THE Council of Rectors informed, with a relevant announcement, about the meeting held by teleconference on the bill entitled “Strengthening the Public University – Framework for the operation of non-profit branches of foreign universities”.

The Synod emphasizes that it “continues to defend the public nature of higher education and considers that any significant change must be made in the light of the public interest dictated by the needs of Greek society”.

For the establishment of non-state-non-profit universities, he considers that it is necessary “the existence of a clear and comprehensive institutional framework and the assistance of scientific, social and spatial conditions. If they work, a series of strict guarantees must be ensured in order to upgrade the quality of studies as a whole”.

Finally, it “strongly states that the Hellenic Public University will continue to express the expectations of Greek society and recalls the need to strengthen funding and human resources”.

Analytically:

Today, Friday, February 16, 2024, an extraordinary meeting of the Synod of Chancellors was held via video conference on the subject of the draft law entitled “Strengthening of a Public University – Framework for the operation of non-profit branches of foreign universities”.

The Synod finds with a strong majority that the bill brings about a critical change in the field of higher education, which will have serious effects on the operation of public universities, especially regional ones, which are deemed to need to be strengthened as a matter of priority. Such a serious change requires consultation at a convenient time.

Regarding the articles of the bill concerning the strengthening of public universities, the Synod estimates that the Ministry of Education, Religion and Sports utilized part of its proposals. However, more steps need to be taken to effectively strengthen and strengthen the administrative autonomy of Universities. It is necessary to establish a modern and flexible operating framework that reduces bureaucracy and simplifies procedures, while ensuring transparency and accountability.

Regarding the articles of the bill concerning the operation of non-state universities, the Synod continues to defend the public nature of higher education and considers that any significant change must be made in the light of the public interest dictated by the needs of Greek society. In any case, for their establishment, the existence of a clear and integrated institutional framework and the assistance of scientific, social and spatial conditions are necessary. If they work, a series of strict guarantees must be ensured in order to upgrade the quality of studies as a whole.

Finally, the Synod strongly declares that the Hellenic Public University will continue to express the expectations of Greek society and recalls the need to strengthen funding and human resources.