The Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research has approved a new policy that allows citizen students studying abroad to undertake remote learning for up to one academic semester, under exceptional circumstances. While students will still be responsible for tuition fees, those not residing in the host country will see a suspension of their financial allowances during this remote study period. Additionally, students can study one or more courses remotely, subject to specific regulations.
Conditions for Remote Study Approval
According to Ministerial Decision No. 179 of 2026, the Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research, or an authorised delegate, may grant permission for complete remote study for a maximum of one semester. This is applicable in exceptional situations, such as legitimate academic reasons acknowledged by the educational institution, personal crises, or instances of natural disasters and other emergencies preventing regular attendance.
For approval of remote study, the educational institution’s consent is mandatory. Furthermore, the programme must originally be accredited for in-person learning on campus, and remote education should not be a permanent option or the default pathway for completing the course. Prior written approval from the ministry is also required before the remote study commences.
Implications of Approval
The ramifications of such approval include the suspension of allocated financial support for the student throughout the duration of remote learning, should they not be residing in the host country. Students will remain responsible for tuition fees and will not receive monetary compensation for the suspended financial allowances during remote study. However, this period will count towards the approved duration of their scholarship.
The ministry has underscored the importance of students notifying the ministry and the educational attaché or representative office in the host country upon resuming in-person studies to update scholarship records and reinstate financial allowances starting from the date of resumption, following the established procedural guidelines.
Remote Course Study Justifications
The minister or an authorised representative may also approve the study of one or more courses remotely or via unconventional teaching methods, provided that the requested courses are unavailable for in-person study at the educational institution, or cannot be offered in the designated semester as per the approved academic plan, or in cases of extraordinary academic or personal circumstances.
Courses approved for remote learning will be counted towards the student’s overall academic plan if sanctioned by the educational institution. Importantly, such approval will not result in a transfer or change of educational institution, nor will it adjust the financial allowances allocated to the student. The ministry will not bear any additional fees or costs arising from studying these courses at another higher education institution, including any differences in tuition. This approval does not extend the scholarship duration or delay the student’s graduation, unless otherwise stated in the approval decision. Students are restricted to the specified courses in the approval and cannot undertake additional remote studies or unconventional modes without obtaining fresh approval from the ministry.