Social | International Program in Medicine

👩🏽‍⚕️🧑🏻‍⚕️Exams are only one part of the academic journey.

🩺The real work happened throughout the semester: attending lectures, asking questions, completing practicals, revising concepts, and continuing even on the days when motivation was low.

🍀As the exam period begins, we would like to wish all our students the very best of luck.

🤞🏻Trust your preparation, stay focused, and remember how much you have already accomplished.

You’ve already done more than you think!

#exams #medicalexams #medschool

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👩🏽‍⚕️🧑🏻‍⚕️Exams are only one part of the academic journey.

🩺The real work happened throughout the...

Meet our professor, Antonis Tatarakis.

🔸I was recently elected Assistant Professor of Molecular Biology and Epigenetics at the
School of Medicine of the University of Crete. After completing my BSc degree in Biology and MSc and PhD in Molecular Biology, I continued my research for more than a decade at Harvard Medical School before returning to Crete. My research explores how cells faithfully preserve and inherit their identity every time they divide, and how these fundamental genomic and epigenetic mechanisms shape development, health, and disease.

🔸Beyond academic knowledge, I would like to inspire curiosity, ambition, collaboration, and openness to different scientific fields. We are entering an era where biology, medicine, technology, and data science are becoming deeply interconnected and future doctors must feel comfortable thinking beyond traditional boundaries and continuously adapting to new knowledge. My goal is to foster an interdisciplinary mindset, where collaboration between the clinic and the laboratory becomes natural. For me, medicine is not only about treating disease, but also about questioning, discovering, and working together to improve human health.

🔸I believe the greatest asset of the iMed program is the diversity of people and global
experiences it brings together. Students interact directly with faculty trained in different
scientific fields and international academic environments, creating a truly modern and
interdisciplinary perspective on medicine. The program helps students understand not only what medicine is today, but also where biomedical science is heading in the future. At the same time, the environment at the School of Medicine nurtures meaningful interaction and mentorship, encouraging the curiosity, adaptability, and broad thinking that the next generation of doctors and scientists will need.

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Meet our professor, Antonis Tatarakis.

🔸I was recently elected Assistant Professor of Molecular Biology and...

📚International Programme student Georgia-Maria Manteli delivered a seminar on English terminology in Clinical Neuroanatomy to around 80 medical students from the greek-taught programme.

🤝The session was part of an educational initiative focusing on key medical terminology and fostering collaboration between the two programmes.

👩‍⚕️An initiative that highlights student engagement and peer-to-peer learning in medical education.

👏Kudos to Georgia-Maria Manteli for the initiative and the excellent delivery!

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📚International Programme student Georgia-Maria Manteli delivered a seminar on English terminology in Clinical Neuroanatomy to...

🌍 Welcome to the University of Crete, through our Welcome Office.

👭This is Niki and Stella -two members of the Welcome Office’s team at the University of Crete. You will probably meet them in person and see their helpful smile, as soon as you begin your journey at the UoC. However, they will have assisted you with any bureaucratic paperwork and questions, way before you come to the island.

✈️ While moving to a new country to study is an exciting experience, it can also feel overwhelming at times. That’s where the Welcome Office comes in.

The University of Crete’s Welcome Office is one of the iMed programme’s strong assets. The team there is dedicated to helping international students, researchers, and visiting academics feel at home from day one. From accommodation guidance and administrative support to cultural activities, language opportunities, and everyday practical advice, the office is by your side, every step of the way.

🎉Because studying abroad should be about discovering new opportunities, building connections and enjoying the experience - not navigating it alone.

#UniversityOfCrete #WelcomeOffice #InternationalStudents #StudyInGreece

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🌍 Welcome to the University of Crete, through our Welcome Office.

👭This is Niki and...

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Ever wondered what a typical day looks like for a medical student in Crete?

Follow...

The next iMed class is almost complete! 🎉

The admissions and evaluation process for the 2026–27 academic year has now been finalised, and we are excited to welcome a new cohort of first-year students, this September.

👩‍⚕️🧑🏿‍⚕️👨🏼‍⚕️Our incoming class brings together talented future doctors from across the globe, reflecting the international spirit that lies at the heart of our programme and the University of Crete.

🎉We are looking forward to seeing a new academic journey begin here, on the island of Crete.

#IMed #UniversityOfCrete #FutureDoctors #MedicalEducation #InternationalStudents StudyMedicine

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The next iMed class is almost complete! 🎉

The admissions and evaluation process for the...

🌈June is worldwide Pride Month - a time to celebrate diversity, inclusion and the freedom to be yourself.

Pride began as a movement for equality and visibility, and today it reminds us of the importance of creating communities where everyone feels respected, valued, and able to belong.

☀️At the iMed Programme, we are proud to be part of an international community that brings together people from different countries, cultures and backgrounds. We believe that learning thrives when diverse perspectives are welcomed and every voice has the opportunity to be heard.

This Pride Month, we celebrate mutual respect and the richness that diversity brings to our university community 🌈

#PrideMonth #IMed #UniversityOfCrete #Diversity #Inclusion Belonging StudyMedicine

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🌈June is worldwide Pride Month - a time to celebrate diversity, inclusion and the freedom...

