La Trobe University has announced the appointment of Chair in Greek Studies and Director for the new Research Centre for Greek Studies.
The brief announcement in the Dean’s Newsletter to Humanities & Social Sciences Staff, November 4, informs teaching staff that the position has been filled and that the name of the successful applicant will be announced upon approval of the appointment by the university’s Council.
“The position of Chair in Greek Studies and Director, Research Centre for Greek Studies has been filled. I will make an announcement once Council has approved the appointment,” writes the Dean of the Faculty that will “adopt” the Centre.
The Research Centre for Greek Studies will replace the defunct National Centre for Hellenic Research and Studies (EKEME), that was closed last year following a damning review of its practices and serious doubts about its financial viability.
A Review of the National Centre for Hellenic Studies and Research, commissioned by Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Research), Tim Brown, recommended among other things “that the University disestablish the NCHSR (EKEME) and replace it with a Centre for Hellenic Studies (provisional title) within the Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences” (Review Committee of the National Centre for Hellenic Studies and Research, Recommendation 5).
The recommendation of the Review Committee was the death knell of EKEME. The Council ordered its closure and announced the replacement of the ten years old EKEME with a new, academically re-oriented Research Centre for Greek Studies.
In a hostile public meeting, in October 2008, Professor Brown told agitated friends of EKEME the closure of the Centre will not disadvantage the teaching of the Greek language at La Trobe University.
Professor Brown, at the meeting, underscored the “commitment” of the university to support the new Centre for the first five years of its existence, after which a review will determine its future.
It is hoped that the new Centre will commence operating in 2010, thus negating criticism for “feet dragging” by the university. NKEE understands that the name of the successful applicant may be announced at tomorrow’s staff meeting, together with details about the establishment of the Centre.