When will the Faculty of Tourism be established at the Ionian University?
Ionian University
22 Mar 2018
/ 10:07
ATHENS.There may not be a strict deadline but that doesn’t mean that there is no limit to the amount of time available for the consolidation of the Ionian University with the Ionian Islands Technological Educational Institute (TEI)!
The Ionian University and the Ionian TEI are trying to strike a balance between satisfying local communities and strengthening scholarship as they work towards their consolidation. The most recent meeting took place on Tuesday 20th March with the Minister of Education, Kostas Gavroglos, the Dean of the Ionian University, Vassilis Chrisikopoulos, and the President of the Ionian Islands TEI, Yiannis Dragonas.
According to university sources, the obstacles are the TEI colleges in Lixouri (Cephalonia) and Lefkada and how sustainable they are – something that was also mentioned in the report of the committee set up to look into the consolidation of the two regional tertiary educational institutions. One of the proposals is that the consolidation be done in stages, which Lefkada and Cephalonia are sceptical about – if something isn’t included from the outset then there lies the danger that it becomes a victim to circumstances and the re-establishment of departments and schools is relegated. Something especially true given the political circumstances and Greek procrastination!
According to the Ministry of Education, however, the only pending matter is the Ministry’s proposal for the upgrading of the Faculty of Music and Audiovisual Arts at the Ionian University (and the structure of the Lixouri TEI).
The Dean of the Ionian University, Vassilis Chrisikopoulos, told Enimerosi that the Ministry considers the establishment of a Tourism Faculty as an integral part of the consolidation of the University with the TEI. “We and Ioannina are the best-prepared in this regard,” he said. “Our proposal for a Tourism Faculty has already been prepared and is available to the Ministry. We aim to reinforce it with Information Technology and the cutting edge of innovative applications, which will give the faculty its own distinct quality. There has recently been a similar proposal from Rethymnon and there is undoubtedly academic competition – a challenge to which we need to rise!”
As things stand, there is no time barrier for the legislation for the new Ionian academic institution. So it seems that the Faculty of Tourism will probably start functioning in the academic year beginning in 2019. 2019 is an election year, meaning political developments – which will undoubtedly influence the procedure.
According to university sources, the obstacles are the TEI colleges in Lixouri (Cephalonia) and Lefkada and how sustainable they are – something that was also mentioned in the report of the committee set up to look into the consolidation of the two regional tertiary educational institutions. One of the proposals is that the consolidation be done in stages, which Lefkada and Cephalonia are sceptical about – if something isn’t included from the outset then there lies the danger that it becomes a victim to circumstances and the re-establishment of departments and schools is relegated. Something especially true given the political circumstances and Greek procrastination!
According to the Ministry of Education, however, the only pending matter is the Ministry’s proposal for the upgrading of the Faculty of Music and Audiovisual Arts at the Ionian University (and the structure of the Lixouri TEI).
The Dean of the Ionian University, Vassilis Chrisikopoulos, told Enimerosi that the Ministry considers the establishment of a Tourism Faculty as an integral part of the consolidation of the University with the TEI. “We and Ioannina are the best-prepared in this regard,” he said. “Our proposal for a Tourism Faculty has already been prepared and is available to the Ministry. We aim to reinforce it with Information Technology and the cutting edge of innovative applications, which will give the faculty its own distinct quality. There has recently been a similar proposal from Rethymnon and there is undoubtedly academic competition – a challenge to which we need to rise!”
As things stand, there is no time barrier for the legislation for the new Ionian academic institution. So it seems that the Faculty of Tourism will probably start functioning in the academic year beginning in 2019. 2019 is an election year, meaning political developments – which will undoubtedly influence the procedure.
