University of Crete

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University of Crete
Πανεπιστήμιο Κρήτης


Established:	1973
Staff:	544
Undergraduates:	11,011
Postgraduates:	2,130
Location:	Rethymnon and Heraklion, Crete, Greece
Campus:	Voutes, Galos, Knossos
Affiliations:	FO.R.T.H [1]
Website:	http://www.uoc.gr

The University of Crete (UOC) is the principal higher education institution on the island of Crete, Greece.

The University of Crete, is a multi-disciplinary, research- oriented institution, located in the cities of Rethymnon and Heraklion. It is a University with a well-known reputation both nationally and internationally for its state-of-the art curricula and graduate programmes. In addition, the University has developed considerable research activity and has undertaken innovative initiatives that reflect its dynamic. The University was established in 1973 and started functioning in the academic year 1977-78. As a higher education institution, it is a legal person of public law, i.e. it operates under the supervision of the State. The seat of the University is in Rethymnon.

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 three years by the teaching staff and representatives of the student body. The current rector is Dr. Ioannis Pallikaris.

The University of Crete has 13,141 students (11,011 at the undergraduate level and 2,130 at the postgraduate level), more than 900 Faculty members and researchers as well as approximately 240 administrative staff, in Schools and their Departments in the cities of Rethymnon and Heraklion. On several research topics the University of Crete works together with FO.R.T.H.

At Rethymnon, the School of Letters comprises the Departments of History, Archaeology, Philosophy and Social Studies, and Philology. The School of Social Sciences comprises the Departments of Economics, Psychology, Sociology and Political Sciences whilst the School of Education comprises the Departments of Primary Education and Pre-Primary Education.

At Heraklion, the School of Sciences and Engineering includes the Departments of Biology, Chemistry, Computer Science, Mathematics, Applied Mathematics, Materials Science and Technology, and Physics, while the School of Health Sciences includes the faculty of Medicine. The Natural History Museum of Crete, at Heraklion, is also part of the University of Crete.

Although still very young, the University of Crete has already shown its commitment in the evolving European process. 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 U.S. Universities and Colleges, through international Programs.

The student union also operates a radio station [2].