University of Patras  University of Patras (UPatras; , "Panepistímio Patrón") is a public university in Patras, Greece. It is the third largest university in Greece with respect to the size of the student body, the staff, and the number of departments. The University of Patras is considered one of the best universities in Greece and has been placed in the top 200 universities in subject areas. In 2019, the student population was more than 33.000 (29.901 at the undergraduate level and 3.931 at the postgraduate level). It has 715 faculty members, 226 scientific staff members and 454 administrative personnel and comprises of 7 Schools and 35 Departments. The University of Patras was established on 11 November 1964 as a self-administered academic institution under the supervision of the Greek Government. 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. Covering an area of 4.5 km², it is one of the largest in the country. In June 2013 the University of Western Greece was incorporated in the University of Patras. . In 2019 the Technological Educational Institute of Western Greece was incorporated in the University of Patras. The University is situated in Patras, Messolonghi, Agrinio, Aigio, Pyrgos, Amaliada. The campus in Patras is located in the suburb of Rion. 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 Departments, Laboratories and Clinics have been designated as Centres of Excellence, on the basis of International Assessment. The emblem of the university is Andrew the Apostle. Its opening took place on 30 November 1966 which is the date that the city of Patras celebrates its patron "Saint Andrew". This is the reason that the emblem of the University is an X cross which symbolises the one on which St. Andrew was crucified. The University consists of seven (7) Schools, thirty five (35) Departments with undergraduate study programs leading to a degree. Furthermore, the University of Patras offers Postgraduate programs, as well as Digital and Open Courses. In its 161 laboratories, research is conducted by students and teaching staff members. Apart from regular teaching and research activities, the laboratories are the focal points for the creation of national and international research consortia.