University of Patras

Infobox_University
name =University of Patras
native_name =Πανεπιστήμιο Πατρών
latin_name =


motto =
established =November 11, 1964
type =Public
endowment =
staff =754 faculty members, 238 teaching staff, 481 administrative personnel
faculty =
president =
provost =
principal =
rector =Stavros A. Koubias
chancellor =
vice_chancellor =
dean =
head_label =
head =
students =24460
undergrad =21200
postgrad =3260
doctoral =
city =Patras
state =
country =Greece
campus =Rion campus, 7 kilometres East of the city of Patras
free_label =
free =
colors =
colours =
mascot =
nickname =
affiliations =
website = [http://www.upatras.gr www.upatras.gr]

University of Patras (Greek: Πανεπιστήμιο Πατρών "Panepistimio Patron") is a Greek university established in 1964 located 7 km northeast of downtown Patras, 3 km S of the Rio-Antirio bridge, 206 km W of Athens, 106 km NE of Pyrgos and 2 km east of Rhio, Greece. The university is the third largest in Greece and covers an area of 600 acres (2.4 km²). The University of Patras has an international reputationFact|date=August 2008 for quality and innovative research and participates effectivelyFact|date=August 2008 in a plethora of research projects, scientific organizations, and research groups. Several Departments, Laboratories and Clinics have been designated as Centers of Excellence, on the basis of international assessment.Fact|date=August 2008

The university contains:

*Academic areas (1 northwest)
*Polytechnic schools (central)
*School of Economic Sciences (south-central)
*School of Medicine
*School of Sciences (1 central, western and southern part)
*University office (south and west)

In particular it comprises 5 faculties and 22 departments.It also contains the dancing and the theatrical teams/societies.

Until September 2002, it was the only university in the Peloponnese and Western Greece with the exception of Epirus.

The university is accessible by GR-8A, and now the new bypass (perimeter highway) with an interchange in the west and a westbound interchange in the northeast, the old GR8 and Papandreou Avenue (Boulevard) linking Kastritsi and the Panachaicus. The elevation is around 50 m (150 ft) above sea level.

The campus has 4 entrances, they are the Platonos Entrance "Eisodos Platonos", the Dionysios Solomos Entrance "Eisodos Dionysiou Solomou", lying to the west next to Papandreou Avenue which is also a road linking to Kastritsi, Georgios Seferis Entrance "Eisodos Georgios Seferis" in the east and G. Ritsou Entrance "Eisodos G. Ritsou" with the old GR-8A (Patras - Corinth - Athens) in the north.The mountains are situated in the southeast. The track and field and sporting grounds are in the southern part.

The facilities lie in the western part, the central part and the northern part. Some schools and colleges are in this part. The far western part, and the eastern part are empty.

Nearby the university property is the Rio Regional Hospital which is situated in the northeast. The parking lots are in the east and the building lie to the west. The School of Medicine lie west of the hospital but smaller in size with the parking lots in the west and downtown Rio, and a river with Papandreou Avenue in its southwest. The Rio/University of Patras/Drepano (northbound) interchange is to the north.

History

The University of Patras was founded in the city of Patras in 1964 and it began functioning in the academic year 1966-67. Its establishment greatly contributed to the decentralization of academic education in Greece.Fact|date=August 2008

It was established primarily with the intention to concentrate on science, technology, economics, business administration and social sciences. In the proposal for a new University, which was the result of an International Conference in August 1964, it is stated that the role of the University of Patras is to set an example of a highly qualified Institution of higher learning and serve as a stimulus for the modernisation of the entire Greek higher education system.

Priority was given to the fields where highly trained personnel will be needed for the realisation of the economic development of the country. The above objectives had, in the course of time, to be adapted to new prospects arising from the recognition of the role of knowledge and technology in social and cultural growth and the contribution the University is expected to make towards solving major regional, national and even international problems.

