University of Thessaly, Department of Civil Engineering

The University of Thessaly was founded in 1984 and has elected the first Rectorate Board in 1998. Its administrative and academic centre is in the city of Volos. In order to serve the needs of the region of Thessaly, its first Departments were based on agricultural, educational and technological sciences. In its initial phase of organization and operation there have been eight Departments, seven of them in Volos and one, the School of Medicine, in Larissa. Since 1984 and onwards the University of Thessaly has been gradually growing with new Departments in the four biggest cities of the region of Thessaly, Volos, Larissa, Trikala and Karditsa. Its present academic structure consists of sixteen (16) Departments, four (4) Faculties and they were all founded by the end of 2000-01.

The main mission of the University of Thessaly is the promotion of scientific knowledge through research and the contribution to the cultural and economic development of the local community and wider society. It is known for its excellent research performance and outstanding scientific achievements, in accordance with the international standards. The excellent equipped Laboratories of the different Departments and Research Units have a number of well trained researchers to support them. The members of the academic and research staff participate in European research networks and numerous innovative research projects in the EC.

Emphasis is also given on the bond between the University of Thessaly and the local society. This bond is further supported by the operation of the University Hospital of Larissa which covers the medical needs of the whole region of Thessaly. The University brings also students in contact with the labour market through its Career Office, and it encourages a great deal of social activities and public lectures on various issues held by qualified academic staff. Since May 2009 there has also been a significant cooperation between the University and the National Radio of Volos for the organization of radio broadcasts, which have a main impact in the local and wider society.

Student life in the University of Thessaly is also rather intense. The students have established well-organised associations which are highly active in the fields of sports and culture.

Today the University of Thessaly has 9.647 undergraduate students, 1.471 postgraduate students and 1.148 PhD students. It also has 560 members of teaching and research staff, 98 members of teaching staff with a temporary teaching contract, 308 members of administrative staff and 57 members of Special Technical Laboratory Staff. 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 a dynamic presence in the society.

The Department of Civil Engineering was established in 1993 and then joined the School of Engineering of the University of Thessaly. The main building of the Department is a part of the former factory Papariga at Pedion Areos, city of Volos. The factory facilities were converted into classrooms, offices and laboratories.
 
The first academic year for the Department was 1994 – 1995, and in August 1994 opened the first tenured positions and Research Department of Personnel. Currently, 23 elected Professors / Lecturers serve the Department assisted by Researchers and Adjunct Professors to fulfil both the undergraduate and postgraduate the educational work.
 
The objectives of the Department are mainly the following:
- To provide high quality education in the Science of Civil Engineering and form the students with the necessary skills fro their future professional activities;
- To ensure that students are given high quality training on a wide range of topics in Civil Engineering, qualifying them with the necessary skills for employment in related fields of specialization in the public and private sector;
- To promote international cooperation on research issues as well as students / faculty members mobility;
- To perform basic and applied cutting-edge research in the science of Civil Engineering;
- To develop collaboration with similar departments in Greece and abroad.
T
he above targets should be fulfilled within the framework of scientific knowledge and technology of production and dissemination, as well as the development of innovative research directions based on a high quality curriculum with international standards. Moreover, the Department aims to cultivate a sense of social awareness and noble scientific rivalry in all its members, based on the democratic values, the freedom of ideas and the freedom of expression.