The Greek government is moving forward with plans to install surveillance cameras and controlled-access systems at the country’s largest universities following a security assessment into recurring violence and vandalism on campuses.

The study, conducted by the Center for Security Studies (KEMEA), a research body overseen by the ministry of citizen protection, maps risk levels linked to criminality and violent incidents at higher education institutions across Greece.

The initiative comes after two years of repeated disturbances, occupations and attacks targeting university facilities, including assaults on faculty members, destruction of laboratories and vandalism blamed on extremist groups operating inside campuses, mostly self-styled anarchist, anti-state and far-left groupings. Successive incidents at universities in Athens and Thessaloniki have reignited debate over security and the long-contested issue of academic asylum.

Deputy Education Minister Nikos Papaioannou said the government would proceed with the measures in accordance with existing legislation.

He said the first phase would focus on lecture halls and buildings where violent incidents have occurred most frequently. Additional surveillance systems could also be installed in laboratories housing high-value scientific equipment if requested by university administrations.

Papaioannou said procurement and installation procedures are underway but remain tied to public tender timelines and transparency requirements governing state contracts.