University students and teaching staff are getting ready for the next bout of protest action against the government after the Education Ministry made public yesterday plans to introduce eight changes to postgraduate studies.

A draft bill, prepared by the Education Ministry, aims to promote cooperation between Greek universities and their foreign peers on postgraduate courses.

Proposed changes include offering more developed research programs in association with European universities and promoting the exchange of researchers in a move that will allow the Greek education system to gain from foreign know-how.

“The law for research and proposals for postgraduate studies complete our law changes in tertiary education,” said Athanassios Kiriazis, special secretary at the Education Ministry. The proposed law will also give tertiary institutions more freedom in jointly offering postgraduate studies with their foreign peers and more methods to finance their courses.

The draft bill was submitted to the National Educational Council for public discussion.

It was not clear when it is expected to be brought before lawmakers.

Hellenic Federation of University Teachers’ Associations (POSDEP) Vice President Yiannis Maistros told Kathimerini the government is attempting to catch the university community off guard with the new draft bill.

“We will proceed with a 24-hour strike when the bill is submitted (to Parliament) while our reactions will be dynamic – along with the students,” he said.