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2026-07-29 21:31 UTC → 2026-07-30 08:32 UTC ·
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In The Greek higher‑education overhaul progressed in late July 2026 the Greek Ministry 2026. After earlier reports of Education reported a shortfall of nearly 10 000 of the 62 329 seats 000‑seat shortfall for the 2026 university entrance examinations, highlighting gaps in several programmes despite capacity expansions in others. The same announcement noted a €4 billion defence procurement programme, but the education shortfall remained the primary concern. A week later Deputy Minister for National Economy exams and Finance Nikos Papathanasi announced the approval of a €48.4 €48.5 million modernisation and student‑employment programme funded by the European Structural and Investment Funds. Coordinated by the National Authority for Higher Education, the plan added 51 new actions and package that created dedicated units – Student Support, Quality Assurance, Strategic Planning, Digital Governance units and a Teaching‑and‑Learning Support Centre – across 25 at all public universities to upgrade curricula, infrastructure and digital governance universities, Deputy Minister for National Economy and to improve graduate employability by 2026. On 29 July 2026 Finance Nikos Papathanasi formally approved the inclusion of these 51 actions, confirming €48.5 added a further €12.07 million funding from under the European Social Fund (ESFA) ESFA Human Capital and Social Cohesion 2021‑2027 programme. The approval reiterates that the specialised units will be established at all public universities, with implementation running from November 2024 through July 2026. The Ten measures were approved budget is detailed to fund doctoral holders with autonomous teaching assignments at Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, University of Peloponnese, University of Piraeus, Agricultural University of Athens, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, International Hellenic University, University of Ioannina, University of West Attica, Higher School of Pedagogical and Technological Education and Higher School of Fine Arts for the 2026‑27 academic year. Additional institutions such as €48,471,560, underscoring the commitment University of Patras and Democritus University of Thrace are being incorporated, bringing the total projected ESFA‑funded budget for 2024‑25 to create 2026‑27 to about €85 million. The new funding deepens the Student Support, Quality Assurance, Strategic Planning, Digital Governance units focus on graduate employability and a Teaching‑and‑Learning Support Centre to better prepare graduates for teaching quality alongside the labour market. earlier structural reforms.