Amid the growing issues surrounding the fate of Modern Greek studies at tertiary level, the University of NSW has reported growing interest from students with continued support from the community, showing it still has life.
The topic of Modern Greek studies (and language studies more generally) at university level has been rife with concern and disappointment, though UNSW’s recent experiences highlight it is not all doom and gloom.
Dr Vassilis Adrahtas, Convenor of Greek Studies, Humanities & Language at UNSW, shed light on the current standing of Hellenic studies at their university.
Right now, four subjects are offered within the Program of Greek Studies.
They include two language subjects, Modern Greek A and Modern Greek B (both at beginner’s level), and two culture subjects, “Gods, Heroines and Heroes in Ancient Greek Myth” and “Classical Greece”.
Dr Adrahtas told Neos Kosmos that the growth in the number of students in recent years has been most encouraging.
“For years the summer term subject has had around 100-120 students, but two years ago that number reached 200 and last year it rose beyond 300,” Dr Arahtas said.
“This is an amazing development.”
He highlighted that the ‘Ancient Greek Myth’ subject is one of the most popular summer term subjects offered by UNSW, with it having attracted up to 320 students in 2024.
However, Dr Adrahtas stressed that he is more enthused about the increase in students for the language subjects.
“For years now, the language subjects did not attract jointly more than 20 students, whereas this year the number is closing up to 30,” he said.
“These numbers might look small, but they are extremely significant considering the struggle that languages undergo at universities all over the country.”
The UNSW academic attributed the boost in numbers largely to the excellent collaboration of the program’s staff with both the Foundation for Hellenic Studies UNSW and the UNSW Hellenic Society (Hellsoc UNSW).
“It is the outcome of dedicated and inspired teamwork,” he said.
The collaboration of all parties to support Modern Greek at UNSW is best shown by the fundraiser dinner they have organised for this Saturday (5 April) at Hermes Lounge in Kogarah.
The event, presented by the Foundation and Hellsoc UNSW, is another effort to aid the program by raising funds in support of it.
Dr Adrahtas said he is extremely pleased by the continued support of the Foundation, adding he is particularly grateful to the students for supporting his efforts at the university to secure and promote the presence of Greek Studies on campus.
“They have always been helpful, full of ideas, and motivating. If there is someone who can save Greek at the level of tertiary education, it is them and their love for their heritage and background,” the UNSW Academic said.
Dr Adrahtas expressed his view that there is a growing interest that needs to be cultivated, with innovative approaches also necessary to tackle the situation given the current climate.
“I believe that what we are experiencing is a kind of revitalisation, which in turn shows that there is a potential and a genuine interest in the student community to be explored, fostered and enhanced,” he said.
“At the same time, the conditions have changed at tertiary institutions, which means that the stakeholders involved from the broader Greek community must come up with a new and persuasive strategy that will aim at securing a viable future for the Greek language.”
He noted several methods he believes the wider community can assist them, such as:
– Getting involved in the Foundation
– Supporting the functions that are organised by the Program of Greek Studies (talks, seminars, symposia, workshops, conferences, etc),
– Making the cause of keeping Greek alive at Uni the number one priority of the broader Greek community
– Helping out financially as much as possible.
“We are at a crossroads, which means that we have to re-invent Greek Studies in a way that will make them as appealing as they were in the 1980s-1990s, thanks to the overall atmosphere of multiculturalism,” Dr Adrahtas said.
He illustrated that the changing atmosphere towards globalism necessitates different approaches and strategies, and he is still very hopeful that positive moves forward can be made.
“Our community does have the resources needed to address the challenge. It just needs to reach a critical mass of realisation.”
