The University of the Aegean, based in Mytilene, is examining a program that would allow Syrian refugees to enrol into tertiary education through fast-track procedures. The University of the Aegean’s dean Stephanos Gritzalis told Proto Thema that the university has branches on six islands (Lesbos, Samos, Chios, Rhodes, Syros and Lemnos) and there are plans to include students at all these branches, however the model for student entry has yet to be completed.

“Some of them have certification of their studies with them but others do not, so we would need to have contacts with their relevant embassies,” he said. The dean said that teaching the Greek language and the creation of a social service aimed at offering career orientation to students are being studied.

“There are 17 departments and there needs to be work done concerning the choice of studies,” Gritzalis said “we need to help them adapt to society in case they want to stay in the country.”  Regarding the financing of the plan, the dean said that the Syrian students could use student housing without financially burdening the university provided that assistance in this regard was given from the United Nations Organization. Funding could be given from the UN or the European Commission.