Education ministry points to major benefits of unveiled cooperation plan between Greek unis

A landmark program this week inaugurating cooperation between a handful of Greek universities and 30 of the top schools in the United States – some among the best tertiary institutions in the world – generated heightened interest and questions in the country.

In a press release, Greece’s education ministry provided clarifications.

One of the main pre-election pledges by the current center-right Mitsotakis government has been to significantly improve the quality of higher education in the east Mediterranean country, including with partnerships and cooperation with foreign universities.

As per the Greek constitution, non-profit, non-state universities and colleges in Greece are still not recognized as tertiary institutions, with the state holding a monopoly in the sector.

Specifically, regarding benefits of a so-called internationalization of Greek universities and colleges, the ministry press release pointed to what it called the benefits:

“For our students: Creating joint study programs and co-lecturing with foreign professors; our students gain access to world-renowned universities without being required to emigrate, with all that this implies, financially and personally, for their families. Also, the new legal framework has clear benefits for students, who wish to gain experience abroad, as it facilitates the establishment of partnerships. For instance, an agreement (exists) between the National Kapodistrian University of Athens (EKPA) and Yale for tuition-free attendance of courses – ones that count towards obtaining a degree – for post-graduate and doctoral students.

They will benefit at all levels, including from a significant inflow of income from foreign students, as it’s estimated, for example, that tuition fee income from just one English-language undergraduate medical program totals four million euros for a course of study. This revenue can be used to upgrade infrastructure, such as the construction/renovation of student dormitories, sports facilities, libraries and laboratories.

“In terms of prestige and international visibility, our universities are gaining their rightful place on the international academic map, as shown by partnerships with leading institutions, such as Harvard, Yale, Princeton and Columbia.

“For Greece: The benefits are manifold, both at the economic and geopolitical level. In terms of economic benefits, the influx of foreign students to Greece is a source of revenue – and not only during the tourist season. Geopolitically, education and culture are two of the most important components in the country’s diplomatic ‘arsenal’, and the deepening of cooperation with world leaders of science and intellectuals, who will contribute to the further strengthening of Greece friendly relations with others peoples”.

The ministry also cited the creation and basing, in Athens, of an international center for education by Columbia University, announced by Columbia President Lee Bollinger on the sidelines of the recent Pharos Summit 2022, Greek-US Collaboration in Higher Education, which took place in the Greek capital.