One small step for La Trobe, one giant leap for Australia’s Greek community

·

No final decision has been made yet with regards to the discontinuation of the Greek studies program at La Trobe but there seems to be a beam of light at the end of the tunnel according to Greek Community of Melbourne President, Bill Papastergiadis.

In a meeting that took place on Tuesday, between the University’s Vice Chancellor John Dewar, academics and a delegation from the Greek Community including the outgoing Greek Consul General in Melbourne Dimitrios Michalopoulos and Victorian Labor MP Kat Theofanous an additional extension of 14 days was given until a final decision is made.

“We agreed to put a submission to the university which will document a mechanism for providing some financial support and also outlines initiatives that we can develop to increase student numbers. Clearly, the more students they have, the less the financial cost for the university,” Bill Papastergiadis told The Greek Herald.

“We are going to work together to try and find a solution. We have a meeting scheduled for next Tuesday with the Vice Chancellor with no guarantees but the University will hopefully approve this submission and this will help retain the program,” Papastergiadis said. 

“This is a great development. It’s extremely rare for a university to go back on a decision like this and as a community we’ve done a great job so far. We now need to match the campaign with financial support.”

In his speech, during the meeting, the outgoing Greek Consul General in Melbourne, Dimitris Michalopoulos expressed his support and promised that he and his successor will keep contributing to the efforts for the continuation of the program.

“You have received a letter signed by the Secretary General of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, responsible for Greeks Abroad and Public Diplomacy, Mr. I. Chrysoulakis.  In this letter, which summarises the Ministry’s position, the request to save the Programme is based on solid arguments relating to past Greek support but also on current pledges, such as the secondment of an assistant to the Programme from the ranks of the Greek-language teachers seconded every year in Australia. 

“I would like to assure you that the Consulate General, as well as the Office of Education Coordinator will be working towards the goal of maintaining at all costs the seconded teacher at the Programme for years to come,” reads the statement given to the media by the Consul General. 

In a statement to The Greek Herald on November 23rd La Trobe University wrote that they “will carefully consider the outcomes of staff consultation, as well as representations made from members of the community, regarding the future of the program before making any decision. “

READ MORE: Greek community waits anxiously for decision on Greek Studies at La Trobe

Cretan Convention - Web Banner

Advertisement

Share:

KEEP UP TO DATE WITH TGH

By subscribing you accept our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy.

Advertisement

Latest News

Sydney Metro drives dining boom from Sydenham to Crows Nest

Sydney’s new Metro line is transforming the dining scene, bringing fresh crowds to restaurants on both sides of the Harbour Bridge.

Greek Deputy Foreign Minister Ioannis Loverdos welcomed to Perth by WA Governor

Greek Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Ioannis Loverdos was welcomed to Government House in Perth by WA Governor Chris Dawson.

‘Keystone criminal’ Aristides Avlonitis jailed over botched WA cocaine plot

Aristides Avlonitis has been sentenced to over nine years in prison for his role in an attempt to import over 229 kgs of cocaine into WA.

Greek Parliament passes ban on protests at Tomb of the Unknown Soldier

Greece’s Parliament on Wednesday approved a contentious amendment banning demonstrations in front of the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier.

From Athens to Adelaide: Hellenic bonds strengthened at dinner for Loverdos

South Australia’s Greek community gathered at the Mortlock Chamber to honour visiting Deputy Minister Ioannis Loverdos.

You May Also Like

Greek filotimo praised amid fire emergency on Rhodes

As many as 40,000 tourists have been evacuated or urgently fled Rhodes on the weekend in one of Greece's largest-ever wildfire evacuations.

Greek man behind unprecedented gang wars in Sweden

A 25-year-old former Greek hockey player has been involved in the recent war gangs on drugs in Sweden.

Exclusive: Angelica and Alexandra Georgopoulos – The ‘dynamic duo’ of refereeing in Australian Women’s Football

By Takis Triadafillou No sports match is complete without a referee, and the best referees are some of the hardest to find. Two who are...