Al-Garej Sends Letter to Officials Regarding Obstacles Threatening the Future of Libyan Students in Turkey and Cyprus

Mohamed Al-Said Al-Garej, head of the Libyan Student Union in Turkey and Cyprus, sent a letter to several officials including the Head of the Audit Bureau, the Prime Minister of the Government of National Unity, the Speaker of the House of Representatives, the Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research, and the Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation. The letter addresses the obstacles threatening the future of Libyan students studying in Turkey and Cyprus.

In his letter, Al-Garej stated: “We present this urgent letter after growing frustration over the disregard and unjustified silence towards the challenges faced by Libyan students in Turkey and Cyprus. The problems we face can no longer wait or be delayed, as they threaten the future of a large group of students and their families.”

Key Obstacles Requiring Immediate Action:

1. Failure to Renew Residency Permits:
   Many students and their families are facing the risk of illegal residency due to the expiration of their permits, with no intervention from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, which has failed to act despite the severity of the situation. This neglect will inevitably have dire consequences, affecting not only the students but also the reputation of Libya and its foreign relations.
2. Unacceptable Delay in Scholarship Payments:
   The prolonged delay in scholarship payments for several months is an irresponsible act concerning the fate of the students. This delay forces them into difficult situations, financially, during tough economic conditions. Continuing this way will lead to the loss of valuable academic talent that could contribute to building the future of the country.
3. Inadequate Duration of PhD Scholarships:
   PhD students in Turkey and Cyprus are suffering from unrealistic and short scholarship periods, which do not cover the required time to complete their graduate studies. The Ministry of Higher Education reduced the scholarship duration to 36 months instead of 56 months, which contradicts the previous arrangement given to their peers. Some students have already exhausted their funding, and yet their scholarship periods have not been adjusted to allow them to complete their academic journey, hindering their academic progress.
4. Denial of Master’s Students’ Rights:
   It is unacceptable to deny Master’s students, who completed their studies on time, the opportunity to continue their education and pursue a PhD, despite Libyan laws guaranteeing this right. This unjust deprivation is a clear violation of regulations and must be addressed immediately.

Consequences of Continued Neglect:

Al-Garej stressed that the continued obstacles mean that the Libyan state directly bears responsibility for destroying the future of its youth. He said: “We present this letter as a final notice, as patience has run out and ignoring this situation is no longer an option. If immediate and serious steps are not taken to resolve these issues, we hold the concerned authorities fully responsible for any consequences that may result.”

He concluded by acknowledging the technological progress made by the academic attaché in Turkey and Cyprus through digital transformation that has facilitated many procedures, and urged for this experience to be replicated in other regions, awaiting tangible actions on the ground.