In Greece, on Friday 8 March 2024, the Greek Parliament voted and approved a law authorizing private universities, with 159 votes in favor, 129 against and 11 abstentions. This law, in effect, allows the establishment of private higher institutions/ private universities (possibly renowned) in Greece, as well as the opening of the annexes of private foreign universities in Greece. The granting of titles equivalent to those of public institutions is evident. It should be noted that this law was part of a set of laws that also affected public universities. It should be noted that this law was part of a set of laws that also affected public universities. This law does not have the approval of a significant number of professors and students from universities, and a large part of Greek society. However, it is difficult to say whether the majority of society/ students/professors are for or against this law. This does not prevent that thousands of students have expressed their opposition to this law with demonstrations in Athens, Thessaloniki and other cities of Greece, as well as with occupations and temporary closures of some public university institutions (e.g. the University of Athens, the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, etc.). One of the opposition’s arguments is that this law violates article 16 of the 1975 Constitution, which provides that higher education is provided exclusively by public institutions.

The Government hopes to attract foreign investment and students and allow more young Greeks to study at universities abroad (through its subsidiaries) without going abroad to study. According to UNESCO (data 2022), 40,395 Greek baccalaureate holders have gone abroad to study. Greece has in the European Union (EU) the highest number of students abroad, proportionally to its population (Greek population 10.5 million). The institution of private universities exists in several countries in Europe, the United States and the world in general. The Government calls for the establishment of private universities to be determined according to criteria and requirements similar to those of public institutions with rigorous controls.

For more information and discussions, contact Professor Dimos N. Pantazis, University of Western Attica dnpantazis@uniwa.gr.