Independent think-tank the Public Policy Institute is concerned that the recently adopted amendment to the University Act might enable corruption at public higher education institutions. Institute's chief analyst Peter Martis said that funds will again be siphoned off from schools via third subjects just like it works now. According to him, the provision that made it into the amendment at the last moment and is vague will enable firms to do business at schools. The Public Policy Institute dislikes in the amendment that does not clearly define that schools can conclude contracts with third parties just to finance study of external students whom they would employ after they finish their study.
The amendment to the University Act is currently waiting for the president's signature. Rectors of the nine privately owned higher education institutions clustered in the newly founded association have already turned to the head of state with an appeal not to sign the bill, as they want parliament to again discuss its wording. According to the association, restrictions for acceptation of external students are at odds with the constitution and also do not conform with the Lisbon strategy of lifelong education. The approved legislation rules that the number of external students cannot exceed the number of students attending a school on a daily basis. The association wants to attach an amendment to the bill that the restriction does not pertain to private higher education institutions.
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