It is the third largest University in the country and the fastest growing oneFact|date=August 2008, with 18,500 undergraduate students, 2000 post-graduate students, 670 teaching staff, 369 administrative personnel and 403 teaching and research assistants. The initial emphasis on science and technology has been extended to other academic areas such as health sciences and humanities. Today, its twenty-two Departments with a large number of sectors and consequently a great range of disciplines, reflect a balanced academic environment.

The University has established a reputation for innovation and excellenceFact|date=August 2008, renowned for research of the highest calibreFact|date=August 2008 and for a high qualityFact|date=August 2008 academic environment. The University of Patras has been recognised internationallyFact|date=August 2008 as a major centre of higher education and as an excellent centre of scholarly inquiry and critical thinking. The above, along with the creation and transmission of new knowledge, enables its students to pursue the greatest development and highest achievement both for their own benefit and for that of societyFact|date=August 2008.

The Campus

The University campus is 7 kilometres East of the city of Patras, in the area of Rion.

It is a self-contained campus in a beautiful location at the foot of mount Panachaico with a view over the Gulf of Corinth to the mountains of Central Greece across the water.

The University was initially housed in a building in the centre of Patras. Very soon it became clear that there was need for a new campus to meet the demands of a fast growing University. The wooded campus area of about 600 acres was selected in 1968 and was appropriated on behalf of the University.

The first buildings of the new University campus were a unit of twenty small ground level pre-fabricated buildings, still housing some academic and administrative offices. In 1972 the construction of buildings "A" and "B" started. Building "A" houses the administrative services, the Rectorship, the Senate's Conference Hall, the University's Ceremonial Hall, a teaching amphitheatre and seminar halls. The designing of the campus was entrusted to an internationally known architectural firm.

Following the master plan, 25 buildings were eventually built, and many more are under construction for the housing of most of the Departments, along with a new Library, a Museum of Science and Technology, a Botanical Garden, a new Student Centre. Within the campus are also found the Students' Residence Hall, the Conference and Cultural Centre, a Restaurant, a Bank, a Bookstore, a Stationery, the Publishing House, cafeterias and kiosks. The University Guest Hall is the only building of the University outside the campus. It is located three kilometres west of the campus.

Today, buildings of a total area of 210,100 m² have been fully completed and are functioning. New buildings are under construction. The campus has not been completed yet, although the rate of completion is the highest in the country. The total number of lecture halls in the different building units is 115. Within the campus there is also the Regional University Teaching Hospital which functions both as the major regional medical centre and as a teaching facility for the Faculty of Medicine. Concurrently there is a continuous effort to upgrade and improve the landscape within the campus, although extensive infrastructure projects, landscaping and athletic facilities have been completed.

Several other facilities are available on campus including a gymnasium and a swimming pool, a nursery school, a primary and secondary school for the children of faculty and staff, a post-office.

In addition to constructing new buildings, new sites at the surroundings have been appropriated on behalf of the University.

There are free car parks located all over the campus. The campus has many open-spaces, green shady areas covered with characteristically Mediterranean olive groves.

Research

The University of Patras is at the forefront when it comes to researchFact|date=August 2008, both basic, advanced and applied has been heavily involved in many international projects in the area of research from the beginning. Research plays a prominent role in creating the atmosphere of intellectual stimulation in which students and academic staff can be motivated and remain at the frontiers of current achievement in their respective fields.

The teaching and research activities of a department or a sector may be grouped and concentrated in even smaller operational, not academic units, the laboratories or clinics in the case of Medicine. In its 112 laboratories that boast extensive equipment and facilities, research is conducted by students and teaching staff members.

Apart from regular teaching and research activities, the laboratories are the focal points for the creation of national and international research consortia. The University participates in all major European research programmes such as ESPRIT, EURECA, RACE, LRE, BRITE-EURAM, IMPACT, LIFE, ENVIRONMENT, COPERNICUS, FAIR, STRIDE, BIOMED and other programmes sponsored by the D6XII, D6XVI, D6XIII Directorates.

