“No decisions have reached the Ministry of Education,” Deputy Minister of Education Nikos Papaioannoy clearly stated on the ERTNews Update show, referring to applications from foreign institutions and the operation of private universities in Greece. As the Deputy Minister of Education explained, the relevant decisions are expected from the National Authority for Higher Education (NAHE) and EOPPEP, with a deadline of August 9th for completing their assessments.
Read: Universities: “Green light” for six private universities – See which ones
Papaioannoy on private universities: No decisions issued yet – Those meeting requirements start immediately
At the same time, Deputy Minister of Education Nikos Papaioannoy also addressed eternal students, saying that favorable treatment is provided for all those showing active interest. “I don’t know which of the 12 foreign universities that applied will receive operating licenses immediately,” said Mr. Papaioannoy, emphasizing that the government “will be formal and correct when announcing something.” Despite circulating leaks, he stressed that no decision has reached the Ministry from the two competent authorities. However, he was quick to declare that “the exhaustion of deadlines shows that the work being done is so correct, so formal, according to the law, and not done in secret.”
Regarding the potential operation of these institutions from September, he emphasized: “As soon as the file arrives, everything that has met the requirements starts immediately.” He also clarified that the operating and establishment license will be accompanied by evaluation of study programs from NAHE, as each university has submitted different programs.
Nikos Papaioannoy on eternal students: It cannot continue indefinitely
Regarding the burning issue of dismissing students who exceed study duration, the Deputy Minister of Education defended the new legislation. “Working and studying is honorable. But if studies were completed 30 years ago and you haven’t received a degree, it means you’ve made a different life choice,” he stated.
Mr. Papaioannoy noted that approximately 330,000 students appear in university registries without having graduated, some since 1930. “Nearly 28,000 students, from the ’22-23 academic year onwards, continuously take exams, because obviously these are the students who are interested, despite their problems, in completing their studies,” he noted. As he emphasized, the choice of the others is respectable, but they cannot remain indefinitely in the registries.
For those showing active interest, he noted that favorable treatment is provided. “Those who have passed 70% of their courses and don’t complete by September will have three more examination periods. If they only have one or two courses left, they will also have an intercalary examination period.” At the same time, he emphasized the social aspect of the legislation: “It doesn’t only concern those working or having health problems. It includes pregnancy cases, something very positive in view of the demographic problem.”
