University of Crete

University Of Crete

The University of Crete (UOC) is the principal higher education institution on the island of Crete, Greece, and one of the most academically acclaimated and reputable ones. According to a report from the University of Leiden, it is ranked amongst the top 500 universities in the world.

The University of Crete, is a multi-disciplinary, research- oriented institution, located in the cities of Rethymno and Heraklion, in the island of Crete. It is a University well-known both nationally and internationally for its state-of-the-art research, undergraduate curricula, and graduate programmes. It is considered the best University in Greece (2011) by The Times Higher Education mainly due to its research influence in which it ranks 145th out of the top 400 Universities of the World, and also in 2012 by QS World University Rankings. It is notable that it achieves this distinction although it has less than 30% of the faculty members in comparison to other larger Universities in Greece. The University was established in 1973 and started functioning in the academic year 1977-78. Since its establishment, it has developed considerable research activity and has undertaken innovative initiatives that reflect its dynamic. As a higher education institution, it is a legal entity 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 Prof. Evripides Stefanou.

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 collaborates closely with FO.R.T.H.

The School of Letters, the School of Social Sciences and the School of Education are based in Rethymnon. The School of Letters consists of the Departments of History, Archaeology, Philosophy, Social Studies, and Philology; the School of Social Sciences consists of the Departments of Economics, Psychology, Sociology and Political Sciences; the School of Education consists of the Departments of Primary Education and Pre-Primary Education.

The School of Sciences and the School of Health Sciences are based in Heraklion, the School of Sciences 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, established in 1981 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 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 U.S. Universities and Colleges, through international Programs.

The student union also operates a radio station.

The University of Crete is reputed to be the best research university and perhaps the best Greek university.