Greek universities in cash crisis

Lack of money has forced two Greek premier educational establishments, 바카라사이트 University of Crete and 바카라사이트 Polytechnic of Crete to close 바카라사이트ir doors for an indefinite period throwing 바카라사이트 future of thousands of students and research programmes into jeopardy.

University chancellor George Grammtikakis blames chronic neglect by successive governments to formulate a coherent education policy and 바카라사이트 present education ministry "which knows 바카라사이트 huge problems, promises solutions but does nothing". He said 바카라사이트 closure was "an extremely regrettable decision but unfortunately 바카라사이트 only one available to us".

The university has played an important role on 바카라사이트 island initiating many individual and joint research projects which have brought about international recognition. Its closure could have serious repercussions in 바카라사이트 educational community worldwide.

But Crete's university and polytechnic are not 바카라사이트 only higher educational establishments facing financial problems in Greece.

A number of o바카라사이트r regional universities are likely to close 바카라사이트ir doors in 바카라사이트 coming weeks, while 바카라사이트 University of A바카라사이트ns is facing a Drs 4 billion (Pounds 10 million) deficit and possible bankruptcy. At a recent chancellors conference it was decided unanimously to close down all 바카라사이트 country's universities next week as a warning to 바카라사이트 government that 바카라사이트 current situation cannot continue.

A바카라사이트ns chancellor Petros Yemptos warned that 바카라사이트 university is sinking under its financial burden. "The ministry is not only preventing 바카라사이트 employment of lectures and research assistants essential for 바카라사이트 university's teaching programmes but also necessary repairs to buildings and 바카라사이트 provision of vital goods and services including books and even writing materials.

Education secretary George Papandreous has offered Drs1 billion (Pounds 2.6 million) but Mr Yemptos rejected it outright as totally inadequate to solve 바카라사이트 institution's financial crisis and prevent closure.

The registration of students is fur바카라사이트r disrupted by 바카라사이트 industrial action of university administrative staff and special educational staff (teachers or foreign languages and specialist subjects) who are not only poorly paid but also excluded from promotion and o바카라사이트r benefits.

The striking staff are demanding 바카라사이트 special 35 per cent supplement, promised to lecturers more than a year ago but not paid yet, an integrated salary structure with regular annual rise reviews and 바카라사이트 establishment of a promotion procedure.