Winner. University of the Year 2021

University of Patras

Type: Public
Established: 1964

Rector: Prof. Christos Bouras
Academic staff: 693
Administrative staff: 429
Students: 26800
Address: University Campus, Patras, 26504, Greece
Website: www.upatras.gr

Located in the Municipality of Patras in Greece, the University of Patras was established in 1964 as a self-governed Academic Institution under the supervision of the Greek Government. The role of the University of Patras was to set an example of a highly qualified Higher Education Institution, thus serving as a stimulus for the modernization of the entire Greek Higher Education System, with priority given to the fields where highly trained personnel would be able to contribute to the economic development of the country. In the course of time, the above objectives had to be adapted to the new prospects arising from the recognition of the key role of knowledge and technology in social and cultural growth and of the contribution the University was expected to make towards addressing major regional, national and even international challenges.

The University of Patras is home to approximately 25.000 undergraduate and 1.800 postgraduate students making it the third largest in Greece. A welcoming, safe, multicultural, and stimulating environment that embraces diversity and facilitates learning opportunities for international and domestic students is a key priority of the institution. The University offers on-campus residential halls which host a large number of students, while many other students live off-campus, either in the area of Rio, close to the University’s main site, or in the historic and vibrant city center of Patras.

Along with its main campus in Patras, the University has five additional regional sites at Agrinion, Messolonghi, Aigio, Pirgos and Amaliada. Teaching and Research at the University of Patras is organized in seven schools, namely School of Natural Sciences, School of Engineering, School of Health Sciences, School of Agricultural Sciences, School of Humanities and Social Sciences, School of Economics and Business, and School of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences. Within these Schools there are 35 Departments which offer 50 undergraduate and 49 postgraduate courses, spanning from Medicine to Literature and from Engineering to Economics.

The University of Patras exhibits a strong and recognizable research background and operates over 190 fully equipped laboratories and clinics, it is associated with the regional cluster of research institutions, as well as with the University Hospital, and it offers an environment of research and academic excellence through numerous international cooperations. The University blends with society, industry and market stakeholders to foster sustainable and impactful research and innovation.

Key facilities, such as the Library with its spacious premises, support the teaching and research needs of the community, while the University Sports Complex and Museums offer a setting that advances culture, sports and recreation.

The University of Patras has a strong international presence being involved in many EU, national and international projects. Recent policies and actions implemented by the University’s authorities have strengthened the research activity and innovation at the University of Patras and have also increased the number of collaborations with industrial partners. This highlights the importance given by the University of Patras to basic and applied research which aims at scientific, cultural, and technological excellence.

The Rector’s council has developed and supported a variety of initiatives including:
• Start-up funds for newly employed academic staff;
• Funding schemes for Open Access publications;
• Annual research awards aiming to promote and support research activities;
• Annual teaching awards aiming to promote excellence in teaching;
• The University promotes the entrepreneurial spirit and supports the creation of several spin-off companies together with the development of an effective legal protection mechanism of the University’s innovative research results;
• The organization of the Patras Innovation Quest (Patras IQ) annual exhibition which promotes the integration of research in industry and market and to develop new products and services.

Through the efforts of our highly trained academic and technical staff as well as our students, a variety of achievements have been attained which are recognized at a national, and international level by various awards.