"People should enrol in modern Greek and continue to do so," says La Trobe University Vice Chancellor John Dewar

“People should enrol in modern Greek and continue to do so,” says La Trobe University Vice Chancellor John Dewar

Efforts to keep La Trobe University's Greek studies alive are continuing but people should enrol to ensure its survival

Mary Sinanidis
8 December 2020 5:40pm

At the start of November, La Trobe University (LTU) had proposed the axing of the Greek studies program along with Hindi and Indonesian as these were deemed to be unviable. This afternoon, LTU’s Vice Chancellor John Dewar told a Greek delegation that “people should enrol (in Greek) and continue to do so”.

Greek Community of Melbourne (GCM) President Bill Papastergiadis told Neos Kosmos the most recent meeting with La Trobe University’s administration was “positive”.

“We discussed fundraising, increased enrolments, the internship program, links to industry and scholarships,” he said, but could not go into further detail regarding initiatives which are due to be announced soon.

“We will try to document these matters and I am confident we can reach a mutually beneficial outcome.”

His sentiment was echoed by Professor Dewar who said it was a “highly constructive meeting” when addressing those present.

The meeting, the most recent in a series of actions to save the teaching of the modern Greek language at a tertiary level, was the most productive to date, however two things need to happen to ensure the longevity of the program:

“A fundraising campaign is an integral part of the negotiation process,” Mr Papastergiadis said.
More students should enrol because as the numbers increase, the need for additional funds will decrease.

Professor Dewar, Pro Vice Chancellor Simon Evans and Dean Nick Bisley attended the meeting. An announcement from the university following the discussion stated that it was “another productive meeting with Greek Community of Melbourne delegates to discuss the future of the Greek Studies program at the University. Discussions are progressing constructively and positively, and we are confident we will reach a mutually beneficial outcome.”

Since the start of the announcement indicating that Modern Greek was in danger at La Trobe University, the Greek community has rallied to support the program. Greek community groups all heeded to an urgent meeting facilitated by the Greek Community of Melbourne and a delegation of community members and Greek Australian politicians was created to ensure the success of the campaign.

Fundraising efforts already begun have not been discussed with the university as yet, however these attest to the passion the Greek community feels for the language to continue to be taught at a tertiary level.

Present at today’s meeting was Mr Papastergiadis, outgoing consul general Dimitris Michalopoulos, Georgia Nikolaidou of the Greek Education Service of the Consulate, Kat Theophanous MP, Modern Greek Teachers Association Victoria (MGTAV) President Anita Ladas, GCM Deputy President Theo Markos, as well as Nick Dallas, Jorge Menidis and Spiros Papadopoulos.