The initiatives of the Ministry of Education on student residences and student care, the implementation of the new security framework at universities, the extroversion of universities and the Panhellenic Examinations, were among other things mentioned by the Minister of Education, Religious Affairs and Sports, Sophia Zacharaki, in an interview with ERT radio earlier today, Thursday.

More specifically, regarding student halls of residence, Ms. Zacharaki stressed that the ministry, in cooperation with universities and “with the allocation of significant resources from various financial instruments”, is implementing a broad programme of renovations and upgrades of existing halls of residence, while new modern halls of residence are being constructed throughout the country using the PPP method.

“The target we have set and are implementing is to add an additional 10,000 new beds over the next five years by building new hostels and fully utilising the existing infrastructure,” the minister said, adding: “I firmly believe that the next five years will be years of decisive support and development of student halls of residence because renovation projects are already underway, and we have included a very significant amount after six months of hard work with the European Commission in the Social Climate Fund. 220 million for tenders that will run in the coming months. For energy and operational upgrading of a further 18 student halls of residence. At the same time, new dormitories are progressing through PPPs e.g. in Crete, Western Macedonia and Thessaly.”

More specifically, regarding the creation of student halls of residence through the Private-Public Partnerships, the total number of places in the halls of residence will reach 8.609, and the total budget amounts to 737,500,000 euros.

Specifically:

1. Two new complexes will be created at the University of Crete: in Rethymnon they will cover an additional 2,710 students. In Heraklion they will cover 2,136 students

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2. Two student residence complexes will also be created at the University of Thessaly: in Volos an additional 640 students will be accommodated and in Lamia 123 students

3. Two complexes will be created at the Democritus University of Thrace: in Alexandroupoli for 350 students and Komotini also for 350 students

4. Four complexes will be created at the University of Western Macedonia: Kozani for 350 students, Florina for 150, Kastoria for 150 and Ptolemaida for 100 beneficiary students

5. University of West Attica Total 1100 beneficiary students

6. The renovation of the student residence of the National Technical University of Athens will cover 450 beneficiary students.

The Education Minister reiterated that the government is “investing strategically” in the transformation of Greece into a regional hub of education, through the internationalisation of Greek universities, joint and dual postgraduate programmes with leading institutions abroad and the strengthening of the extroversion of higher education institutions.

Referring to the latest incidents of violence at universities, Ms Zacharaki noted that they were “few and isolated”, making it clear, however, that “tolerance of even one incident in a year does not exist” and said that from July 2025, “the strictest framework of sanctions for criminal acts within universities to date” will be applied, and that the implementation of security plans, controlled entry and electronic student cards is progressing.

Ahead of the Panhellenic Examinations, Sophia Zacharaki assured that everything is ready for their smooth conduct, noting that preparations begin immediately after the completion of the examinations each year.

Ms. Zacharaki also announced that from 2026, live streaming teaching will be extended to the first and second grades of high school, while Artificial Intelligence will be used through a digital personal assistant for personalized support of students.