The University has a reputation for quality and innovative researchFact|date=August 2008 and teaching staff members are very active in publishing their research results and groundbreaking achievements in international scientific journals of the highest qualityFact|date=August 2008. This research publication record serves as a key criterion considered for granting tenure and promotion.

The management of research projects is carried out by the Research Committee and its administration unit. The financial management of research projects with external funding produces resources for the University, which are used for specific educational and developmental activities, as well as funding of young researchers. In recent years, over 2700 research projects, financed both by the State and the European Union have been carried out. Promotion and maintenance of excellent research programmes and professional training, is one of the principles of the UniversityFact|date=August 2008.

Academic Structure

The University consists of five Schools, one is under establishment, with twenty-two Departments.

School of Natural SciencesFounded as the School of Mathematics and Physics in 19-10-1966 and renamed to School of Natural Sciences in 1983. It consists of the following departments with the related year of foundation:
* [http://www.biology.upatras.gr/ Department of Biology] , 1966
* [http://www.chemistry.upatras.gr/ Department of Chemistry] , 1966
* [http://www.geology.upatras.gr/ Department of Geology] , 1977
* [http://www.matersci.upatras.gr/ Department of Material Science] , 1999
* [http://www.math.upatras.gr/ Department of Mathematics] , 1966
* [http://www.physics.upatras.gr/ Department of Physics] , 1966

School of EngineeringFounded in 25-9-1967. It consists of the following departments with the related year of foundation:
* [http://web-architec.arch.upatras.gr/ Department of Architecture] , 1999
* [http://www.chemeng.upatras.gr/ Department of Chemical Engineering] , 1977
* [http://www.civil.upatras.gr/ Department of Civil Engineering] , 1972
* [http://www.ceid.upatras.gr/ Department of Computer Engineering and Informatics (CEID)] , 1980
* [http://www.ece.upatras.gr/ Department of Electrical Engineering] , 1967 (renamed to Department of Electrical and Computer Technology)
* [http://www.mead.upatras.gr/ Department of Mechanical Engineering] , 1972 (renamed to Department Mechanical Engineering and Aeronautics)
* [http://www.des.upatras.gr/ Department of Engineering Sciences] , 1983

School of Health SciencesFounded as the Medicine School in 22-7-1977 and renamed to School of Health Sciences in 1983. It consists of the following departments with the related year of foundation:
* [http://www.med.upatras.gr/ Faculty of Medicine] , 1983 (initially as Medicine School in 1977)
* [http://www.pharmacy.upatras.gr/ Department of Pharmacy] , 1983 (initially in the School of Mathematics and Physics in 1977)

School of Humanities & Social SciencesFounded in 16-6-1989. It consists of the following departments with the related year of foundation:
* [http://www.ecedu.upatras.gr/ Department of Early Childhood Education] , 1983
* [http://www.elemedu.upatras.gr/ Department of Primary Education] , 1983
* [http://www.philology.upatras.gr/ Department of Philology] , 1994
* [http://www.philosophy.upatras.gr/ Department of Philosophy] , 1999
* [http://www.theaterst.upatras.gr/ Department of Theatre Studies] , 1989

School of Economics & AdministrationUnder establishment. It consists of the following departments with the related year of foundation:
* [http://webba.bma.upatras.gr/ Department of Business Administration] , 1999
* [http://www.econ.upatras.gr/ Department of Economics] , 1985

Information on Specific Departments

Department of Computer Engineering and Informatics

The [http://www.ceid.upatras.gr/en/index.htm Department of Computer Engineering and Informatics] ( _el. Τμήμα Μηχανικών Ηλεκτρονικών Υπολογιστών και Πληροφορικής) (aka CEID from the initial letters of its name) was founded in 1980, and was the first in an engineering (polytechnic) school in Greece to offer a 5 year engineering Diploma curriculum in the field of Computer Engineering & Informatics. Since then, it has become one of the leading university departments in Greece, attracting some of the strongest students in the countryFact|date=August 2008. The Department has a large alumni population leading successful industrial and academic careers in Greece and abroadFact|date=August 2008. An active Alumni Association helps connect the Department’s graduates.

