University History

From 1984 onwards, Departments and Schools were established, abolished or renamed under Presidential Decrees, Laws and Ministerial Decisions. The Operational Programme for Education and Initial Vocational Training of the Ministry of Education and Lifelong Learning played a significant role in the University academic identity.

The current academic structure of the University of Thessaly is as follows:

UNDERGRADUATE STUDIES

School of Humanities
-Department of Primary Education (DPE)
-Department of Pre-School Education (DPSE)
-Department of Special Education (DSE)
-Department of History, Archaeology and Social Anthropology (DHASA)

School of Agricultural Sciences
-Department of Agriculture Crop Production and Rural Environment (DACPRE)
-Department of Icthyology and Aquatic Environment (DIAE)

School of Engineering
-Department of Planning and Regional Development (DPRD)
-Department of Mechanical Engineering (DME)
-Department of Civil Engineering (DCE)
-Department of Architecture (DA)
-Department of Computer and Communications Engineering (DCCE)

School of Health Sciences
-School of Medicine (SM)
-Faculty of Veterinary Science (FVS)
-Department of Biochemistry and Biotechnology (DBB)

Independent Departments
-Department of Physical Education and Sport Science (DPESS)
-Department of Economics (DE)

In addition, on the basis of Law 2525/1997 and in an attempt to increase students’ options in the field of education and to introduce the concept of lifelong learning in Higher Education, during the academic year 1998-1999, three Extended Studies Programmes began to operate in the University of Thessaly, based on the following subjects:
-Medical Biochemistry
-Management of Rural Environment and Natural Resources
-Museum Education
Enrolment of new students stopped in September 2000 due to the proposed establishment of Lifelong Education Institutes. The courses of these Programmes in the University of Thessaly were completed in the academic year 2004-2005.


POSTGRADUATE STUDIES

The first Postgraduate Studies Programmes were established through EU funding in the framework of the Operational Programme for Education and Initial Vocational Training (Ministry of Education and Lifelong Learning). They were three Postgraduate Studies Programmes organized during the academic year 1998-1999 by the Department of Agriculture Crop and Animal Production, the Department of Planning and Regional Development and the Department of Mechanical and Industrial Engineering.

Postgraduate Studies Programmes
-New Learning Environments and the Development of Teaching Materials (DPE)
-Organization and Management of Education (DPE)
-Pedagogical Material (print & digital) and Toys in Early Childhood Education (DPSE)
-Counseling in Special-General Education and Health (DSE)
-Special Education (DSE)
-Interdisciplinary Approaches in Historical, Archaeological and Anthropological Studies (DHASA)
-Urban and Regional Planning (DPRD)
-European Regional Development Studies (DPRD)
-Spatial Analysis and Environmental Management (DPRD)
-Advanced Methods in Design and Analysis in Industry (DME)
-Specialization in Applied Mechanics and Simulation Systems (DCE)
-Architectural Design (DA)
-Computer and Communication Engineering and Sciences (DCCE)
-Applied Molecular Medicine (SM)
-Biology of Reproduction (SM)
-Biotechnology – Quality Assessment in Nutrition and the Environment (DBB)
-Applications of Molecular Biology – Genetics – Diagnostic Biomarkers (DBB)
-Health and Exercise (DPESS)
-Psychology of Exercise (DPESS)
-Applied Economics (DE)

Interdepartmental Postgraduate Studies Programmes
-Modern Systems of Agricultural Development in the Mediterranean domain, with emphasis on the Sustainable Production and Usage of Novel Technologies (Interdepartmental of the two Departments of the School of Agricultural Sciences)
-Applied Public Health and Environmental Hygiene (SM)

Interuniversity Postgraduate Studies Programmes
-Exercise and Quality of Life (DPESS in cooperation with DPESS of the Democritus University of Thrace)
-Athletic Performance and Health (DPESS in cooperation with DPESS of the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, DPESS of the Democritus University of Thrace and DPESS of the Aristotle University in Serres)

