Evaluators put off university review following hostile reception
A review of Athens University by external evaluators came to an abrupt halt Tuesday after the team was targeted with threats and pelted with fruit by protesting students.
The five-member team, which is made up of Greek professors teaching at European and US institutions, was visiting the premises of the Athens Law School and the School of Positive Sciences at the time of the attack. The incident, which took place on the second day of the review, forced them to cancel a visit to the School of Philosophy.
No official statement had been issued by the university administration by the time of publication. Athens University will host a book presentation on the history of the institution Wednesday. Senior Education Ministry officials have been invited to the event.
According to sources, on Monday, evaluators had focused on the institution’s inability to keep some departments open following staff cutbacks as well as on the phenomenon of so-called “eternal students” – individuals who have been enrolled for years without graduating – which has a negative impact on evaluations.
