Macquarie University to accept enrolments for Modern Greek Studies in 2024

Some positive news has come out of Macquarie University regarding the Modern Greek Studies Program as it was confirmed that it will run as normal, meaning enrolments will be accepted for 2024.

It was revealed last month that the Macquarie University was looking at potentially discontinuing a number of its language programs for next year, Modern Greek included, though the official decision has now been pushed back to mid-2024.

As such, The Macquarie Greek Studies Foundation stated that the status quo for the program will remain unchanged, meaning that new enrolments will take place for the 2024 academic year.

The Foundation’s president, Theo Premetis, spoke glowingly of this development and expressed confidence that the program will continue.

“I always feel optimistic and I believe that we will come up with an arrangement. I can’t say anything on it with certainty until the final decision is made but I do feel optimistic,” Mr Premetis told Neos Kosmos.

The Foundation, along with Sophie Cotsis (Minister for Industrial Relations and for Work Health and Safety) held a conference with the university’s Vice Chancellor wherein they made their case for the Modern Greek Studies Program.

It was during that conference where it was revealed that the decision over its future would be made next year.

“We believe that we will have the final decision in June next year. That is what they said to us,” Mr Premetis said.

“I want to thank the whole board, especially Mr Leon Bombotas who helped us a lot in drafting the written submission and making the presentation, and Ms Cotsis who was also at the conference with the Vice Chancellor.”

The Foundation’s president stated his belief that the Vice Chancellor saw them in a “good light” in their meeting and told them that they and the Greek community ran a good campaign for the preservation of Modern Greek at Macquarie.

He also expressed that in the event the program is discontinued, the new and existing students would likely be able to finish their studies with the inclusion of Modern Greek in some capacity.

“Obviously, we want to feel optimistic that they will continue. Right now, there is no case for them to cut it and end the subject altogether for those students,” Mr Premetis said.

“There will be some sort of schedule that will include Modern Greek for them. That is what we hope, anyway.”

Mr Premetis extended a sincere thank you to all media for their work and support on this issue, as well all the numerous officials and organisations from Australia, Greece and around the world that also rallied on this issue.

He also recognised the achievement of the Macquarie University Greek Association’s petition that gathered over 2,500 signatures in support of continuing the program.

In addition to enrolments being accepted, other scheduled academic and outreach activities will also remain, including the maintenance of Macquarie University as the only certified Examination Centre in NSW for the Certificate of Attainment in the Greek Language (the largest such centre in Australia and one of the most significant in the whole world).

Events are also being planned for 2024 such as the Awards Ceremony for the Certificates of Attainment in the Greek Language scheduled for early February 2024, celebrating the International Day of the Greek Language.

The Foundation noted that all these academic activities have been initiated through the tireless efforts of Dr. Patricia Koromvokis, Director of the Modern Greek Studies Program at Macquarie University.

This is an immensely positive development in the situation which has caused a stir among our community since it was first revealed last month, and the hope is even better news comes in the new year.

The campaign was actively supported by Archbishop Makarios, the Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Hellenic Republic, George Kotsiras, the General Secretariat for Greeks Abroad and Public Diplomacy of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Hellenic Republic, Ioannis Chrysoulakis, the General Secretariat for Higher Education of the Greek Ministry of Education, Religious Affairs and Sports of the Hellenic Republic, Odysseas – Ioannis Zoras, the Hon. Stephen Kamper, MP, Minister for Small Business, Minister for Lands and Property, Minister for Multiculturalism, and Minister for Sport, the Hon. Sophie Cotsis, MP, Minister for Industrial Relations, and Minister for Work Health and Safety, the Greek Consul General in Sydney, Ioannis Mallikourtis, the President of the Greek Orthodox Community and Church of Canberra, John Loukadellis, along with two federal members of the parliament, Steve Georganas MP and David Smith MP, the President of the Greek Orthodox Community of Melbourne and Victoria, Bill Papastergiadis, the President of the Greek Orthodox Community of NSW, Harris Danalis, and many Greek organisations and academics both local and overseas.

Special mention must be made of the students from the Greek Student Association MUGA who instigated a petition in partnership with The Greek Herald which has secured up to now more than 2,500 signatures. Also, all Greek media, such as The Greek Herald, Neos Kosmos, Greek City Times, SBS Greek Radio, 2MM effectively have supported the Foundation’s campaign.