Postgraduate Studies Programmes in cooperation with Technological Educational Institutes (TEIs)
- Automation in Irrigation, Farm Structures and Farm Mechanization (DACPRE in cooperation with the Department of Automation of the TEI of Halkis)
- Sustainable Management of Aquatic Environment (DIAE in cooperation with the Department of Aquaculture and Fisheries of the TEI of Messolonghi and the Departments of Forestry and of Agricultural Machinery of the TEI of Larissa)
-Primary Health Care (SM)
-Aquaculture – Diseases of Farmed Aquatic Organisms (FVS)

International Postgraduate Studies Programmes
-Territorial Dynamic and Rural Land Planning – DYNTAR (DPRD in cooperation with the French University Blaise Pascal of Clermont-Ferrand)
-Population, Development, Foresight (DPRD in cooperation with the Institute of Demography Studies and Centre of Development Economics of the French University Montesquieu–Bordeaux IV)

The University of Thessaly is extended over the whole Region of Thessaly with academic Departments in Volos, Larissa, Trikala and Karditsa. In particular, the School of Medicine and the Department of Biochemistry and Biotechnology are in Larissa, the Faculty of Veterinary Science is in Karditsa, the Department of Physical Education and Sport Science in Trikala, whereas all of the other Departments are based in Volos. Although the Departments are spread over all four of the Thessalian cities, they cooperate closely, not only through the participation of the members of academic staff in the collective University Bodies and various University Committees, but also through the two Interdepartmental Undergraduate Studies Programmes “Encouragement of Entrepreneurial Activities, Innovative Applications and Elective Courses for Students (Introduction to Entrepreneurship, Business Plan Development)” and “Gender Studies”, the students’ activities, the research Programmes and various scientific and cultural events held by the University.

Today the University of Thessaly has ~7.000 undergraduate students, 1.800 postgraduate and PhD students, 403 members of academic staff, 290 members of temporary academic staff, 320 members of administrative staff, 33 members of the Special Scientific and Teaching Personnel and 60 members of the Special Technical and Laboratory Personnel. It is a University with its own identity and with a prominent position in our national educational system, known for its quality in teaching, research, human resources, spirit of cooperation at all levels and dynamic presence in society.

The academic and scientific workforce of the University of Thessaly is qualified and active, the administrative staff cooperative and efficient and the students have a well developed critical thinking.

The University of Thessaly is known for its excellent research performance and outstanding scientific achievements, in accordance with the international standards. The very well equipped Departments laboratories and research Units are staffed with strong research groups. The members of academic staff and the new researchers participate in European research networks and numerous innovative research Programmes of the EU, which constitute a significant source of income.

Emphasis is also placed on the bond between the University of Thessaly and the local society. This bond is further supported by the University Hospital of Larissa which covers the needs of the whole of Thessaly, the Liaison Office which holds the results of research conducted at the University, the Career Office which brings students in contact with the labour market, the cooperation of mainly the School of Engineering and the School of Agricultural Sciences with enterprises in the framework of research programmes, services to them, awareness-raising activities and public lectures on various social issues held by academics. From May 2009 there is also a significant cooperation between the University and the Greek Radio of Volos for the organization of radio broadcasts concerning the University activities that have a main impact in the local and wider society, as well as the discussion of important current issues in the presence of qualified professors.

Student life at the University of Thessaly is also rather intense. The students have established well-organized associations that are highly active in the fields of sports and culture. The basketball and judo teams excel at Pan-Hellenic University Championships, the cinema group organizes film displays every Thursday and the University Theatre Group stages successful plays.

The Cultural Exchange and Public Relations Department, the International Relations Committee, the Bilateral Agreements for cooperation with foreign Universities in teaching, research and research programmes, the Office of European Educational Programmes, the SOCRATES, LEONARDO and TEMPUS mobility Programmes, the participation in University networks and international academic associations such as EUA-European Universities Association and AUF-Agence Universitaire de la Francophonie, and the representation at international educational events, such as exhibitions, conferences, congresses, symposiums, etc., promote the University of Thessaly abroad and enhance its international image.

As part of its future goals, the University intends to strengthen its cooperations abroad, increase its human resources, upgrade and utilize existing human resources, attract young scientists and encourage research through the creation of modern research structures, increase infrastructure and utilize its assets and funds from the EU, the Ministry of National Education and Religious Affairs and from private sector cooperations.