University of Crete
Πανεπιστήμιο Κρήτης
Established1973
RectorGeorgios Kontakis
Academic staff
548
Administrative staff
420
Undergraduates20,000
Postgraduates2,500
Location
Rethymno
,
Crete
,
Greece
CampusGalos-Rethymnon and Voutes-Heraklion,
AffiliationsFORTH[2]
Websitewww.uoc.gr

The University of Crete (UoC; Greek: Πανεπιστήμιο Κρήτης) is a multi-disciplinary, research-oriented institution in Crete, Greece, located in the cities of Rethymno (official seat) and Heraklion, and one of the country's most academically acclaimed and reputable universities.[1][2][3][4]

There are 16 main undergraduate degree programmes corresponding to the university's departments and more than 30 master's programmes.[5][6]

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.[7][8]

The university ranked 62nd in The Times Higher Education (THE) 2018 list of the top universities aged 50 years or under.[9][10][11]

Overview

The University of Crete was established in 1973 and started functioning in the academic year 1977–78.[12]

As with all universities in Greece, the University of Crete 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, and TEMPUS and has important links and cooperations with other Mediterranean and Eastern European countries as well as with many American universities and colleges, through international programmes.

The university encourages active participation in cultural and athletic activities. The student union also operates a radio station.[13][14][15]

Emblem

The emblem of the University of Crete is based on a Hellenistic coin found in Gortyn (430–300 B.C.) and depicts Europa in reflecting stance while sitting on olive tree branches. The emblem was designed in a medal by the sculptor Aspasia Papadoperaki.[16]

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.[17]

Its two campuses are located near two towns on the north coast of the island, Galos in Rethymnon and Voutes in Heraklion.[18][19]

Schools Departments
School of Philosophy[20]

(Rethymnon)

School of Social, Economic and Political Sciences[24]

(Rethymnon)

School of Education[29]

(Rethymnon)

School of Science and Engineering[32]

(Heraklion)

  • Department of Mathematics and Applied Mathematics[33][34]
  • Department of Physics[35]
  • Department of Computer Science[36]
  • Department of Biology[37]
  • Department of Chemistry[38]
  • Department of Materials Science and Technology[39]
School of Medicine[40]

(Heraklion)

  • Department of Medicine[41]

Research

The University of Crete is well known both nationally and internationally for its state of the art research and graduate programmes.[42][43][44]

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.[1][3]

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.[45]

Academic evaluation

University rankings
Global – Overall
ARWU World[46]701–800 (2023)
QS World[47]=534 (2024)
THE World[48]501–600 (2024)
USNWR Global[49]=605 (2023)

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 characterised as a "Center of Excellence".[4]

In 2016 the external evaluation of the institution cited University of Crete as Worthy of merit.[4]

The reports are publicly available.[50][51]

