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The protracted dispute between the Greek government and the universities has ended with an undisclosed pay rise for lecturers and a pre-election promise from the ruling Pasok party that the problems of ÖйúAƬ will be seen more favourably should it be returned to office.

George Papandreou, the education secretary, submitted draft legislation on raising student numbers and founding an Open University on the British lines to parliament shortly before its closure for the general election on September 22.

The move was dismissed as "pre-election pyrotechnics" by the opposition political parties and as unrealistic by students and teachers because it was not accompanied by an increase in funding.

Universities closed last spring, causing hardship and uncertainty for thousands of students.