On Thursday 27 June, representatives of Goldsmiths University of London, Athens University of Economics and Business, Panteion University of Political and Social Sciences, British Council Greece, and Study in Greece, met at the premises of the British Council in Athens, to present a cutting-edge student exchange programme – outcome of the three higher education institutions’ fruitful collaboration in the framework of the UK-Greece Strategic Partnership in Education Program.
After the successful implementation of an academically rigorous summer school programme, delivered by Goldsmiths University in Athens, in collaboration with its Greek HE partners, Study in Greece, the British Council and the British Embassy in Athens (and the British Ambassador himself, HE Mathew Lodge) combining high-quality classes and fascinating cultural activities, for two consecutive years, in the summer of 2022 and 2023, the Head of the Department of Law at Goldsmiths University of London, Prof. Dimitrios Giannoulopoulos, together with his partners from Greece, Prof. Vassilis Papadakis, Vice-Rector for International Relations and Cooperation at the Athens University of Economics and Business and Prof. Olga Tsolka from Panteion University of Social and Political Sciences, are now planning to take their collaboration to the next level by beginning to design a student exchange semester abroad programme.
“Goldsmiths Law students during their visit to the Hellenic Parliament when participating in the summer school in June 2023. It is anticipated similar visits will be offered to British students studying in Panteion and AUEB as part of the proposed student exchange programme”
This programme will have the ambition to offer undergraduate students from Greek universities the opportunity to be inducted into the University of London universe, studying for one term in London, attending modules at Goldsmiths, mainly in the Law department, but also at the Institute of Management Studies and other Social Science Departments at Goldsmiths, while also given access to select modules at UCL, LSE, King’s and other leading member institutions of the University of London, as part of the intercollegiate module initiative across the University of London. To facilitate this, Goldsmiths University of London is looking into waiving tuition fees for the duration of the students’ enrolment in the programme, giving them unprecedented access to studying at the University of London, at a time when access to British HEIs has become particularly challenging due to the fee increases that followed Brexit.
From the reverse angle, the Law department at Goldsmiths will offer its LLB Law students the unique opportunity to spend a term abroad in Athens, in the final year of their LLB programme, enrolling in English-speaking (Erasmus-centred) modules in various subject areas offered by the Athens University of Economics and Business and the Panteion University of Social and Political Sciences. This outstanding experience will further enhance the distinctively cosmopolitan and professionally relevant character of the LLB programme at Goldsmiths, where career development and study abroad opportunities, such as the annual summer school in Athens and international court visit (to Strasbourg), are closely embedded in the curriculum.
In the working meeting of Thursday, June 27, Prof Giannoulopoulos, who conceived the idea for this programme, presented a detailed overview, including the cutting edge modules, internationalist curriculum and wide range of extra-curricular activities that the programme will incorporate. Aimed at providing students from both sides an intellectually stimulating and culturally immersive experience, this enriching academic offering will consist of world-class education, creative hands-on experiences, engaging coursework (which extends to students’ participation in e.g. law court simulations, advocacy skills and reflection on visits to legal institutions) and networking opportunities with various stakeholders and industry leaders in diverse fields. Greek students in London will have the chance to experience an international atmosphere that fosters academic excellence, and immerse themselves in the historical
grandeur and modern diversity of a global capital, e.g. by visiting the UK Supreme Court, Royal Courts of Justice, the Inns of Court and the House of Commons as well as boutique law firms, financial institutions, museums, technology exhibitions or by going to the theatre and attending art exhibitions even, while British students will be given the unparalleled opportunity to step into the living history of Greece, dive into the birthplace of democracy and drama, and let the Athenian vibrant culture inspire their academic pursuits.
“Goldsmiths Law students in annual visits to the UK Supreme Court and House of Commons, and participating in a debating competition – Greek students participating in this student exchange programme will benefit from all these opportunities during their stay in London”.
Prof Giannoulopoulos’ presentation motivated a productive conversation between the representatives of the three institutions who navigated all the practical details, and discussed the potential challenges. Prof Papadakis and Prof Tsolka highlighted in particular the strong foundations that already exist for this ahead-of-the-curve partnership, through the summer school collaboration with Goldsmiths over the last two years, as well as their preparedness to deliver the English speaking modules in view of existing excellence in their Erasmus programmes. The Director of the British Council, Ms Anastasia Andritsou, and Ms Katerina Fegarou, Education Marketing Manager there, have showcased from their part the British Council’s strong desire to actively support this initiative, at the design stage but also at the time that the UK students will start arriving in Greece for the programme, e.g. by offering relevant ‘welcome week’ and orientation activities.
Theodoros Papaioannou, from Study in Greece (SiG), who has played a central role in the coming together of the three partnering institutions, within the UK-Greece Strategic Partnership framework, has likewise signalled the strategic value and novel character of this emerging collaboration.
“AUEB and Goldsmiths Law signed a MoU in June 2023, in the presence of the British Ambassador, H.E. Matthew Lodge”
The first steps towards this international partnership were taken through the setting up of the summer school, that Prof Giannoulopoulos explained would not have been possible without the logistical and strategic support of SiG. The interconnections that naturally emerged from two years of running the summer school very effectively were subsequently captured in the signing of MoUs, first with AUEB (in June 2023, in a formal ceremony attended by the British
Ambassador at the British Council, H.E. Matthew Lodge), then with Panteion, in May 2024, at a smaller but equally solemn event, at Panteion, when its Vice Rector, Marianne Psilla, and Prof Giannoulopoulos, enthusiastically committed to working together towards an enhanced cooperation in the context of the summer school and the more ambitious student exchange partnership that represents the next step in this important internationalisation project for both institutions.
“Vice Rector Marianna Psilla and Prof Giannoulopoulos sign MoU at Panteion University (May 2024), in the presence of Prof Olga Tsolka and Ms Evie Lazaridou”
The programme will now be taken through quality approval across the three partnering institutions in the autumn of 2024, who have the ambition to launch it in the spring of 2025. All courses in the programme will be taught in English, and all participating students will be selected via a merit-based process, agreed by the partnering institutions based on criteria of academic excellence and engagement with curricular and extra-curricular offerings within these institutions.
“Goldsmiths Law students participating in MA in EU criminal law and policy research roundtable at Panteion, during their participation in the summer school (June 2023)”
As study exchange programme students in Athens, they will be offered access to similar research opportunities.
Offering students from the two countries an invaluable international perspective and global experience, this precious academic initiative broadens the horizon of the UK-Greece Strategic Partnership in Education – a project designed to facilitate connections, and promote enhanced collaboration between UK and Greek universities.
The British Council, the British Embassy in Athens and Study in Greece are truly delighted to see UK-Greek partnerships moving forward and bearing fruits that will strengthen and deepen the two nations’ academic and cultural ties.
