Social | International Program in Medicine

University of Crete

Meet our teacher Panos Sapountzis

-I am an Assistant Professor of Physiology and Neurophysiology at the School of Medicine, and a neuroscientist. I am passionate about understanding how the brain works, and I use both experimental and computational methods to explore it (yes, this means a lot of mathematics)!

-Understanding how the brain functions is one of the most challenging goals of our time. I like to share with my students my passion for neuroscience and for scientific research in general. Academic teaching often involves transferring textbook knowledge in the form of facts and we often forget the long, painstaking process for arriving at this knowledge or how fascinating the scientific endeavour is.

-The strongest part of the UoC’s iMed program is our students! It is their eagerness to learn, interact, and absorb as much as they can. Our small class size makes it easy to interact and have real, personal conversations. Oh, and of course, living in Crete is not bad either!

-When I am not lost in neural pathways, you will likely find me diving into a book, listening to Bach, catching up with my kids, or lifting weights.

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Meet our teacher Panos Sapountzis

-I am an Assistant Professor of Physiology and Neurophysiology at...

Why join the University of Crete International Medicine Program?
Here are three main reasons shared by our students, in the years.

🟢 Exceptional faculty
All faculty of the University of Crete have been trained in outstanding Universities and Hospitals around the world - many of them in the US.

🟢 Always hands on
Hands-on clinical training at a leading University Hospital within the campus, is a winner.

🟢 Buzzing research hub
The University of Crete together with the adjacent Foundation for Research and Technology Hellas (FORTH), is renowned as one of the most vibrant and innovative research centers across Europe.

For more insights about why people join the University of Crete International Medicine Program,
👩🏻‍💻🧑🏻‍💻visit our website https://imed.med.uoc.gr/

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Why join the University of Crete International Medicine Program?
Here are three main reasons shared...

Let’s pool!🏊

The UoC’s sports center and swimming pool are part of our students’ vibrant campus life.

The university’s 25-meter swimming pool is open to staff and students for individual and team training, daily from early in the morning to late evening.

It is located inside the campus at a walking distance from the Medical School building: very often our students go for a quick swim in between classes!

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Let’s pool!🏊

The UoC’s sports center and swimming pool are part of our students’ vibrant...

Meet our teacher Evangelia Akoumianaki.

This is the first of our new series getting to know our team better! Let’s meet them in their own words.

🔸I am Assistant Professor of Intensive Care at the Medical School of the University of Crete and I serve as a Pulmonologist-Intensivist at the University Hospital of Heraklion.
My academic work is driven by a deep fascination with how the respiratory system interacts with the ventilator and with other organ systems and how it influences the outcomes in the most severely critically ill patients. I have been instructing in specialized programs including the respiratory mechanics course at Uppsala University in Sweden.
My work has earned global accolades, including the ESICM Bernhard Dräger Award of “Emerging Investigator” in AJRCCM.

🔸Within the University of Crete, I teach in specialized programs, most notably through the KEDIVIM (Center of Education and Lifelong Learning). Ι also serve as lead instructor for Mechanical Ventilation Schools organized by the University’s Intensive Care Clinic.
I also author and review e-courses for the ESICM Academy. Furthermore, I serve as an instructor for the BASIC (Basic Assessment and Support in Intensive Care) program supported by the Stavros Niarchos Foundation.

🔸By combining my research with hands-on teaching, my goal is to bridge the gap between complex physiological theory and the precise, individualized care required for patients in the ICU.

🔸My core belief, which I aim to pass on to my students, is that the true beauty of Medicine lies in intellectual curiosity, the relentless drive to understand the underlying mechanisms of life.
Τhe ‘why’ and empathy are the 2 elements that lead to the joy of offering truly individualized care. This is one of the reasons why Medicine can never be fully replaced by computers or algorithms; it is a science that constantly surprises and evolves.

…continued in the comments

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Meet our teacher Evangelia Akoumianaki.

This is the first of our new series getting to...

Happy Labor Day! Happy May Day!

Have a bright and colorful 1st of May while remembering the International Labor Day!

In Greece, “Protomayia” is a national holiday where people both honor the labor movement while celebrating spring.

Usually, in big cities, labor unions hold demonstrations and marches.

At the same time, most people plan a short nature gateway to “grab May” (“Πιάνω τον Μάη” - “piano ton Mai”), a Greek expression for collecting wildflowers and making flower wreaths.

May this May fill everyone with smiles and spring vibes.

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Happy Labor Day! Happy May Day!

Have a bright and colorful 1st of May while...

Enjoy the city from above!
Have you noticed that the city of Heraklion is surrounded by the Venetian walls?

A 3km walk runs through the city, on top of the walls’ pedestrianised paths. Recently, the area’s improvement project got completed so you can wander around freely.

🏰 The construction of the Heraklion walls began in 1462 and took over a century to finish.
🏰 It’s one of the largest and best-preserved fortification projects in the Mediterranean.
🏰 The Venetians who were ruling Crete during the period, built the walls to protect the city from the Ottomans.
🏰 Do not miss the Martinengo tower on the southern part of the wall!

