Students protest in Gümülcine over university funding and rising study costs
University students staged a protest in Gümülcine (Komotini) on Thursday, 5 November, calling for stronger public funding, improved student accommodation and free access to essential university services. They say inadequate financial support and rising living costs are making higher education increasingly difficult to afford.
Students took to the streets of Gümülcine on Thursday, 5 November, continuing the nationwide education protests held on 21 October and demanding stronger public funding and free education.
The demonstrators called for better student welfare, lower study-related expenses and improved living conditions, arguing that universities must be adequately funded to meet students' needs.
During the protest, students highlighted what they described as severe funding shortages at universities, inadequate accommodation facilities and high transportation costs.
They particularly criticised the limited capacity of student residences at Democritus University of Thrace (DUTH), which reportedly accommodate only 9% of the university's student population. They also pointed to poor living conditions in existing dormitories.
The protesters argued that student demonstrations in Greece and across Europe show that improvements are possible through collective organisation and mobilisation. They criticised policies they said prioritise profit and military spending over social needs.
STUDENTS DEMAND EXPANSION OF UNIVERSITY ACCOMMODATION
A central demand was increased state funding for higher education, alongside additional emergency funding for Democritus University of Thrace to address students' immediate needs.
Students called for the renovation and expansion of existing university residences, as well as the use of university-owned and public property to establish additional publicly funded accommodation.
They also demanded an increase in housing allowances, broader eligibility for financial support, the removal of academic performance requirements and higher income thresholds for beneficiaries.
FREE TRANSPORT, MEALS AND STUDY MATERIALS
The protesters also outlined a series of demands aimed at reducing the cost of university life.
These include:
- Free transportation for all students between their homes, university departments and student residences.
- Free, high-quality meals at all university dining facilities.
- Additional university funding to cover essential materials and supplies across all departments.
- Lower prices at university cafeterias.
- Free internet access for all students.
- The abolition of municipal fees on properties rented by students.
- An end to the deletion of students from university registers under academic time-limit regulations.
CALL FOR A STRONGER PUBLIC UNIVERSITY
Beyond immediate financial assistance, students called for a publicly funded university system that guarantees access to education without imposing excessive financial burdens.
They also stressed the need for recognised and valuable degrees, modern academic programmes and secure employment rights after graduation.
The mobilisation reflects broader student concerns over the affordability of higher education, accommodation shortages and the adequacy of public support for university students in Greece.
