Matovic ready to release millions to increase number of Slovak medical students

Finance Minister Igor Matovic (OLaNO) reported on his Facebook account on Tuesday that he wants to increase the number of Slovak medical students at university faculties in Slovakia, claiming that his ministry is ready to release millions in order to compensate universities for losses in revenues in relation to accepting foreign students. "Slovakia has a strong interest in increasing the number of students of medicine from the current 700 to 1,200 students per year as of the next academic year," wrote Matovic. The minister pointed to the fact that Slovakia educates approximately 430 foreign medical students per academic year. "Medical faculties claim that they must accept foreign students because they obtain €4,000 more per head for them than for Slovak students from the state," said Matovic, noting that he considers it unwise not to pay faculties the differential. According to him, it would be illogical not to attempt to make hundreds of additional places available to Slovak medical students, who are likely to stay and work in the country. (TASR)