There lies the tomb of Nikos Kazantzakis, one of the country’s most important writers. The phrase engraved upon the tombstone reads: “I hope for nothing. I fear nothing. I am free”.

#venetianwallsheraklion #islandlife #crete #studentlife

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Enjoy the city from above!
Have you noticed that the city of Heraklion is surrounded...

Μιλάς Ελληνικά;🌺
Milas ellinika? Do you speak Greek or does it all sound Greek to you?

Here is your chance! The University of Crete’s Centre of Training and Lifelong Learning is now launching the course “First steps into Greek language and culture”.

An experienced teacher will show you the way in order to develop basic Greek language skills (A1 level) and a taste of Greek culture.

👉🏻When: from June 1 to August 7, 2026
👉🏻How: twice a week, 90 minutes per session, in small groups
👉🏻Where: online
👉🏻Why: it’s fun and you will be able to say “Yia mas” with a perfect accent
👉🏻Who: Anyone over 18 is eligible for participation.
Priority to University of Crete incoming students and faculty who participate in Erasmus+ programmes or are enrolled in an English-speaking course at UoC

✨Registration deadline: 15/05/2026
Check out the link in our bio for prices and enrollment.

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Μιλάς Ελληνικά;🌺
Milas ellinika? Do you speak Greek or does it all sound Greek to...

Spring break is still on for a few days, but most of our students are back to their base in Heraklion, Crete🌞✨🌊

We wondered how they spent their holiday, so we asked five of our students to share with us their holiday moments.

That’s what they showed us.

✨Lia: I spent Easter in Lemnos island with my family. In Greece there’s a tradition to walk
the epitaph all through the neighborhood on the night of Good Friday -and we did so!
Then, I watched the fireworks show put on for Easter night. And of course Ι studyed for
the biochemistry exam I have to take when we get back from the break.

✨Ore: My holiday was mostly spent with my family and friends at home, in Manchester,
catching up and enjoying each other’s company. However we did go plane spotting as a
family- as my brother is an enthusiast. We ended the day going round Manchester City
centre, shopping.

✨Mia: I travelled to Sweden to spend time with my family. During my holiday I experienced snow for the first time in my life! I’ve spent most of the time enjoying family
company and having snowball fights :)

✨Solytha Maria: I had a proper tour in Europe.

England: Visited friends I met through running and explored London for the first time!

Netherlands: Explored smaller towns I hadn’t seen before and met up with my friend from high school!

Poland: Toured the city with my childhood friend and saw the culture of Poland and started studying for my exam at cafes!

Belgium: Spent time with my grandparents; perfect mix of family time, studying, and relaxing!

✨Filippos: Two of my classmates from the medicine program joined me in my home country of Australia.
After spending some time in Sydney, we flew to my hometown where I surprised my friends and family!
We spent our days surfing, camping, hiking and
even made a few friends 🦘
We celebrated Easter the Greek way sharing a roast lamb
and a few glasses of raki and playing bouzouki!

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Spring break is still on for a few days, but most of our students are...

Greek Orthodox Easter is here!

Easter is widely celebrated in Greece: it is a great family and friends get together.
It is all about food - roasted lamb being one of Easter’s famous delicacies.
It is all about being outdoors, dancing and singing.
It is all about dying eggs red and then battling them out to crack.

Easter weekend symbolises the light, the regeneration of nature and new life.

Enjoy your spring break, everyone!🌼

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Greek Orthodox Easter is here!

Easter is widely celebrated in Greece: it is a great...

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Thinking about studying medicine abroad?
Here’s why students choose IMED at UoC.

Big news for the University of Crete! 🎉

A few weeks ago, the Medical School of the University of Crete was officially designated as a World Health Organisation (WHO) Collaborating Centre for Quality of Care and People-Centred Health Policies.

This is a major international recognition and an important milestone for our university and the wider health community.

Over the next four years, the Centre will work on implementing three main pillars:
supporting people-centered health policies across the Mediterranean region,
promoting compassionate and dignified healthcare
improving the quality of patient-centred health services

Stay tuned for more details!

#UniversityOfCrete #UOC #medicalschool #WHO #globalhealth

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Big news for the University of Crete! 🎉

A few weeks ago, the Medical School...

Proud moment for our International Medicine UoC team! 💙 On Sunday in Heraklion, we took on «Run Greece» together, with our International Program members showing up in full force. 🏃‍♀️🏃‍♂️

Shoutout to all our students that participated, three members of our admin team and professors for joining the run. A day to remember! ✨

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Proud moment for our International Medicine UoC team! 💙 On Sunday in Heraklion, we took...

