The Greek University Stranded in the Policy of Establishing Regional Universities

Abstract

The paper examines the policy implemented when it comes to establishing regional universities in a developed, yet semi-peripheral, EU country (i.e. Greece) and focuses on two central issues: whether regional universities contribute to local development and whether their location in the periphery harnessed their academic performance. The establishment of regional universities has become a widely used practice for facilitating regional development throughout the developed world, and the university's third role is quite widely accepted. The paper does not intend to question the policy of establishing regional universities itself, but rather the way these universities were established in Greece (as a case of a semi-peripheral regime) and possibly in other countries that are not in the forefront of international research. Regional universities in Greece were often established for clientelistic reasons; however, they do contribute in advancing local economic growth. These positive effects on the locality are often accompanied by a high cost for the Greek university and society itself, in the sense that regional universities have often been forced to operate under difficult conditions, thus undermining their fundamental mission (educational but primarily research).

Notes

Available at http://www.proinno-europe.eu/admin/uploaded_documents/European_Innovation_Scoreboard_2007.pdf (accessed 21 May 2008).

Politics have never ceased to have the upper hand in determining the rules governing the everyday operation of the economy, and the market has never become relatively autonomous from politics. Thus, political criteria, operating within the network of political patronage and clientelism, not only distort the economy but also play a very important role in the distribution of wealth (Tsoulouvis, 1987). The fact that some businessmen can make money by non-economic means impedes attempts to improve the competitiveness of the economy and also creates a climate of uncertainty among potential investors. Moreover, it prohibits effective planning policy at all levels.

National Statistical Service of Greece (NSSG). Available at http://www.statistics.gr/gr_tables/S806_3B_TB_AN_07_2_1_E_Y.pdf (accessed 26 February 2009).