On the occasion of International Greek Language Day, annually celebrated on February 9, an award ceremony was held at the impressive newly reconstructed Arts Precinct of Macquarie University in Sydney Australia where successful students were awarded their respective certificates of attainment in the Greek Language.
Dr Patricia Koromvokis, Lecturer in Modern Greek Studies at the Department of Media, Communication, Creative Arts, Languages and Cultures and Head of the Examination Centre for the Greek Language Certificate warmly congratulated the successful recipients and acknowledged their achievement which made their teachers, their schools and their families proud.
More specifically, Dr Koromvokis pointed out: ‘They are the ones who prove the value of the Greek language in the diaspora. Studying a language is a journey that requires passion and devotion. Being a full-time student with all the extracurricular activities and at the same time studying a language at a level to give international exams is an amazing accomplishment. So today we celebrate your effort and success!’.
Approximately 170 people attended the successful event; the Certificate recipients with their families, Greek language teachers and Heads of Languages of NSW schools and representatives of community organisations, and the Greek community media. Among the distinguished guests were His Grace Bishop Bartholomew of Charioupolis representing His Eminence Archbishop Makarios of Australia, the Very Reverend Archimandrite of the Ecumenical Throne Fr Christophoros Krikelis, Chancellor of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of Australia, the Consul General of Greece in Sydney, Mr Yiannis Mallikourtis, Ms Sophie Cotsis, MP, Member of Canterbury and Macquarie University Alumni, Professor Hsu-Ming Teo, Head of the Department Media, Communications, Creative Arts, Language and Literature, Dr Jane Hanley, Chair of Discipline of Languages and Cultures, the President of the Macquarie Greek Studies Foundation Ltd., Mr Theophilos Premetis, the President of the AHEPA NSW, Mr Bill Skandalakis, and the Chief Executive Officer NSW Federation of Community Language Schools, Mr Michael Christodoulou. The Minister of Education and Religious Affairs, Greece, Niki Kerameus, and the President of the Centre for Greek Language, IN Greece Emeritus Professor of the Philology Department of the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Theodoros Papaggelis, delivered their messages via video.
The event was fully funded by the Macquarie Greek Studies Foundation.
In the Exams for the Certificate of Attainment 2022 that took place at Macquarie University, the success rate was 88% of the overall number of participants, an excellent outcome in comparison to the global data. The Certificate of Attainment in the Greek Language is a globally recognized title that proves the level of proficiency of its holder in the market and is considered a prerequisite for the practice of various professions in Greece. The registrations for the Exams for the Certificate of Attainment in Greek 2023, which is conducted under the auspices of Macquarie University, are now taking place. For more information: https://www.mq.edu.au/faculty-of-arts/departments-and-schools/department-of-media-communications-creative-arts-language-and-literature/events-images/partner-language-centres/greek-language-examination-centre
