicosia, established in 1900 to provide English-speaking clerical staff for the
British colonial administration. Today, many of its alumni hold senior positions in the government and
private sector. There are numerous private schools across Cyprus following different curricula – British
and American systems as well as International Baccalaureate – and offering education in various
languages, such as Greek, English, Russian and French, to cater to the ever-expanding community of
professional expatriates and their families on the island. In addition, although the generously-funded
Greek-speaking public secondary schools have to date not performed as well, they are also now set
to improve after a recent government overhaul of an outdated system for recruiting teachers.
76 Country Report CYPRUS 2020