Australian Ambassador to Greece, Arthur Spyrou, has met with Greece’s Education Minister, Niki Kerameus, in Athens.
According to The Greek Herald‘s sources, the two officials spoke about the forthcoming mutual recognition of university degrees in Australia and Greece.
The Greek government released a framework law on education for public consultation on May 27 this year, which includes the possible recognition of foreign universities. Consultations on the law will end on June 12 before it is put to a vote by the Parliament.
During the meeting, the Ambassador was informed about this new proposed law and exchanged his views with the Minister.
They also spoke about the possibilities of further cooperation between both countries through student exchanges and scientific cooperation.
These possible collaborations in the education sector come as a demand for skilled and unskilled migrants in Australia is at its peak due to the global COVID-19 pandemic.
According to the NAB quarterly survey, a record 85% of Australia’s businesses report staff shortages. This is in sectors as diverse as aged care, aviation engineering, pharmacy and teaching.
In response, Australia’s leading economists have overwhelmingly endorsed a return to the highest immigration intake on record, saying Australia should aim for at least 190,000 migrants per year as it opens its borders.
A potential deal endorsing the mutual recognition of university degrees between Australia and Greece could facilitate this migration flow.
