The start of the academic year on Monday will put to the test a recently adopted law which introduces the assessment of university staff and bans students that have overstretched their stay.

The law, opposed by many in the university community, was approved by lawmakers at the start of summer but academics argue that its implementation will be difficult.

“A new reality awaits us, where dysfunctions of the new law will appear. Of course... we will implement the laws even if some of us have spoken out against the essence of the changes,” said Stavros Koumpias, dean at the University of Patras, told Kathimerini.

Based on Education Ministry estimates for the 2006-2007 period, there are an estimated 250,000 tertiary students who have been enrolled in courses for well over the four-year period required to complete the studies.

There are a total of 626,000 students across Greece.

The deans will meet with recently appointed Education Minister Evripidis Stylianidis on Wednesday.