In celebration of International Greek Language Day on 9 February, Sydney saw approximately 170 people attend the Award Ceremony of the Certificates of Attainment in the Greek language for 2022.
The event took place at the newly reconstructed Arts Precinct of Macquarie University, in the presence of students, educators, diplomats, journalists, alongside community and state officials as well as members of the clergy.
This year Macquarie celebrated a 88 per cent success rate compared to the overall number of participants, an impressive outcome against global data.
Dr Patricia Koromvokis, Lecturer in Modern Greek Studies at the Department of Media, Communication, Creative Arts, Languages and Cultures and Head of the Examination Centre for the Greek Language Certificate warmly congratulated the successful recipients and acknowledged their achievement.
“They are the ones who prove the value of the Greek language in the diaspora,” said Dr Koromvokis, adding that “studying a language is a journey that requires passion and devotion”.
“Being a full-time student with all the extracurricular activities and at the same time studying a language at a level to give international exams is an amazing accomplishment. So today we celebrate your effort and success!” she said.
The recipients were also congratulated by Bishop Bartholomew of Charioupolis representing Archbishop Makarios; Ecumenical Archimandrite and Chancellor of the Archdiocese of Australia, Christophoros Krikelis; the Consul General of Greece in Sydney, Yiannis Mallikourtis; Sophie Cotsis, MP; Member of Canterbury and Macquarie University Alumni, Professor Hsu-Ming Teo; Head of the Department Media, Communications, Creative Arts, Language and Literature Dr Jane Hanley; Chair of Discipline of Languages and Cultures, the President of the Macquarie Greek Studies Foundation Ltd., Mr Theophilos Premetis; the President of the AHEPA NSW, Mr Bill Skandalakis; and the Chief Executive Officer NSW Federation of Community Language Schools, Mr Michael Christodoulou.
Greece’s Minister of Education and Religious Affairs Niki Kerameus and the President of the Centre for Greek Language in Greece Emeritus Professor of the Philology Department of the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki Theodoros Papaggelis, delivered their messages via video.
The Certificate of Attainment in the Greek Language is a globally recognised title that proves the level of proficiency of its holder in the market and is considered a prerequisite for the practice of various professions in Greece.
Registrations for the Exams for the Certificate of Attainment in Greek 2023, which is conducted under the auspices of Macquarie University, are now open.
Find out more here.
