Impact - 2024

Evidence of the University of Patras contribution to reach the Sustainable Development Goals. A report prepared by the International Rankings Commitee of the University.

Introduction

This page provides substantial evidence about the actions taken by the University of Patras for the impact of its sustainable operation. The public summary of all actions that University undertakes can be found at the official website of the University, see https://www.upatras.gr/en/university/sustainability/. 

sdg_cover.jpg"Sustainable operation & development: our way in 2023 towards the Sustainable Development Goals" is the document reporting on how the University of Patras addresses each one of the 17 UN SDGs. In this report, we use data from various sources. Specifically, for each Goal, we refer to some emblematic activities in 2023, which are accompanied by indicative research publications of the same year. The classification of these works in each Goal has been made by Scopus, the bibliographic database by Elsevier, which is the main database consulted by the Hellenic Authority of Higher Education. At the same time, indicative theses and dissertations were found at our institutional repository “Nemertes”, which is open to the public, showing how young researchers and their teachers are examining the topics of the Goals. At the same time, since 2021, the University of Patras has designed and implemented a set of actions, activities and projects in eleven carefully selected SDGs. Based on the report "Sustainable University of Patras in relation to the Sustainable Development Goals" and the action plan developed for the achievement of these key Goals, in our report we briefly list -after the profile of each goal- the progress that has been made. This is done by using a four-level color scale with the lightest color meaning little progress and the darkest color meaning great progress. Indicative events have been selected from the multitude of activities, those that were accessible to the public. Many of the lectures and conferences are addressed to both the scientific and the general public, while it is important to note that the knowledge and cultural units, such as the Museum of Science & Technology, the Conference and Cultural Center, the Library & Information Center (LIC), etc. contribute to the achievement of the Goals. Also important is the contribution of student volunteer groups, which proves that the future of our country is distinguished by a pure interest in community service.

The following information is structured according to the Times Higher Education Impact Rankings indicators list and information and data will be compliled in steps. While this page reports activities for the year 2023, it might be the case that several activities remain active and valid since earlier years.

Made with Flourish

The graph above shows the published work of our researchers in 2023 in each SDG, along with the citations they have received (source: SciVal). Citations reflect one aspect of the impact of these publications, but they are not the only metric. Looking at other metrics, such as the Field Weighted Citation Impact, an indicator that explores the impact of a work in its specific field and therefore in its own context, can show us how much more influential it is compared to others, reveals very interesting data. For example, although the index of publications on Goals 1, 2 and 5 seems low, the FCWI is the highest. In practice, this means that publications on Goals 1-Zero Poverty, 2-Zero Hunger and 5-Gender Equality had a very high impact, see 1 with 3.32, 2 with 3.37 and 5 with 9.71.

3. Good health & well-being

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3.1 Research on health and well-being

Data for the indicator 3.1 Research on health and well-being (3.1.1 Good Health and Well-being: paper views, 3.1.2 Clinical citations, and 3.1.3 Good Health and Well-being: publications) is being collected via Scopus.

3.2 Number graduating in health professions

3.2.1 Proportion of graduates in health professions

Departments included: Department of Medicine; Department of Pharmacy; Department of Speech and Language Therapy; Department of Nursing; Department of Physiotherapy. All levels include postgraduate and doctoral programmes.

3.3 Collaborations and health services

3.3.1 Current collaborations with health institutions

The University has established collaborations -through MoUs- with several health-related institutions. These collaborations include, indicatively:

One important collaboration is the Memorandum of Understanding with the National Organization of Public Health, which aims to strengthen operational, educational and research cooperation in the field of wastewater epidemiology between the National Organization of Public Health and the University of Patras. The purpose of the collaboration is the interdisciplinary investigation of infectious diseases, antibiotic resistance factors, exposure to chemicals and other substances in the light of the protection of Public Health and Unified Health, the exchange of know-how in the implementation of surveillance and newer diagnostic techniques in wastewater epidemiology and the joint submission/development of research/development projects.

