With strong international participation and a substantive exchange of perspectives, the Study in Greece event “Study in Greece meets Global Greece” was successfully concluded, reaffirming the central role of Greek language learning in the contemporary strategy for the internationalization of Greek Higher Education.
The participation of hundreds of attendees from across the globe – from Australia and the United States to Armenia and Argentina – highlighted the steadily increasing international interest in the Greek language and the opportunities it creates for the development of academic collaborations and the attraction of international students to Greek universities.
The presence of institutional representatives was particularly significant, underscoring the importance of the Greek language as a public policy priority, while also reaffirming the strong support of the Greek State for the work of Study in Greece and its contribution to promoting Greek language learning internationally and advancing the internationalization of Greek Higher Education. The Minister of Education, Religious Affairs and Sports, Sofia Zacharaki, presented the Ministry’s initiatives to support and promote the teaching of the Greek language internationally, emphasizing its role as a key pillar of educational policy. The Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ioannis-Michail Loverdos, highlighted the language as a timeless pillar of culture, while the Secretary General for Greeks Abroad and Public Diplomacy, Maira Myrogianni, stressed its importance as a means of maintaining and strengthening ties with the Greek Diaspora, presenting relevant initiatives of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
The participation of academics and representatives of Hellenism abroad highlighted the multifaceted potential of Greek language learning. The Greek language emerged as a tool for attracting international students, particularly in the fields of humanities and social sciences, as well as a vehicle of cultural diplomacy. Meanwhile, a strong emphasis was placed on the importance of leveraging existing Greek language teaching structures worldwide, as well as summer programs in Greece, which serve as platforms for experiential learning and strengthen participants’ connection with the country’s academic and cultural environment. Particular reference was also made to the steadily growing demand for learning Greek, not only among members of the Diaspora but also among international philhellenes.
Within this context, the strategy of Study in Greece for the internationalization of Greek Higher Education was presented, with a focus on the role of the Greek language as a catalyst for academic extroversion. The Director General of Study in Greece, Dr. Theodoros Papaioannou, underlined that the Greek language can serve as a key vector for enhancing the international presence of Greek universities, noting the increased visibility already achieved through the organization’s initiatives. The President of Study in Greece, Professor Christos Michalakelis, presented the Faros Global Community platform and its strategic expansion, aiming to develop an increasingly extensive international network for Greek language learning. The platform is funded by the ESPA 2021–2027 program.
The event demonstrated that the Greek language is a dynamic and evolving asset, capable of functioning as a bridge between Greece, the Diaspora and the international academic community, substantially contributing to the development of a more outward-looking and internationally engaged Greek higher education ecosystem.
Warm thanks are due to Elpida Oikonomidi for moderating the event, the media sponsors, both in Greece and abroad, that promoted the event. Special thanks to the Hellenic Ministry of Education, Religious Affairs and Sports and the Hellenic Ministry of Foreign Affairs for making this unique symposium possible.
