Thanks to the support of the Greek Community of Melbourne, in Australia, La Trobe University has committed to retain its Greek language program.
In December 2020 the broader Greek community of Melbourne, along with the Archdiocese, committed to providing additional funding and assistance to help La Trobe increase student enrolments. Since then, enrolments have increased more than 20 per cent.
La Trobe Vice-Chancellor Professor John Dewar AO said he was delighted to announce that the program will be maintained.
“With deep support and engagement from the Greek community – and an investment by the Victorian Government into scholarships for our students – we have managed to increase enrolments, making the program financially viable and ensuring its future,” Professor Dewar.
“I’m thrilled that this important program – the only one of its kind offered in Victoria – will continue to be offered at La Trobe, enabling students to study this rich and unique language.”
Professor Dewar said that Melbourne’s dynamic Greek community was instrumental in ensuring the continuation of the program.
“We are very proud of our long-standing relationship with Melbourne’s Greek community, and our active engagement with them in many ways – including through our research and custodianship of the precious Dardalis Archives, and through our world-class sporting facilities and community programs,” Professor Dewar said.
“Through this program and other Greek subjects, we offer, we are helping Greeks in Australia maintain their connection with their homeland, which is very rewarding.”
La Trobe’s Greek language program is complemented by a suite of other Greek subjects including Greek history and politics and Greek poetry and literature – all of which are offered in English.
La Trobe University will be celebrating the 40th anniversary of modern Greek language teaching at the University, with a public Twilight Event at its Melbourne campus on Saturday 5 November.
