Today, Tuesday, 30 April, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs, Georgios Kotsiras, and the President of "Study in Greece" National Agency, Christos Michalakelis, signed a Cooperation Protocol at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, aimed at linking Greece’s academic world with the Greek Diaspora and supporting the internationalization of Greek higher education. This bilateral cooperation seeks to promote Greek universities and their international programs abroad, while also fostering contacts between Greek and foreign universities for the development and implementation of joint programs and actions, as well as collaborative research.
As Deputy Minister, G. Kotsiras, stated, "Through our collaboration with “Study in Greece” Agency, we aim to strengthen the ties between Greek universities and the Greek Diaspora, providing opportunities for Diaspora and foreign students and researchers to learn more about Greek history, culture, and contemporary Greece. This cooperation supports our goal of preserving Greek identity and is part of the Ministry's Strategic Plan for Greeks Abroad. We place particular emphasis on using digital tools to more effectively disseminate information about the increasing educational and research opportunities in our country and to enhance the connection between academic communities in Greece and abroad. By supporting the internationalization of Greek universities, we enhance our country's international presence and bring the Diaspora youth closer to Greece."
On his part, Mr. Michalakelis commented that "the signing of this protocol emphatically highlights the long and outstanding collaboration between “Study in Greece” and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, further securing institutional support from the Greek state. Establishing a communication and cooperation channel between the Diaspora Greeks and philhellenes around the world with Greek universities will contribute both to the international promotion of Greek higher education and to the connection of university internationalization with the promotion of the Greek language and culture. The strategic partnership between “Study in Greece” and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs ensures the sustainability of outward-looking activities and significantly upgrades the Greek universities’ efforts to achieve a prominent position on the global academic map.
As stipulated in the Cooperation Protocol, "Study in Greece" Agency, in collaboration with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, will contribute to the promotion of Greek universities and their international programs through the creation of digital promotional material and the utilization of digital platforms developed by "Study in Greece" to support the internationalization of university level education. There will be an emphasis on networking among Greek and philhellene scientists abroad, and a special focus on linking Centers for Greek Studies worldwide.
Additionally, summer and winter educational programs are to be organized, with a particular emphasis on the Greek Diaspora. These include online and in-person classes in Greek language, history, and culture, in collaboration with interested Greek universities.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs will leverage its Public Diplomacy Offices and Missions Abroad as well as the Diaspora associations and networks to promote these programs and enhance the broader exposure of Greek universities.
April 30, 2024