Long TermLong Term OutlookOutlook::

Challenges and Opportunities Challenges and Opportunities

YannisYannis HajidimitriouHajidimitriou

RectorRector

University of MacedoniaUniversity of Macedonia

e-maile-mail:: hajidim@uom.gr

Jan. 15 – 16, 2011 1 Washington, D.C.

1. Take advantage and make the most of EU funding (ΕΣΠΑ – ESPA) for education, research and technology development

- Only source of research funding for at least the next 5 years

Jan. 15 – 16, 2011 2 Washington, D.C.

OOPPORTUNITIES PPORTUNITIES FFOR OR GGREEK REEK UUNIVERSITIESNIVERSITIES

2. Develop English speaking undergraduate and graduate self-financed programs and attract students from: a. Central Europe and Russiab. South – East Europec. Asia

Jan. 15 – 16, 2011 3 Washington, D.C.

2. (Continued)

Competitive Advantages of Greek Universities:

a. Lower cost of living and studying compared to most Western European countries and USA – Private colleges already attract hundreds of foreign students every year

b. Attractive location, climate and lifestyle

c. Relatively good reputation of Greek Universities in these countries

Critical Success Factor: Develop programs in fields of high demand

3. Develop partnerships with local universities in neighboring countries to cooperate in research projects and offer English speaking programs in high demand in these countries

CCHALLENGESHALLENGES FFOROR GGREEKREEK UUNIVERSITIESNIVERSITIES

Jan. 15 – 16, 2011 4 Washington, D.C.

1. Maintain the quality level of the education services Greek Universities offer, given the

a. almost 50% reduction (compared to 2009) in the funds provided by the government for operational purposes and infrastructure

b. 5 to 1 ratio established recently by the government concerning retiring administration personnel and faculty and new hires, respectively

2. Attract new faculty of high quality and maintain the highest qualified faculty, given the very low annual salaries Greek Universities currently offer after the recent salary reductions (over 20%) and the further salary reductions expected in 2011

Jan. 15 – 16, 2011 5 Washington, D.C.

3. Institutional framework reform to:

a. reduce bureaucracy and make governance of the Greek University more flexible, efficient and effective

b. enable Greek Universities to establish self-financed programs either locally for foreign students or in other countries in cooperation with foreign local universities

c. attract funds from the private sector to finance its development, its research and its international ventures

TTHANK YOUHANK YOU

FFOROR Y YOUROUR A ATTENTIONTTENTION

Jan. 15 – 16, 2011 6 Washington, D.C.