The Department’s members actively participate in teaching and research in most areas of Computer Engineering and Computer Science. The quality of the research activities is borne out by the number of publications in prestigious international conferences and journals, citations, frequent awards for best paper, participation in and frequent coordination of international and national research and development projectsFact|date=August 2008.

The departmental space currently occupies 3300 sq. meters. The teaching and research activities of the department are aided by extensive and up to date computing and networking facilities that span across 11 laboratories (each representing a specific area of research in computer science and engineering) and the Laboratory for Computing (Computer Center) which is the main laboratory for the software education of undergraduate and postgraduate students. The department and the Research Academic Computer Technology Institute have jointly established a common library that contains a substantial wealth of more that 6000 publications, including books, journals, conference proceedings, technical reports, theses (Diploma, M.Sc., Ph.D.) and magazines all related to Computer Science and Engineering. The library offers reading and lending facilities to all members of the Department.

Programs of Studies

* Undergraduate Program of Studies in Computer Engineering and Informatics (Diploma, 5 years of studies)
* Post-graduate Program of Studies in «Computer Science and Engineering» (M.Sc., Ph.D.)
* Post-graduate Program of Studies in «Integrated Software and Hardware Systems» (M.Sc.)
* Interdepartmental Post-graduate Program of Studies in «Signal and Image Processing Systems: Theory, Implementations and Applications» (M.Sc., Ph.D.)

The department of Computer Engineering and Informatics also participates in the following Post-graduate Programs of Studies :

* Interdepartmental Post-graduate Studies in «Mathematics of Computers and Decision Making»

Divisions

* Division of Application and Foundation of Computer Science
* Division of Computer Software
* Division of Hardware and Computer Architecture

Laboratories

* [http://www.cc.ceid.upatras.gr/ Laboratory for Computing (Computer Center)]
* [http://www.ceid.upatras.gr/labs/patrec/ Laboratory for Pattern Recognition]
* [http://tca-lab.ceid.upatras.gr/ Laboratory for Hardware and Computer Architecture]
* Laboratory for Microelectronics
* [http://www.ceid.upatras.gr/dblab/ Laboratory for Databases]
* [http://lca.ceid.upatras.gr/ Laboratory for Combinatorial Algorithms]
* [http://www.ceid.upatras.gr/faculty/manos/CNL/CNL.htm Laboratory for Computer Networks]
* [http://www.ceid.upatras.gr/spclab/ Laboratory for Signal Processing and Communications]
* [http://mmlab.ceid.upatras.gr/ Laboratory for Graphics, Multimedia and GIS]
* [http://www.hpclab.ceid.upatras.gr/ Laboratory for High Performance Information Systems]
* Laboratory for Distributed Systems and Telematics
* [http://www.isai.ceid.upatras.gr/ Laboratory for Information Systems and Artificial Intelligence]

Department of Economics

The [http://www.econ.upatras.gr/ Department of Economics] ( _el. Τμήμα Οικονομικών Επιστημών) was established in 1985 and began its activities in the academic year 1985-86. During the period between the academic years 1985-86 and 1995-96 it operated in a satellite campus in the Town of Agrinio. Since 1996-97 all the teaching and research activities of the Department have been conducted on the main campus in Rio, and from October 1998 it has permanently relocated there.

The Department offers a full undergraduate program leading to a Bachelors Degree in Economics. The undergraduate program is of a 4-year duration. For the award of the Bachelors Degree in Economics, students are required to pass a total of 38 semester-long courses and two foreign-language course units offered by the Department of Foreign Languages of the University.Currently, it has about 1,200 undergraduate students. Currently, the Department offers a total of 52 undergraduate courses.

