Title: North Investigates Fraudulent College Linked to Criminal Network
The northern higher education standards authority, Yodak, in collaboration with the Turkish Cypriot police, has initiated a thorough investigation into an alleged “higher education institution” implicated in a vast criminal operation. The Cyprus Massachusetts Centre of Innovation, the institution in question, has been tied to fraudulent activities involving the creation of forged student visas.
This probe was triggered by the apprehension of a Pakistani individual in Kioneli last month. The suspect reportedly received €10,000 for producing a counterfeit student visa. Accusations level against him include the systematic production of falsified documents designed to facilitate the illegal residency of third-country nationals in the north, often in coordination with accomplices.
The north boasts 39 “higher education institutions,” distinct from its 36 universities, which fall outside Yodak’s jurisdiction and are solely regulated by the north’s education ministry. A report from Haber Kibris reveals that while 10,000 individuals are enrolled at these institutions, only 4,000 are active students. The location and activities of the remaining 6,000 registrants remain a mystery.
In response to these alarming findings, Yodak and the Turkish Cypriot police are set to conduct a series of inspections across all 39 institutions to ensure compliance with educational standards and legal requirements. The outcome of these inspections could have significant implications for the higher education landscape in the region.
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