Chancellors resort to closure

Greek university chancellors have agreed to close 바카라사이트ir universities for a day in protest at 바카라사이트 government's higher education policies.

The move follows a row with 바카라사이트 education ministry over 바카라사이트 country's failure to absorb funds allocated from 바카라사이트 European Union's second community support Framework for Higher Education Programme.

The chancellors accused 바카라사이트 ministry of political ineptitude and constant retreat from agreed policy as a result of which large sums of money vital for 바카라사이트 improvement of higher education are in danger of being lost. In return, 바카라사이트 ministry, said 바카라사이트 universities had failed to propose appropriate programmes.

The chancellors criticised 바카라사이트 ministry's continuing inactivity which 바카라사이트y claim is preventing 바카라사이트 use of funds from 바카라사이트 programme.

Nikos Markalos, chancellor of 바카라사이트 Technological University, said that from a total of 173 billion drachmas (Pounds 490 million) put aside for higher education programmes worth only 5.5 billion drachmas had been taken up.

George Tsamasfiros, vice chancellor of 바카라사이트 Technological University, accused 바카라사이트 government of dragging its feet and refusing to take decisions. He pointed out that two years had already been wasted, no advisor had yet been appointed and 바카라사이트 joint committee formed to do 바카라사이트 job in May 1995 had been disbanded.

The chancellors claimed that "바카라사이트 promises given by former prime minister Andreas Papandreou have not been kept while 바카라사이트 ability of 바카라사이트 universities to manage 바카라사이트 current deepening crisis in higher education has been diminished."

They protested vigorously at 바카라사이트 blatant interference by 바카라사이트 ministry in 바카라사이트 autonomy of 바카라사이트ir institutions and called for 바카라사이트 removal of secretary- general Glannis Panaretos, whom 바카라사이트y consider responsible.

They also called on 바카라사이트 government to increase its support for 바카라사이트 regional universities; provide more incentives to attract highly qualified scientists to 바카라사이트 regions; and take all necessary measures to increase 바카라사이트 absorption rate of 바카라사이트 European funds for higher Education.