See also

References

  1. ^ a b "University of Crete – University Rankings" (in Greek). www.uoc.gr. 2017-09-01.
  2. ^ "THE World University Rankings – University of Crete". Times Higher Education (THE). 2017-09-01.
  3. ^ a b "QS World University Rankings – University of Crete". QS World University Rankings. 2017-09-01.
  4. ^ a b c "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."
  5. ^ "University of Crete – Internal Evaluation Report 2016" (PDF) (in Greek). modip.uoc.gr. 2016.
  6. ^ "University of Crete – Internal Evaluation Report 2015" (PDF) (in Greek). modip.uoc.gr. 2015.
  7. ^ Hellenic Statistical Authority (EL.STAT.), Report on Higher Education – Students, Institutes and Faculty Staff (2013/2014), press release, November 2015 (greek)
  8. ^ "University of Crete – Facts and Figures". University of Crete. Retrieved 2016-01-09.
  9. ^ "University of Crete – Top 250 Under 50 Years". www.timeshighereducation.com. 2018.
  10. ^ "THE Top 100 Young Universities – University of Crete" (PDF). www.uoc.gr. 2017-08-28.
  11. ^ "University of Crete in THE list of top 100 universities under 50 years". www.kathimerini.gr. 2014-05-01.
  12. ^ "History of the University of Crete". www.uoc.gr. 2016-08-28.
  13. ^ "University of Crete – Culture" (in Greek). www.uoc.gr. 2017-08-28.
  14. ^ "University of Crete – Athletics" (in Greek). www.uoc.gr. 2017-08-28.
  15. ^ "UOC Radio – 96.7" (in Greek). www.uoc.gr. 2017-08-28.
  16. ^ "University of Crete Emblem – Europa" (in Greek). www.uoc.gr. 2017-08-28.
  17. ^ "Schools and Departments". University of Crete. Retrieved 2016-01-09.
  18. ^ "UoC Campus in Rethymnon". University of Crete. Retrieved 2017-01-09.
  19. ^ "UoC Campus in Rethymnon". University of Crete. Retrieved 2017-01-09.
  20. ^ "University of Crete, School of Philosophy". University of Crete. Retrieved 2016-01-09.
  21. ^ "Department of Philology – HQA Final Report" (PDF). 2011.
  22. ^ "Department of History and Archaeology – HQA Final Report" (PDF). 2010.
  23. ^ "Department of Philosophy and Social Studies – HQA Final Report" (PDF). 2013.
  24. ^ "University of Crete, School of Social, Economic & Political Sciences". University of Crete. Retrieved 2016-01-09.
  25. ^ "Department of Sociology – HQA Final Report" (PDF). 2013.
  26. ^ "Department of Economics – HQA Final Report" (PDF). 2014.
  27. ^ "Department of Political Science – HQA Final Report" (PDF). 2014.
  28. ^ "Department of Psychology – HQA Final Report" (PDF). 2013.
  29. ^ "University of Crete, School of Education". University of Crete. Retrieved 2016-01-09.
  30. ^ "Department of Primary Education – HQA Final Report" (PDF). 2013.
  31. ^ "Department of Preschool Education – HQA Final Report" (PDF). 2013.
  32. ^ "University of Crete, School of Sciences and Engineering". University of Crete. Retrieved 2016-01-09.
  33. ^ "Department of Mathematics – HQA Final Report" (PDF). 2011.
  34. ^ "Department of Applied Mathematics – HQA Final Report" (PDF). 2011.
  35. ^ "Department of Physics – HQA Final Report" (PDF). 2008.
  36. ^ "Department of Computer Science – HQA Final Report" (PDF). 2011.
  37. ^ "Department of Biology – HQA Final Report" (PDF). 2010.
  38. ^ "Department of Chemistry – HQA Final Report" (PDF). 2011.
  39. ^ "Department of Materials Science and Technology – HQA Final Report" (PDF). 2011.
  40. ^ "University of Crete, School of Medicine". University of Crete. Retrieved 2016-01-09.
  41. ^ "Department of Medicine – HQA Final Report" (PDF). 2010.
  42. ^ "University of Crete – Research Activities". www.uoc.gr. 2016-08-28.
  43. ^ "Τα Νέα" article, 12 Feb 2009
  44. ^ "Οι πρώτοι αξιολογητές στο Πανεπιστήμιο" Newspaper "Πατρίς", 20 Jan 2009 [1]
  45. ^ The Natural History Museum of Crete, Yale Peabody Museum of Natural History, The Biodiversity of Crete at the Yale Peabody Museum
  46. ^ "ARWU World University Rankings 2034". www.shanghairanking.com. Retrieved 26 August 2022.
  47. ^ "QS World University Rankings 2024". topuniversities.com. 19 June 2023. Retrieved 26 August 2023.
  48. ^ "World University Rankings". timeshighereducation.com. 6 August 2023. Retrieved 26 August 2023.
  49. ^ "U.S. News Education: Best Global Universities 2022-23". Retrieved 23 November 2023.
  50. ^ "University of Crete – External Evaluation Reports 2008–2014" (in Greek). UoC Internal Quality Assurance Unit. 2014-07-05.
  51. ^ "University of Crete – External Evaluation Institutional Report". UoC Internal Quality Assurance Unit. 2014-07-05.

External links

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

source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/University_of_Crete