Meet our professor Marina Vidaki.

🔸I am an Assistant Professor of Cellular-Molecular Biology, at the School of Medicine, University of Crete. My academic journey started at the same University, where I studied Biology and completed my MSc and PhD studies on Molecular Biology and Developmental Neuroscience. I then moved to the USA, to do postdoctoral research on Neuronal Cell Biology at MIT. After almost 10 wonderful years it was time for me to return home and continue building my path through research and teaching, exactly where I started, at the University of Crete.

🔸As an educator, my goal is to cultivate holistic scientific and clinical mindsets in medical students, based on specific values. I aspire to instill into students a deep appreciation for the iterative nature of scientific discovery, and train them to question established paradigms rather than memorising facts. At the same time, I actively support students to smoothly transition into the local community, and maintain a balanced academic and social life.

🔸I strongly believe that happy, complete people, are better scientists and essentially better doctors.

Our program has some unique characteristics that set it apart from other programs. First of all, we only admit a small number of students each year, which allows us to
embrace each student individually, emphasising on their needs and the quality of their studies. Second, we have accomplished professors and academic staff that excel in scientific research, as well as clinical practice, and can thus offer students training at multiple levels of the medical science; from basic research, to translational
applications and patient care.

🔸Last, but not least, the School of Medicine is right in the heart of the University campus, and in walking distance from the University
Hospital, the School of Basic Sciences and the Foundation of Research and Technology, which includes multiple Institutes. This creates a dynamic academic
hub, in which our students can evolve and flourish.

Continue at 1st comment

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Meet our professor Marina Vidaki.

🔸I am an Assistant Professor of Cellular-Molecular Biology, at the...

Exam season often comes with the feeling that there is always one more chapter to read, one more page to revise, one more hour to stay awake.

In reality, effective studying is not always about spending more time at your desk.
Testing your knowledge, getting enough sleep, discussing difficult concepts with others, and taking purposeful breaks can make a meaningful difference in the way you learn and retain information.

As the examination period continues, here are four reminders that may help you study with greater focus and balance!

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Exam season often comes with the feeling that there is always one more chapter to...

Meet our professor Konstantina Chanoumidou

🔸I hold a BSc in Biology and a PhD in Stem Cell Biology and Neurobiology. I conducted postdoctoral research in Germany and Greece, focusing on pharmacology and translational neuroscience. Since 2026, I have served as Assistant Professor of Pharmacology at the Medical School of the University of Crete.

🔸My goal is to inspire students and spark their interest in medical research, while highlighting the value of solid scientific thinking. I would like to encourage curiosity, critical thinking, team spirit and an evidence-based way of understanding medicine, helping to actively contribute to future scientific progress.

🔸Teaching faculty excellence and small class sizes that allow close interaction between students and faculty, fostering an engaging learning environment.

🔸Traveling, reading and spending time in nature with my daughter help me recharge!

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Meet our professor Konstantina Chanoumidou

🔸I hold a BSc in Biology and a PhD in...

Congrats to our 3rd year student Sirja Koutonen!

Sirja has just presented an abstract of her first paper “Artificial Intelligence in phenotyping/ genotyping COPD patients: current status and future perspectives” at the 6th SHARE Congress in Crete.

Together with her professor, Dr. Nikolaos Siafakas and contributions from Katerina Antoniu and Tobias Hogan, the paper is now being finalised and ready to travel around the world!

Thumbs up, Sirja - keep up the great work!

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Congrats to our 3rd year student Sirja Koutonen!

Sirja has just presented an abstract of...

Did you know that IMED UOC students recently completed certified training in Basic Life Support and Automated External Defibrillation? 🚑

Around 55–60 students from the 2nd and 3rd year participated in the educational seminar, gaining both theoretical knowledge and hands-on training in life-saving techniques.

The seminar was organized by Professor Alexandra Papaioannou, Professor of Anesthesiology at the Medical School of the University of Crete, who also served as the main tutor of the program.

The training included lectures by doctors from different medical specialties, offering students valuable clinical insight and practical experience.

At the end of the program, participants will receive an official certification from the European Resuscitation Council (ERC).

At IMED UOC, medical education goes beyond the classroom, giving students the opportunity to develop practical skills that can truly make a difference.

#uoc #bls #blstraining #studyingreece #crete

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Did you know that IMED UOC students recently completed certified training in Basic Life Support...

Did you know that one of Heraklion’s most popular beaches is just a short drive from IMED UOC? 🌊🌞

Karteros Beach is a favorite spot among students who want to enjoy the Cretan coastline, relax by the sea, or spend time with friends outside the city center.

🏖️Located around 20–25 minutes from campus
🏖️Easily accessible by public transport or car
🏖️Long sandy beach with clear blue waters
🏖️Organized beach spots, cafes, and beach bars nearby
🏖️ Ideal for swimming, sunset walks, and enjoying the island lifestyle

Living and studying in Crete means having the sea close to your everyday life and Karteros is one of the best places to experience it✨

#imed #islandlife #crete

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Did you know that one of Heraklion’s most popular beaches is just a short drive...

Meet our professor 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 professor 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 professor 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 professor 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...

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