I feel proud of the extraordinary success of the University of Athens and grateful for the worthy spiritual leaders of the Institution over the years, and today for the newest Rector, Professor Gerasimos Siassos, who has made the University of Athens known worldwide with his educational initiatives.
Extroversion, innovation, international excellence were the success goals that established the University in the top 100 institutions worldwide, in 61η position in research activity and in 15η position in Europe. International collaborations, bilateral agreements with universities in 63 countries, the strengthening of English-language education programs, the overall networking of the NKUA with parallel modernization of structures and emphasis on safety, student welfare and green development, as well as the bridging of higher education with the local community, were the initiatives of the rectorate authorities, which offered this remarkable position to the NKUA worldwide.
The teaching and research staff of Greek Institutions has, moreover, been repeatedly recognized worldwide. The operation of non-state Universities in our country does not threaten public Universities, as is proven, but on the contrary keeps them on alert for further successes, provided of course that government policy appreciates the priority of public Universities and financially supports their work, as it should.
The establishment of public and free education at all levels, this achievement of the Old Man of Democracy, which gave the opportunity to study to children from every social and economic class - like the writer - remained in the history of Education in Greece. The children, who were favored by this reform, had, according to its initiator, the intellectual abilities, the divine gift, the "seal of donation", as he had characteristically said, and this gift should not remain unexploited.
The historic gift of the unforgettable and charismatic political leader to the youth of his homeland has timeless value and should remain respected and binding – dare I say it – for the shaping of educational policy by the modern leaders of Greece.
Published on STEP
photo dominickvietor, https://pixabay.com
