In 2013, aiming to prevent the closure of the University under the Athina Plan, the Municipality of Kozani—with the author acting as coordinator and rapporteur in his capacity as President of the Kozani Municipal Council— had prepared a Memorandum [1] substantiating why Higher Education in Western Macedonia should not be downsized. At the time, there was an extraordinary session of the Kozani Municipal Council [2] and a mobilisation in the central square of Kozani. This Memorandum had been sent to Parliament and to our representatives in the Hellenic Parliament at the time, and it concerned the whole of Western Macedonia.
It is my profound belief that back then we provided the necessary substantiation, in terms of development, for the preservation of Higher Education in Western Macedonia. These terms concerned the support of Regional Development and the broader role played by Higher Education. At that time, the self-serving ambitions of individuals seeking the abolition of the University were isolated. It was the only document that set out the region’s positions regarding Western Macedonia.
Today, the new challenge of merging to create a unified Higher Education Institution is historic. And to this, those who envision the progress and future of our region must respond positively. We must build upon what is coming with trust, not only in the Academic Community but in all those who have the spirit to contribute, combining international developments with the objectives that the New University Institution ought to have.
We owe this to the next generation.
[1] Substantiation of positions and views on the Athina Plan towards strong and self-governing academic structures in Western Macedonia by the Municipality of Kozani
[2] Actions as seen through the blog mavromatidis.gr…