National and Kapodistrian University of Athens
Biographical Info
The National and Kapodistrian University of Athens (NKUA) is a research University and, as a leading higher education institution since 1837, it aims to advance knowledge and educate students in sciences and arts that will best serve the nation and the community of the twenty first century. Committed to innovation and academic excellence, we seek to infuse each member of our academic community with the passion of research and knowledge gain. We encourage cultivation of creativity, maturation of social and cultural sensibilities as well as critical thinking, by supporting free and open dialogue and a culture of integrity and diversity.
NKUA is a public university located in Athens, Greece. Inaugurated in 1837, it has been the first university in the newly established Modern Greek state, as well as in the Balkan and the Eastern Mediterranean area. Its role has been historically and socially decisive for education and promotion of cultural life in the country and beyond. When inaugurated, it comprised four Schools; Theology, Law, Medicine and the School of “Philosophy and Other Fundamental Studies” (which included applied sciences and mathematics). During its first year of operation, the institution had 33 professors, while courses were attended by 52 students and 75 non–matriculated “auditors”. Throughout its history a number of our students and faculty members have played a critical role in medicine, politics, education, literature and nearly all fields of sciences and arts; we should mention, among others, George Papanicolaou, Hélène Glykatzi– Ahrweiler, Constantin Carathéodory. We are also proud of the two Nobel prize–winners in Literature, Odysseas Elytis and George Seferis, who have studied at the NKUA, and Nikos Kazantzakis who was nominated for the Nobel Prize in Literature in nine different years. Finally our national poet Kostis Palamas had served as Secretary of the University.
For the academic year 2022-23, the NKUA offers 41 undergraduate programs as well as 224 postgraduate programs leading to a Master’s or Doctoral degree. 33 of these postgraduate programs are taught in a foreign language. There is also the English “BA Program in the Archaeology, History and Literature of Ancient Greece”, exclusively for international students; a Medical Degree in English also operates the academic year 2022-23. Τhe University has established 15 Centers of Excellence, 18 Centers of Expertise in Rare Diseases of the School of Medicine, and 5 University Research Institutes. There are also 3 University Hospitals that belong to the NKUA, while 72 Clinics and Departments under the auspices of the School of Health Sciences, operate in NKUA premises and in 16 Athens hospitals. Furthermore, 283 University Laboratories, 11 libraries, the History Museum of the University, the Historical Archive and 17 thematic museums are used for research and education purposes. Additionally Greek language can be learned as second/ foreign language at the Modern Greek Language Teaching Center; also at the Foreign Languages Teaching Center of the University, 25 languages can be studied and special programs are available in language, translation, as well as legal and medical terminology. NKUA is a research-intensive University. Our faculty and researchers continuously challenge the boundaries of knowledge. We provide the highest quality learning opportunities for our students embellished by the new knowledge we discover. Research, individual and collective, is a priority for the academic community. Research can be also supported by grants, international and national funds, partnerships with public and private sector bodies, etc. Additionally, our academic community actively participates in a multitude of scientific, cultural and social events and initiatives, thus strengthening the University’s social impact. Some of the most important contributions of our Institution to the society can be considered: national health, social solidarity, migration policy, gender equality, and social exclusion. Indicative initiatives are as follows: blood and bone marrow donation on a regular basis, “Social Solidarity Oncology Clinic” for patients with cancer without medical insurance, “Health for All” program (https://www. ygeiagiaolous.org) offering medical, dental, pharmaceutical and psychosocial care to vulnerable social groups, “Solidarity Network for Refugees” offering vaccination and other initiatives, supportive and counseling actions such as “Parental Academies” for schools, and covid-19 information telephone line.