University of Patras

It is the third-largest university in Greece with respect to the size of the student body, the staff, and the number of departments.

[6][7] The University of Patras was established on 11 November 1964 as a self-administered academic institution under the supervision of the Greek government.

[8] It was housed in the city centre of Patras, Greece, and later in a campus area of about 600 acres selected in 1968 and appropriated on behalf of the university, located in the adjacent municipality of Rio.

After the merger of the university with the Technological Educational Institute of Western Greece, there are two main campuses (two in Patras) and smaller campuses/facilities in Messolonghi and Agrinio.

Besides education, the University of Patras is involved in research in areas such as environment, health, biotechnology, mechanics, electronics, informatics and basic science.

A number of the university's departments, laboratories and clinics have been designated as centres of excellence, on the basis of international assessment.

The university's opening took place on 30 November 1966, which is the date that the city of Patras celebrates its patron Saint Andrew.

[36][37][38] An external evaluation of all academic departments in Greek universities was conducted by the Hellenic Quality Assurance and Accreditation Agency (HQA).

[45] Following the master plan, 25 buildings were eventually built, along with a new library, and many more are under construction for the housing of most of the departments, a museum of science and technology, a botanical garden, and a new student centre.

Within the campus there are also found the Students' Residence Hall, the Conference and Cultural Centre, a restaurant, a bank, a bookstore, the university's publishing house, cafeterias and kiosks.

The campus of Rion has many open-spaces, green shady areas covered with characteristically Mediterranean olive groves.