This morning, Deputy Minister of Education, Nikos Papaioannou, addressed the public following the State Council’s decision to approve the establishment and operation of non-state universities in the country.
“We are witnessing a historic ruling from the Council of State, which strongly supports the reform agenda of the New Democracy government led by Kyriakos Mitsotakis. Currently, 12 proposals from non-state universities are under evaluation. The Independent National Authority for Higher Education and EOPPEP will oversee the assessment of these dossiers,” he explained.
The Deputy Minister elaborated that the evaluation process will determine whether these universities and their curricula can proceed. “The operation of non-state universities is set to commence in early October,” he indicated. He added that potential students must be aware of the institutions’ locations and enroll in advance, emphasizing the need for proper planning. According to the law, a recommendation from the RAE (Higher Education Regulatory Authority) must be submitted by the end of July.
The Greek regulatory body, the Institute of Higher Education, will need to approve the proposals for new higher education institutions. Following this, the evaluation of their curricula will take place. “I believe that the institutions granted approval will meet the required standards, and several of them have years of experience that can significantly contribute. We’ve also received positive feedback from abroad about potential collaborations and student exchanges,” he noted.
Papaioannou expressed confidence that branches of foreign universities might open in Greece, citing the lower cost of living compared to other European nations as a significant advantage. “This situation can attract more international students. Coupled with the globalization and openness of Greek public universities, as well as the presence of foreign institutions in our country, Greece can evolve into a prominent academic hub, potentially the largest in Eastern Europe,” he stated.
Regarding admission requirements for non-state universities, the Deputy Minister explained that candidates must have passed the national exams to reach the Minimum Admission Base (MBE) for their chosen field; for example, aspiring law students must have taken relevant examinations. “A candidate who has only taken Mathematics cannot simply declare their intent to enroll in law studies,” he clarified.
In response to critiques from the opposition, Papaioannou remarked, “The opposition remains entrenched in outdated ideologies. Colleges do not become universities; they lacked oversight and were not integrated into a Coordinated Higher Education framework. These criticisms serve only to obscure the vital reform efforts in Higher Education.”
The Deputy Minister further clarified that “no faculty member of a Greek public university may also teach at a non-state university. Our dedication to the Greek public university is not driven solely by financial motives; it stems from our passion for education and research, as evidenced by our extensive contributions that have propelled the Greek Public University to impressive standings in international rankings.”
“All institutions will operate based on their financial resources and capabilities, which will be evaluated in the assessment process,” he concluded.
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