Highlights
- Consultation is ongoing on La Trobe’s plan to discontinue its Greek Studies program
- The University told a Greek Community delegation they will consider their arguments opposing the decision
- Thousands have signed a petition to save the language program, with support voiced across the community
Representatives from the Greek Community of Melbourne met today, Friday, with a leadership delegation from La Trobe University, which included Acting Vice-Chancellor Professor Susan Dodds to discuss the issue.
During the meeting, President of the Greek Community Bill Papastergiadis presented a series of arguments that support the continuation of the program, addressing funding issues and the add-on socioeconomic value of the language program.
Theo Markos, Dr. Nick Dallas, Spiro Papadopoulos and Jorge Menides were also members of the Greek delegation who outlined reasons favouring keeping the program functioning.
READ MORE IN GREEK
«Αγώνας δρόμου» για το Πρόγραμμα Ελληνικών Σπουδών!
Mr Papastergiadis also extended a hand of collaboration to the university on behalf of the Greek centre and the community at large in finding ways to work together during a proposed two-year deferment of the consultation period.
As it stands, according to the announcement issued by the university on 11 November, the consultation period will end on 25 November.
“We’ll get back to you,” La Trobe University’s officials told the Greek community representatives, upon conclusion of the meeting, stating they will consider the points raised.
Partaking in the talks was also the Greek Consul General in Melbourne Mr Dimitris Michalopoulos and Education Coordinator Dr Georgia Nikolaidou.
Meanwhile, mobilisation to save the Greek studies program continues, with an online petition counting more than 3,500 votes as of Friday afternoon.
Numerous community members have addressed letters to La Trobe’s leadership opposing the termination decision, while Archbishop Makarios, community organisations and politicians have also stated their support for maintaining the program
La Trobe University has flagged cutting the Hindi and Indonesian language subjects as well, in its recent announcement.