The department also runs postgraduate studies leading to a Master degree and a Ph.D. degree.

A departmental library is situated next to the Departmental Office and has a good collection of Greek and English language books covering all fields of economics. The Department subscribes to all the leading economics journals and to a large number of specialists journals related to the research activities of the faculty members. Students and staff members have access to the Central Library of the university, which, in addition to a great collection of books & periodicals covering all the subjects taught in the various departments, also has a European Documentation Centre. The Department of Economics has a new modern Computer Laboratory established on 2006, equipped with all the latest statistical packages and other software.

Program of Studies

* Undergraduate Program in Economics (Diploma, 4 years of studies)
* Post-graduate Program in «Applied Economics» (M.Sc., Ph.D.)
* Post-graduate Program in «Applied Microeconomics and Marketing» (M.Sc., Ph.D.)
* Post-graduate Program in «Financial Economics» (M.Sc., Ph.D.)

Department of Mathematics

The [http://www.math.upatras.gr/ Department of Mathematics] ( _el. Τμήμα Μαθηματικών) teaches a range of courses, which include both classical and modern mathematical methods and theories.The rapid advances of science and technology have multiplied the domains in which Mathematics is a prerequisite for a variety of applications in modern technologies. New opportunities for professional advancement constantly appear for University graduates and postgraduate with a strong training in Pure and Applied Mathematics.

Recognizing the need for a broadly based and up-to-date education, the Department of Mathematics has expanded its activities to include teaching and research in a number of areas of current interest in informatics, numerical analysis, operational research, optimization, nonlinear dynamics, fuzzy logic,as well as applications of Mathematics to Physics, Economics and Biology. To support its research activities, the department has instituted an intensive program of graduate studies awarding Master's degrees in Pure Mathematics, Applied Mathematics and the Mathematics of Computation and Decision Making. Moreover, the research of several faculties members is frequently funded by Greek Government Agencies and the European Community .

Developing its connections with other European Universities, the department has been actively participating in the ERASMUS/SOCRATES Exchange Program since 1989. Under the auspices of this program, several students and faculty members have visited many other European Universities, while the Department has also hosted students and faculty coming from a number of European Universities. The department was created at the time of the foundation of the University of Patras in 1966. It has an academic staff of nearly 50 members and has one of the largest student bodies, with over 1800 students currently enrolled. Every year the department receives about 250 new students.

Divisions

Great emphasis is given to the active participation of the student in achieving his/her objectives. Thus there exists a minimal number of compulsory core courses which cover the basic elements of the various mathematical sub-fields. For each mathematical subfield, there exists a group of courses which covers the basic material of that field and students must choose at least one of each group. Free electives complete the study programme.

Students have the option to major in a particular sub-field of mathematics. This is not compulsory, but if they so choose, students may follow a certain study programme so as to cover the requirements of a particular major.

The Department Divisions and the fields of study that its one of them deals with are as follows :

* Division of Applied MathematicsFields of study: Differential Equations, Μechanics, Μathematical Physics.

* Division of Theoretical MathematicsFields of study: Algebra, Geometry, Analysis, Topology, Group Theory

* Division of Mathematics Education, History and Philosophy of MathematicsFields of study: History and Filosophy of Mathematics, Mathematical logic, fuzzy logic, problem solving methodologies, didactics and language of mathematics

* Division of Statistics, Probability and Operational ResearchFields of study: Probability theory, theory of statistical estimation, mathematical programming, optimization, stochastic processes.

* Division of Computational Mathematics and InformaticsFields of study: Numerical Analysis, Informatics, Computer Science

See also

* List of universities in Greece

External links

* [http://www.upatras.gr University of Patras's main website]
* [http://www.psp.org.gr/apps/en/ Patras Science Park]
* [http://www.confer.upatras.gr/ Conference Center]