Just a few days ago, Minister of Education Kyriakos Pierrakakis announced that Greek universities would collaborate with top foreign universities on numerous joint postgraduate programs.
Specifically, he stated: “Greek public universities, with the support of the Recovery Fund, will be able, within a few months—essentially weeks—to announce partnerships with top universities abroad for joint postgraduate programs. There will be dozens of these programs, primarily in English, which will be conducted here. Graduates will receive a joint degree from a leading English-speaking university abroad and a top Greek public university. This will be supported by us, by European institutions, and by European funding tools.”
Following these statements, Professor Voula Tsouna highlighted that many Greek universities and departments are outward-looking, rank highly in international evaluations, and include professors with a global presence and activity. She firmly believes that the most significant investment the country can make is to enhance education at all levels.
Indeed, with a focus on internationalization, a key strategy of the government is to position Greece as a “regional education hub,” according to Pierrakakis.
Professor Tsouna acknowledges the need to address existing weaknesses in academia, particularly those related to a lack of infrastructure, funding, and effective management of human resources. However, similar challenges are also faced by major universities abroad.
Provided these issues are resolved, “Greece will be able to offer better educational conditions for Greek students, attract international students to English-language programs, and become a magnet for American and European postgraduate students,” she argues. She believes American students will increasingly choose English-taught Master’s programs in Greece. A promotional campaign for Greek universities abroad is essential.
Voula Tsouna discusses the challenges and opportunities of Greek universities’ internationalization with protothema.gr.
“Although there is still much to be done, it is unfair to say that Greek universities are not internationalized,” Professor Tsouna asserts, noting that it is often overlooked that many Greek universities are vibrant examples of academic excellence with global influence: “The National Technical University of Athens undoubtedly stands out, along with the Technical Universities of Aristotle University and Crete. Our Medical Schools, I believe, are among the best in the world in research, despite their relatively low funding. In the humanities and social sciences, we also have a lot to showcase. As for research centers, Demokritos is of global standing. Therefore, we should not discuss internationalization as if we are a ‘scientific backwater’—because we are not!” she concludes.
Nevertheless, many “weaknesses” in the Greek system hinder the further internationalization of universities. These are not necessarily systemic issues but often stem from a lack of infrastructure, funding, and the need for more effective management of human resources. Planning, leveraging new academics, and upgrading educational and administrative resources are essential. According to Professor Tsouna, “The high level of higher education in Greece does not negate the systemic issues in academia, which may be related to the core function of a university—producing research and disseminating knowledge. However, systemic issues also exist in the French, British, and American academic systems—everywhere.” She adds:
In Greece, the issue often lies not so much in “pathologies” but in “weaknesses,” such as insufficient infrastructure, lack of human resources, inadequate planning, and insufficient funding. If these are resolved, we will be able to improve the experience of our students and also welcome students from abroad.
Private Universities
Regarding the establishment of private universities in Greece, Ms. Tsouna emphasizes that a strong public university system has nothing to fear from competition with private institutions.
“Of course, public universities can coexist with private institutions, as happens in many other countries. A ‘robust’ public university, with high-level research and teaching, has no reason to fear competition from private universities, especially if it continues to be strengthened. However, I believe that the establishment of private universities, in and of itself, will not necessarily elevate public universities by acting as a ‘lever of pressure’ for their improvement. Strong funding is needed in this direction. Therefore, private universities alone will neither upgrade public universities nor undermine them by ‘taking their students.’ Historically, students who aspire to become engineers, for example, will aim to enter the Polytechnics. In France, for instance, there are a few private universities, such as the École Spéciale d’Architecture, that operate alongside the public system without directly competing with it. Students who choose public universities have clear incentives for doing so, such as the recognition and quality of education. The same will apply to Greece, with the presence of a few good private institutions simply offering an alternative option,” she says, summarizing: “What I would like to see is a continuous strengthening and funding of public universities, as well as reforms to address any deficiencies. At the same time, private institutions should meet strict academic standards imposed by the Greek state.”
Strategies for Attracting Foreign Students
For Greece, attracting foreign students is no easy task. Offering high-level English-language programs through existing university departments could serve as the first step towards enhancing internationalization. While some English-language departments already exist, there is a need to expand and upgrade them by creating world-class postgraduate programs.
“A realistic goal would be for American students to come to Greece for quality English-language Master’s programs rather than undergraduate studies. These foreign-language postgraduate programs should run alongside Greek-language Master’s degrees. It would be ideal if funding for these programs increased, and if more young scientists, both from abroad and from within Greece, could contribute to this effort as instructors.”
Another crucial factor is promoting these programs. “Universities must invest in targeted advertising campaigns to raise awareness abroad. Success breeds success, and if these programs establish themselves, they will attract more students who currently choose other countries, such as the UK or Cyprus,” explains Ms. Tsouna. She also highlights the low cost of such programs, which is certainly an attraction for foreign students: “Greece can offer competitive tuition fees, but that alone is not enough to attract foreign students. The first question a student asks is not about the cost of the program but the value of the degree. The degree must have strong international recognition to attract students.”
Incentives for Greek Students to Stay in the Country
Efforts toward internationalization should not overlook the fact that one of the main goals must be encouraging Greek students to remain in the country. The emigration of young people abroad, the well-known “brain drain,” is one of modern Greece’s greatest challenges. Strengthening universities, improving infrastructure, and offering high-quality educational programs are crucial to persuading young people to stay and complete their studies within the country.
The housing crisis, affecting both Greek and foreign students, is another major issue. “Measures need to be taken for the construction of new dormitories—this, for instance, is one of the goals of the rectorship and the Foundation Council at Panteion University. Or for improving existing infrastructure so that students can study without the stress of financial pressure caused by high rents,” emphasizes the professor.
The Role of the Greek Academic Community Abroad
Another strategy for bolstering internationalization is the active involvement of the Greek academic community abroad. Greek academics teaching at globally prestigious universities can play a decisive role in promoting Greek postgraduate programs and strengthening collaborations with foreign institutions.
Long-Term Prospects
The internationalization of Greek universities is not an endeavor that can yield immediate results. It requires a time frame of at least ten years for the system to stabilize and for the programs to be established as reliable options on an international level. “Certainly, there are things that need to be corrected or eliminated. The planning must be cross-party and long-term, as educational reforms require time and stability to bear fruit. After all, the greatest investment we can make as a country is in education,” the professor underscores, adding:
“The internationalization of Greek higher education is a realistic endeavor, provided the right steps are taken. Creating favorable conditions for faculty salaries and research, improving infrastructure, developing competitive English-language postgraduate programs, and collaborating with the Greek academic community abroad are central elements of this effort. With the right approach and long-term planning, Greece can establish itself as a destination for students from around the world while retaining talented scientists within the country.”
