Egyptian students hopeful of repatriation

Egyptian students currently based in Northern Cyprus may soon be reunited with their families following an initiative by the government of Egypt to repatriate an estimated 10 million of its citizens who are either working or studying abroad.

In a statement released by the Embassy of Egypt on 31 March and published by the Egyptian Student Society on Facebook, the government has plans to airlift students based in Northern Cyprus who want to return home due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

There are an estimated 2,000 students from Egypt in Northern Cyprus. During an interview with University World News via Facebook Messenger, the head of the Egyptian Student Society at Eastern Mediterranean University, Yousef Mohammed Toaimah, said despite students’ optimism, the initiative had not been put into action and could be delayed by political tensions between Egypt and Turkey.

“We live in Northern Cyprus which is considered to be an occupied zone according to the Egyptian government and is not internationally recognised as a country and this may delay efforts to bring students back home,” he said.

While hundreds of students went on to complete the requisite application forms for their return, the society said it discouraged any travelling “as it is considered a bigger risk for all the people involved… it is also imperative to note that the Cypriot government is doing a great job in limiting the risks”.

However, most students want to go home.

Difficult circumstances

“This is the worst time for us to be away from our families, given the difficult circumstances we face financially; I definitely wish to go home,” said Azize Mashal, an Ethiopian pharmacy student at Near East University. Her sentiments are shared by thousands of international students who are struggling to make ends meet as a result of the impact of the coronavirus crisis in Northern Cyprus.

Meanwhile the Turkish Cypriot government has repatriated 184 of its citizens, including students, who landed at Ercan Airport on a chartered flight on 4 April and were placed in quarantine. More students are also expected to return from England next week.

The number of infections in Northern Cyprus has risen to 91, with two of the cases being students who returned from the UK, according to the Ministry of Health.

Universities are expected to conduct the rest of spring semester through online learning. Toaimah cited several concerns about the process in a letter that was addressed to the Ministry of Higher Education in Northern Cyprus on 27 March. While online platforms were a good alternative, there was a need to review costs and return a portion of fees to students, he said. Furthermore, students in practical courses such as medicine and architecture would be negatively affected by the shift.

Meanwhile, following a backlash from students and the Cypriot community, Prime Minister Ersin Tatar issued an apology via Twitter for his allegedly derogatory remarks about African students and foreign workers.

“I am human too … what I meant was misunderstood … I am very sorry … and apologise to those people.”

Support for foreign students

Following his apology, the Ministry of National Education and Culture stepped up efforts to assist foreign students by working with universities to provide aid packages and psychological support.

The ministry has also set up a “higher education support line” due to come into effect on 7 April to provide a direct link between international students and the government

Chamber of Commerce President Turgay Deniz caused another stir when he suggested that rather than abandon third country nationals, most of whom are students, the state should create “a fenced area” or military zone for all foreigners where they will be housed and fed.

Responding on behalf of many students, Louay Ab said via Instagram: “In no shape or form is it appropriate to address university students as refugees when they are by law residing here as students.”

Condemning racist remarks about foreign students, the first Turkish Cypriot elected to the European Parliament, Niyazi Kizilyürek, said: “Discriminating against people based on their colour, language or ethnicity and calling for their imprisonment … is a clear act of fascism.”

He urged political leaders to use the coronavirus crisis as an opportunity to become “part of humanity as a whole”.