“Clear rules – Clear responsibilities – Our vision for an autonomous, modern, and competitive public university is based on joint cooperation. The Government places public universities at the center of the national strategy for development, extroversion and social cohesion,” emphasized the Minister of Education. The government’s absolute support for the Greek public university and its recognition as a cornerstone of progress, innovation and social cohesion was expressed by Sophia Zacharaki, during the proceedings of the 109th Conference of Rectors. The minister presented to the Rectoral Authorities the basic aspects of the Ministry of Education’s Draft Law that is already under public consultation, while also recording their observations on certain provisions, which she said she will examine very carefully in view of the bill’s voting in the coming days in Parliament.
Within the framework of the Conference, important priorities were highlighted in which the Ministry of Education already contributes significantly, such as:
– Securing a safe and quality academic environment for all,
– The need for effective connection of education with the labor market,
– Financial support for research infrastructure and innovation and strengthening human resources,
– Promoting internationalization through strategic partnerships, English-language programs and joint programs,
– Strengthening student daily life by improving dormitories, dining and transportation.
Sophia Zacharaki on public universities
As the Minister mentioned during her address, the Government of Kyriakos Mitsotakis confirms its determination to continue supporting Greek universities even more intensively and in a targeted manner, with strategic investments, institutional initiatives and open dialogue, to strengthen their quality, competitiveness and contribution to society.
Sophia Zacharaki emphasized that from 2019 to today there has been a significant increase in funding by 28%, exceeding 130 million euros in regular funds, with a parallel strengthening of student housing by 100%, as within six years the allowance reached 87 million euros, with guidelines given by the Prime Minister himself, supporting children from vulnerable families. Additionally, approximately 590 million euros were allocated through the Public Investment Program for infrastructure, while 479 million euros have been approved from the NSRF and approximately 450 million euros from the Recovery Fund, of which 132 million for equipment/digitization/innovation.
“In total, for the period 2021-2025, the funding of Greek Higher Education Institutions reaches 1.5 billion euros, proving that the Government strengthens the public university in practice, through innovative actions that enhance the research capacity and technological superiority of the institutions,” she said characteristically.
“The Mitsotakis Government does not leave Greek Universities on the sidelines, but places them at the center of the national strategy for development, extroversion and social cohesion. Our vision is a public university that is autonomous, modern, and competitive at an international level, combining academic excellence with social responsibility,” she mentioned.
Special emphasis was given to the safety and protection of the university community. The Minister presented the six axes of the new institutional framework that has been designed through the Government’s legislative initiative, which is already under public consultation, aiming to strengthen academic freedom and the safety of education and research spaces. “I will not be an observer in these situations, but I will do whatever is necessary to implement the bill in practice. Our goal is to become supportive for you Rectors and certainly for our families and children.”
“With enhanced disciplinary procedures, utilization of modern technologies and the creation of the National Observatory of Violence, we aim for a safe environment where learning and innovation will flourish unimpeded,” she emphasized characteristically.
She even mentioned the obligation of Rectoral Authorities to submit security plans by the end of August, as a clear condition for even greater consolidation of the sense of security in university spaces, for the student and academic community. “Clear rules – clear responsibilities,” she emphasized characteristically.
“Regulations for inactive students”
At the same time, she highlighted the need for fair management of students, with regulations for inactive students that on one hand ensure transparency for the first time and on the other hand give second chances, while strengthening social justice and equality in the academic environment.
According to the Minister, the government’s overall strategy is complemented by promoting the internationalization of universities, educational support for visiting professors and researchers, as well as the substantial connection of quality academic research with the labor market, through innovative programs such as Industrial Doctorates and Research Excellence Partnerships.
Among the highlights of the Minister’s address was her reference to projects worth a total of 71.5 million euros that were included in the Public Investment Program from March 2025 to today, as well as the utilization of 97 research excellence projects, 62 visiting professor and researcher projects, 23 universities of excellence, and 74 international joint postgraduate programs with top foreign universities, which significantly strengthen Greece’s position on the international academic map.
She then made special reference to recent Ministerial Decisions that she signed, through which, via a comprehensive funding program and utilizing national and European resources, building facilities are being upgraded at several university institutions, with particular emphasis on student dormitories for which 142 million euros are allocated.
“The need for decent student dormitories is non-negotiable and constitutes a clear personal challenge for me as well. And here, the Ministry in cooperation with the Rectoral authorities, proceeded with funding for upgrading existing structures, but also for creating new ones, for the benefit of our students who belong to vulnerable social groups,” said the Minister. She even left open the possibility, with the necessary guarantees and from the private sector, for there to be a program for upgrading infrastructure in Universities, such as the “Marietta Giannakou” program for schools.
“We will continue to build a Greek university that inspires”
Sophia Zacharaki, addressing the Rectoral Authorities, said: “Your mission as Rectors is crucial and has particular importance, at a time when our country is called upon to utilize every advantage of knowledge, innovation and creativity. The Ministry of Education, within the framework of its institutional competencies and with absolute consistency, proceeds with the necessary initiatives and provides you with the necessary tools and resources. We give you the baton in this beautiful Marathon.” And she continued sending a strong message of unity, cooperation and recognition of the role of rectors and HEI administrations: “You are the pillars of this great edifice. With respect and collective effort, we will continue to build a Greek university that inspires, innovates and leads the future of our country.”
The Minister answered a series of issues raised by the Rectors, while regarding the issue of ASPETE and its integration into the University of Athens, she assured that it will be implemented in the upcoming bill of the Ministry of Education, which will be introduced in Parliament next September and will concern vocational education.
“The next day for Greek universities is already here: with extroversion, transparency, quality and ambition. We all owe it—State, Universities, students and society—to support it, because the progress of higher education is progress for the entire country,” concluded the Minister, Sophia Zacharaki.
The Deputy Minister of Education, Religion and Sports, responsible for higher education, Nikos Papaioannou, stated: “The presence of the Ministry of Education leadership at the Conference of Rectors of Greek universities confirms, once again, our will for substantial and open dialogue with the academic community. We had the opportunity to discuss with honesty and a spirit of cooperation all the critical issues that concern Higher Education Institutions, to carefully listen to the requests of the Rectoral Authorities and to exchange views on the institutional interventions that are being launched. Among them, the new legislation for enhancing the quality of studies, connecting with the labor market, internationalization of HEIs, security in Universities and further strengthening the extroversion of Institutions. The Ministry of Education is and will continue to be in excellent cooperation with the institution of the Conference of Rectors and will continue to stand by the universities, supporting every effort that promotes excellence, innovation, the public interest and the overall strengthening of the public university. Our cooperation is not simply desirable; it is absolutely necessary for shaping a strong, modern and competitive university, worthy of the country’s capabilities and the expectations of the new generation.”