More information about the Memoranda can be found (in Greek) at https://erasmus.upatras.gr/agreements/mou. 

3.3.2 Health outreach programmes

marrow_donation.jpgThe University is participating in the extensive campaign of the KEDMOP - Xarise Zoi (Give Life) programme for the growth of the bone marrow donor database in the country. A number of information/registration points are available within the University Campus as well as the local area for those interested to register as donors. KEDMOP - Xarise Zoi is a unit of the Institute of Cellular Therapies of the University Center for Research and Innovation (P.A.K.E.K.) and continues to expand its scientific activities with a focus on humans and public health. In our country, it is the firstst licensed Center for Volunteer Bone Marrow Donors according to Ministerial Decision No. 52084/05.10.2023 of the General Directorate of Health Services of the Ministry of Health (Government Gazette B’ 6093/20.10.2023) which operates with a full license under the supervision of the Hellenic Transplant Organization (EOM). Other strategic activities include the weekly blood donation action coordinated by the Blood Center of the University Hospital and the National Center for Blood Donation.

Health outreach programmes are also delivered by the student and volunteer clubs, such as Fleva Zois (Vein of Life), Hellenic Medical Students’ International Committee – UoPatras, Greek Pharmaceutical Students’ Federation, etc. Fleva Zois is the student group of the University of Patras that is mainly active around voluntary blood donation. It organizes regular blood donations, informs about volunteering in health issues, while also in its first steps it is looking for more members to fulfill its goals. The offices are located in the Students Residence Building. regular blood donations are held every month in collaboration with the University General Hospital of Patras and the ypbopera-stighmiotipo-2024-11-03-072310-www-instagram-com.pngPatras Agios Andreas Hospital in the Students Residence Building amphitheater, for which one can be informed in addition to the brochures and posters that will find in various parts of the university and through the group's profile on Instagram and Facebook. Many of the volunteering teams participate in the Researcher's Night that is an open event to the local community.

Other initiatives take place through the University Library that collects food and health material supplies for sensitive and vulnerable social groups through its exchange book programme. In carious occasions, this material has been distributed to those in need by the local Association for the Defense of Refugees and Immigrants' Rights. The University Library provided during the winter semester 2023-2024 the second cycle of the healing writing activity "The Power of Words". The purpose of the activity was to help students, through creative writing techniques, to stand up to mild mental pain and psychological pressures they experience. Secondary goals of the action were the joint relief of any psychological issues they may have, the development of friendly relationships between the participants, but also the acquisition of more self-confidence, certainty and trust in themselves. The report can be found at https://library.upatras.gr/news/powerofwordsreport2/ (in Greek).

The first image shows the registration box for marrow donors and the second image shows an blood donation activity by students held in May 2023 (see Instagram post).

3.3.3 Shared sports facilities

The University Sports Camp, except from students and staff, is open to adults in the wider area of the city of Patras, for the purpose of their daily training, with access all seven days of the week, from early morning until late at night. The University Sports Facilities are shared with local clubs and associations for the organization of local events, both free and in-paid manner. Other free or paid events and programmes are:

Some indicative activities that are open to the public and have social impact:

The 11th University of Patras Bike Ride “Let’s Bike” was held with success, with a large crowd, under the auspices of the University Gymnasium. As every year, this year too, the University of Patras and its Sports Committee held the 11th Bike Ride on a route from the Rectorate of the University of Patras to Georgiou Square in the city center. Students, parents with children, University of Patras staff and citizens of Patras, of all ages, embraced the activity and emphasized with their participation the value of traveling by bike as well as the advantages of this particular means of transportation and exercise. (news item)

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Hundreds of participants, a rich spectacle, awards, prizes and countless applause were the components of the 16th Sports Day 2023 of the University of Patras which took place with success on Tuesday, June 6, 2023, at the sports facilities of the University of Patras. Students, faculty members and staff of the University of Patras, as well as friends of the University Gymnasium participated in a day that was separated into sports and competitions held in the outdoor and indoor sports facilities. The final match of the 2022-2023 interdepartmental student championship was held on the outdoor fields, specifically on the natural grass football field, the classic sports day was held on the track and field track, the final matches of Beach Volley were held on the respective fields, and the table tennis demonstration was held during the reception in the courtyard of the University Gymnasium. The final phases of the 2022-2023 internal student volleyball championship and the final of the 2022-2023 internal interdepartmental student basketball championship were held on the indoor sports field. (news item)

