University of Crete

University of Crete
Πανεπιστήμιο Κρήτης
Established 1973
Rector Odysseas Zoras
Academic staff
 548
Administrative staff
 420
Undergraduates 16,000
Postgraduates 2,500
Location Rethymnon and Heraklion, island of Crete, Greece
Campus Voutes-Heraklion, Galos-Rethymnon
Affiliations FORTH
Website http://www.uoc.gr

The University of Crete (UoC; Greek: Πανεπιστήμιο Κρήτης) is a multi-disciplinary, research-oriented institution in the island of Crete, Greece, located in the cities of Rethymnon (official seat) and Heraklion, and one of the country's most academically acclaimed and reputable ones.[1] [2] [3]

There are 16 main undergraduate degree programmes corresponding to the University’s Departments and more than 30 Masters programs. As of 2017, there is a student population of 16.000 registered undergraduates and 2.500 registered postgraduates, more than 500 Faculty members as well as approximately 420 administrative staff.[4] [5]

The University ranked 58th in The Times Higher Education (THE) 2017 list of the top 100 universities founded in the past 50 years.[6] [7]


Overview

The University of Crete was established in 1973 and started functioning in the academic year 1977-78.[8]

As all Universities in Greece, it is a public university and as such it operates under the supervision of the State and all its educational activities, as well as a part of its research activities, rely upon government funding. The supreme administrative body of the University is the senate, which is presided over by the Rector of the University. The Head of the University is the Rector who is assisted by three Vice-Rectors in the exercise of his duties; all four together form the institution's high authority. They are elected for a period of four years by the teaching staff and representatives of the student body.

Although still very young, the University of Crete has already shown its commitment in the evolving process of European integration, and it operates as an integral member of the European Research and Education Areas. It is currently coordinating and participating in European Union programs and activities such as ERASMUS, LINGUA, TEMPUS etc. and has important links and cooperations with other Mediterranean and Eastern European countries as well as with many American universities and colleges, through international Programs.

The University encourages active participation in cultural and athletic activities. The student union also operates a radio station.[9] [10] [11]

Emblem of University of Crete

The emblem of University of Crete is based on a Hellenistic coin found in Gortyn (430-300 B.B.) and depicts Europa in reflecting stance while sitting on olive tree branches. The emblem was designed in a medal by the sculptor Aspasia Papadoperaki.[12]

Faculties and Departments

Skinakas Observatory on the Mount Ida: research facility of the University of Crete and the Foundation for Research & Technology – Hellas

The University has sixteen Departments organised in five Schools according to related disciplines.[13]

Its two campuses are located near two towns on the north coast of the island, Galos in Rethymnon and Voutes in Heraklion.[14] [15]

Schools Departments
School of Philosophy [16]

(Rethymnon)
School of Social, Economic and Political Sciences [17]

(Rethymnon)
School of Education [18]

(Rethymnon)
School of Science and Engineering [19]

(Heraklion)
School of Medicine [20]

(Heraklion)

Research

The University of Crete is well known both nationally and internationally for its state of the art research and graduate programmes.[21] [22] [23]

It is considered one of the best universities in Greece mainly due to its research influence: it ranks in the top 400 Universities of the World by The Times Higher Education list, and also in the top 100 universities under 50 years by the QS World University Rankings.[2] [3] It is notable that it achieves this distinction although it has less than 30% of the faculty members in comparison to larger academic institutions in Greece.

On several research topics the University of Crete collaborates closely with FO.R.T.H. The Natural History Museum of Crete, established in 1981 at Heraklion, is also part of the University of Crete.[24]

Academic evaluation

An external evaluation of all academic departments in Greek universities was conducted by the Hellenic Quality Assurance and Accreditation Agency (HQAA) in the years 2008-2014 and, according to these results, the University of Crete, was characterized as a "Center of Excellence".[25]

In 2016 the external evaluation of the institution cited University of Crete as Worthy of merit.[26]

The reports are publicly available.[27] [28]

See also

References

  1. ↑ "University of Crete - University Rankings" (in Greek). www.uoc.gr. 2017-09-01.
  2. 1 2 "THE World University Rankings - University of Crete". Times Higher Education (THE). 2017-09-01.
  3. 1 2 "QS World University Rankings - University of Crete". QS World University Rankings. 2017-09-01.
  4. ↑ Hellenic Statistical Authority (EL.STAT.), Report on Higher Education - Students, Institutes and Faculty Staff (2013/2014), press release, November 2015 (greek)
  5. ↑ "University of Crete - Facts and Figures". University of Crete. Retrieved 2016-01-09.
  6. ↑ "THE Top 100 Young Universities - University of Crete" (PDF). www.uoc.gr. 2017-08-28.
  7. ↑ "University of Crete in THE list of top 100 universities under 50 years". www.kathimerini.gr. 2014-05-01.
  8. ↑ "History of the University of Crete". www.uoc.gr. 2016-08-28.
  9. ↑ "University of Crete - Culture" (in Greek). www.uoc.gr. 2017-08-28.
  10. ↑ "University of Crete - Athletics" (in Greek). www.uoc.gr. 2017-08-28.
  11. ↑ "UOC Radio - 96.7" (in Greek). www.uoc.gr. 2017-08-28.
  12. ↑ "University of Crete Emblem - Europa" (in Greek). www.uoc.gr. 2017-08-28.
  13. ↑ "Schools and Departments". University of Crete. Retrieved 2016-01-09.
  14. ↑ "UoC Campus in Rethymnon". University of Crete. Retrieved 2017-01-09.
  15. ↑ "UoC Campus in Rethymnon". University of Crete. Retrieved 2017-01-09.
  16. ↑ "University of Crete, School of Philosophy". University of Crete. Retrieved 2016-01-09.
  17. ↑ "University of Crete, School of Social, Economic & Political Sciences". University of Crete. Retrieved 2016-01-09.
  18. ↑ "University of Crete, School of Education". University of Crete. Retrieved 2016-01-09.
  19. ↑ "University of Crete, School of Sciences and Engineering". University of Crete. Retrieved 2016-01-09.
  20. ↑ "University of Crete, School of Medicine". University of Crete. Retrieved 2016-01-09.
  21. ↑ "University of Crete - Research Activities". www.uoc.gr. 2016-08-28.
  22. ↑ "Τα Νέα" article, 12 Feb 2009
  23. ↑ "Οι πρώτοι αξιολογητές στο Πανεπιστήμιο" Newspaper "Πατρίς", 20 Jan 2009
  24. ↑ The Natural History Museum of Crete, Yale Peabody Museum of Natural History, The Biodiversity of Crete at the Yale Peabody Museum
  25. ↑ Hellenic Quality Assurance and Accreditation Agency
  26. ↑ "University of Crete - External Evaluation Report of Institution". www.adip.gr. 2015. "Overall, the external evaluation committee was impressed by the commitment to excellence permeating all levels of the institution. For a relatively new university, UoC has made remarkable achievements in the Greek academic world and beyond."
  27. ↑ "University of Crete - External Evaluation Reports 2008-2014" (in Greek). UoC Internal Quality Assurance Unit. 2014-07-05.
  28. ↑ "University of Crete - External Evaluation Institutional Report". UoC Internal Quality Assurance Unit. 2014-07-05.

Coordinates: 35°18′25″N 25°04′55″E / 35.3070°N 25.0820°E / 35.3070; 25.0820

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