THE DEPARTMENT OF MECHANICAL ENGINEERING AND AERONAUTICS, MISSION AND OBJECTIVES
The Department of Mechanical Engineering and Aeronautics offers a broad-based education for engineering, encompassing professional disciplines associated with current and future needs as well as with developments in both Mechanical and Aeronautical Engineering. It was founded in 1967, providing curricula in Mechanical Engineering since 1972, on a five-year course basis and preparing graduates for industry, government, education and research both at home and abroad. Since 1995 the Department has been expanded and started offering curricula in Aeronautics in both undergraduate and post-graduate levels. The Department covers a variety of career objectives sought by its graduates, leading to a Diploma degree, equivalent to the MS of Engineering, after a five- year study and the successful accomplishment of a Diploma Thesis, equivalent to Masters Thesis.
THE UNIVERSITY OF PATRAS
The University of Patras was founded in the city of Patras in 1964 and began functioning during the academic year 1966-67. The University campus is 7 kilometers East of the city of Patras, in the area of Rion. It is the third largest University in the country and the fastest growing one, with 18.500 undergraduate students, 2.000 post-graduate students, 670 teaching staff, 369 as well as 403 teaching and research assistants. The University consists of five Schools with twenty-two Departments. Today, its twenty two Departments with a large number of sectors and consequently, a great range of disciplines, reflect a balanced academic environment. The University has established a reputation for innovation and excellence and is renowned both for research of the highest caliber, and for a high quality academic environment.
THE CITY OF PATRAS AND THE UNIVERSITY
Patras is the capital of the Prefecture of Achaia in the Region of Western Greece with a population of around a quarter of a million. The region covers the North-Western part of the Peloponnese and the Western part of the mainland, and due to its geographical position it is the transportation center between the European Union and the East. Patras is a major port both for Greece and for the Mediterranean as a whole. It is also the main commercial and administrative center of Western Greece with rail and road links with Athens and other major cities. The city’s existence within and its proximity to very important monuments of ancient times, most notably those in ancient Olympia, Delphi, Epidaurus, Mycenae, make the region especially attractive.