25th of March - A big dual public holiday in Greece! 🇬🇷

Today, Greeks are celebrating for two reasons:
‣ the beginning of the 1821 revolution against the Ottoman rule - the Greek Independence Day
‣ the Annunciation of Virgin Mary - the Orthodox Churche’s celebration of the angel Gabriel’s announcement to Mary that she is pregnant to Jesus

☀️Remember that today super markets, most shops and public services are shut
🇬🇷 You can take a look at the city’s parades - “παρέλαση” in Greek- and the atmosphere of national pride
🎏 We traditionally eat fried cod with a garlic dip (σκορδαλιά)
🎉 The common Greek names Vangelis, Vangelio and Eva are celebrated on the 25th of March!
Enjoy the day - even with the rain 🌧️

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25th of March - A big dual public holiday in Greece! 🇬🇷

Today, Greeks are...

𝐈𝐭'𝐬 𝐚 𝐰𝐫𝐚𝐩! | Applications closed for the academic year 2026-2027.

🩺This year we received over 300 applications from more than 55 countries around the world.

A big and warm “Thank you” to all applicants, who took the time and effort to apply to our program!

🏛 We hope that you gained an idea of our program’s high standards and the University of Crete’s vibrant student life.

We are excited to begin the evaluation process and get to know you better.

Good luck to everyone!

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𝐈𝐭'𝐬 𝐚 𝐰𝐫𝐚𝐩! | Applications closed for the academic year 2026-2027.

🩺This year we received...

🌎 Happy Spring Equinox, “Εαρινή Ισημερία” in Greek!

Today, March 20, 2026, at exactly 16:46, marks the Spring Equinox in Greece.

The word “equinox” comes from Latin, equi meaning “equal” and nox meaning “night.” Today, daylight and darkness are nearly equal, with about 12 hours each.

This moment occurs simultaneously all over the world and signals the official beginning of astronomical spring.

🌸 Wishing everyone a joyful Spring Equinox!
🌞 Here’s to brighter days, warmer weather, and the beautiful blooming landscapes of Crete.

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🌎 Happy Spring Equinox, “Εαρινή Ισημερία” in Greek!

Today, March 20, 2026, at exactly 16:46,...

🫀As part of this first year’s “Neuroanatomy” course, 19 of our students will soon be starting their clinical visits at the Heraklion University hospital.

🏫 Classes will be held at the Neurology and Neurosurgery depts of the Uni Hospital.

🔹Our students will work in teams and receive training on how to perform a basic neurological examination on real clinical cases!
From March to May, they will learn to implement their basic knowledge of clinical neuroanatomy.

▷ One of the main reasons why students choose our International Program, is the fact that the Heraklion University Hospital is a short walk from the university. Clinical hands-on training at a 700-bed teaching hospital is one of the strengths of the University of Crete iMed program.

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🫀As part of this first year’s “Neuroanatomy” course, 19 of our students will soon be...

University of Crete Achieves Excellence in Quality Assurance Certification

The University of Crete has successfully completed the evaluation of its Internal Quality Assurance System by a panel of external experts appointed by the Hellenic Authority for Higher Education (ETHAAE).

According to the certification report, the University received the highest distinction, “Excellent” (full compliance), in all seven (7) quality assurance principles of the European Higher Education Area (EHEA), as well as in the overall institutional assessment. The certification is valid for five (5) years, from February 9, 2026, through February 8, 2031.

This distinction affirms the University of Crete’s excellence in education, research, and institutional governance, and serves as a strong incentive for continuous improvement and the advancement of meaningful initiatives that benefit both the academic community and society at large.

The University of Crete expresses its great satisfaction with this significant achievement and remains firmly committed to advancing its mission of excellence.

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University of Crete Achieves Excellence in Quality Assurance Certification

The University of Crete has successfully...

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Step into the daily life of our students in Heraklion, Crete, where academic commitment meets...

NEO/Nore Weekend hosted by the International Federation of Medical Student's Association (IFMSA) Poland in Gdansk!

In spite of her demanding academic schedule, our 1st year student Ms Zuha Ajlan recently participated in the NEO/NORE Weekend organized by the International Federation of Medical Students’ Associations (IFMSA) Poland in Gdańsk. The event brought together medical students from different countries for interactive sessions, focused on clinical professionalism and research.

Through innovative, team-based activities, which included collaborative problem-solving simulations, participants strengthened their scientific thinking, communication skills, and international networking. This exchange experience not only enriched her academic perspective but also equipped her with practical ideas she is eager to share with her peers.

Her participation reflects both academic dedication and a commendable commitment to professional growth beyond the classroom.

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NEO/Nore Weekend hosted by the International Federation of Medical Student's Association (IFMSA) Poland in Gdansk!...

Alumni of the BRAIN and MIND Sciences Seminar Series
Studying neuronal oscillations in the primate brain: from simplified static stimuli to virtual reality

Eleni Psarou, MSc, PhD
Postdoctoral Fellow,
Zero-Noise Lab, Ernst Strüngmann Institute (ESI) of the Max Planck Society, GERMANY

Thursday, February 19, 2026
14:00-15:00
ZOOM LINK
Meeting ID: 898 1282 5746
Passcode: 703942

https://med.uoc.gr/en/seminar-studying-neuronal-oscillations-in-the-primate-brain-from-simplified-static-stimuli-to-virtual-reality/

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Alumni of the BRAIN and MIND Sciences Seminar Series
Studying neuronal oscillations in the primate...