By the end of 2023, the criteria of the National Higher Education Authority for the establishment and operation of foreign, non-state universities in Greece are expected to have been “locked in”, according to a high-ranking official of the Ministry of Education. Earlier, according to APE-MPE sources, a relevant legislative initiative of the ministry will precede, with which it is expected that ETHAAE will be officially assigned the process of defining the criteria.

On the part of ETHAAE, however, a relevant preparatory work has now begun. “We will have to see what criteria should be met for whether an educational entity can function as a university”, explained Periklis Mitkas, president of the Supreme Council of ETHAAE, speaking to APE-MBE.

He characterized the establishment of a foreign, non-state university as a “complex case”, as many factors should be taken into account, such as the infrastructure (rooms and laboratories) and the method of selecting professors, but also ensuring its sustainability and development. As Mr. Mitkas clarified, ETHAAE will act in the context of international practices for similar procedures, making the necessary adjustments to Greece’s data.

It has already been clarified by the Ministry of Education that the criteria will be very strict and all the details of the establishment and operation framework will be checked, since the aim is for the degree of these universities to be academically and professionally equal to that of the Greek public universities. That is, they will be distinct from colleges, which provide degrees with vocational equivalents only.

According to a high-ranking official of the Ministry of Education, the interest from foreign universities has already been expressed for their presence in Greece and there are already proposals. “What remains, is to “unlock” the institutional parameter”, he said characteristically.

As he pointed out, article 28 of the Constitution in conjunction with texts of reputable constitutionalists and EU law and assisted by international conventions can bypass the review of article 16 and allow the presence of foreign, non-state universities in Greece.

Article 28 states that “the generally accepted rules of international law, as well as international conventions, from their ratification by law and their entry into force, according to the terms of each, are an integral part of internal Greek law and prevail over any other contrary provision of law. The application of the rules of international law and international conventions to foreigners is always subject to the condition of reciprocity”.

As stated in an interpretative statement added by the 2001 Revision, Article 28 is a foundation for Greece’s participation in European integration processes.

Thus, the establishment of establishment and operation criteria, combined with the “subscription” of Article 28, will allow – at least in the first phase – the presence of branches of European universities in Greece.

“We are coming out of an introverted, self-indulgent approach to Higher Education”, noted, speaking to APE-MPE, the General Secretary of Higher Education, Odysseas Zoras. “Things are changing in Europe at a dizzying pace, it’s time to adapt to European events,” he added, also referring to the revision process of Article 16 in the future.

He pointed out the reciprocity clause contained in article 28, to emphasize that at the same time, as long as the necessary interstate agreements are in place, Greek universities will also have the possibility to have a presence in European countries.

However, from the point of view of Greek HEIs, according to sources close to the Synod of Rectors, the priority and main goal remains the strengthening of public universities.