The first university of the island, “The University of Cyprus”, was founded in 1989. This University received the first undergraduate students in 1992 and the first postgraduate students in 1997.
In 2007, the “Cyprus University of Technology” was established to offer fields of studies related to applied sciences and technology.
In 2007 three private universities were registered and given probationary license to operate based on the legislation regarding the establishment and operation of private universities in Cyprus. These universities are: “Frederick University”, “European University-Cyprus” and “University of Nicosia”. In 2010, a fourth private university, “Neapolis University-Cyprus” started its operation on the basis of a probationary license. Recently, in September 2012, the University of Central Lancashire – Cyprus received Initial Permission of Operation by the Ministry of Education and Culture. There are Music Faculties both in the “European University” as well as in the “University of Nicosia”.
Despite being still in its infancy, Cyprus Higher Educational System seeks to link education to industry and ensure alignment of curricula with societal needs. Such achievements will have a positive effect on the number of graduates, as well as on the number of students pursuing their studies further. Moreover, establishing and reinforcing links between education, industry and research will also affect the quality of HE and, as such, promote striving for excellence.
Lifelong Learning consists one of the main goals of the government policy regarding HE in Cyprus. For this purpose the Department of Higher Technical Education has developed a strategy for promoting Lifelong Learning in Cyprus HE.
The establishment of the Open University of Cyprus (http://www.ouc.ac.cy) constitutes the most important step of the island, towards the promotion of lifelong learning. In 2014, the Open University initiated in Cyprus the first MA programme in Cultural Policy and Development (http://www.ouc.ac.cy/web/guest/s1/programme/ppa/description).
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