The Republic of Cyprus has filed a complaint against “academic institutions” in the Northern Cyprus to the European Association for Quality Assurance in Higher Education (ENQA). ENQA, as the has begun investigating these universities and their relationship with possible human trafficking after following the complaints.
The Ministries of Interior and Education, Sports, and Youth, in collaboration with the Cyprus Agency of Quality Assurance and Accreditation in Higher Education (CYQAA), submitted a complaint against universities in the Northern Cyprus , presenting substantiated evidence regarding 188 cases of third-country nationals who arrived in the North on student visas and almost simultaneously crossed over to the South of Cyprus. According to the Ministry’s press release, those who crossed over to South, applied for asylum.
By examining the testimonies and evidence gathered by the authorities of the South, it was established that these were fake students.
Following the complaints, ENQA, as the competent European body, has initiated an investigation into these institutions and their potential link to human trafficking.
( Source: CNA- Philenews)