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A very important social initiative was taken by the football team of the Student Residence Building of the University of Patras. It was about Michalis, a little kid from Megalopolis, Arcadia, who was suffering from liver cancer and needed to immediately undergo a liver transplant in France. Due to the high costs of operation the football team of the Residence decided to organize a friendly match against the football team of the Department of Electrical Engineering and Computer Technology with the aim of raising as much money as possible to cover part of the family's expenses, having set a ticket price of 3 euros for each spectator. (news item)


3.3.4 Sexual & reproductive health care services

Sexual and reproductive health care services are provided in the University Hospital.

3.3.5 Mental health support

logo.jpgThe Center for Psychological and Counseling Support (KEPSYSYP) has the mission of providing psychological and counseling support services and preventing mental health problems for members of the university community, and in particular for students of first, second and third cycle programs, in accordance with article 128 of Law 4957/2022 and article 62 (par. 1) of the Internal Regulations of the Institution. The Center for Psychological and Counseling Support (KEPSYSYP) was established formally established in 2023, replacing the operation of the Office of Psychological Support. The mission of the Center is to provide psychological and counseling support services, prevent mental health problems for members of the university community, and also raise awareness of the university community on mental health issues. The goal of KEPSYSYP is the personal well-being and optimal functionality of people during their studies or work at the University of Patras. The Center is staffed by psychologists and social workers.

All services are provided free of charge, they are strictly confidential and subject to applicable laws (GDPR). More information is available at https://mentalcare.upatras.gr/en/. 

3.3.6 Smoke-free policy

The Smoke-free policy can be found on the home page of the Office for Security and Hygiene (middle spot) via a link to the official document of the Ministry of Health (in Greek) and also on the webpage http://osh.upatras.gr/index.php/smoking-policy.  

The University of Patras' smoking policy refers to all tobacco products. As a general rule, following the national legislation and specifically the ministerial decision no: Δ2β/Γ.Π.οικ. 80727/15.11.2019 (Government Gazette B' 4177), smoking isn't allowed indoors, including all working areas, hallways, staircases, restrooms and warehouses. The policy applies also to all University vehicles, as well as to all canteens, restaurants, and cafeterias of the campus. Smoking is prohibited indoors at any time, not just during working and teaching hours.

The University permits smoking during normal breaks or at the end of working and teaching hours in designated smoking areas, balconies and open-air verandas, gardens, yards, and sidewalks, provided that the smoker is acting responsibly for the safe extinguishing and disposal of any tobacco product.

The University takes measures to prevent smoking in all its facilities by removing ashtrays and posting notices.

The University expects all employees and students to respect this policy and the legislation. The University may reprimand anyone that violates the policy and reserves the right to take disciplinary action towards those who disregard it and to apply fines according to the legislation.

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Images of signage in the University campus for the prohibition of smoking; the left from the student's restaurant and the right from the library.

3.3.7 Mental health support for staff

As mentioned above, the Center for Psychological and Counseling Support (KEPSYSYP) has the mission of providing psychological and counseling support services and preventing mental health problems for members of the university community, Students are the primary group, but it addresses the needs of staff in general. According to its website:

The main cause of the Center is to provide psychological and counselling support services to the members of the University, the prevention of mental health problems and, in general, the promotion of mental health throughout the Community.

4. Quality education

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Data for the indicator 4.1. Research on early years and lifelong learning education (4.1.1 Quality Education: paper views, 4.1.2 Quality Education: CiteScore, and 4.1.3 Quality Education: publications) is being collected via Scopus.

4.2 Proportion of graduates with teaching qualification

4.2.1 Proportion of graduates with relevant qualification for teaching

Departments counted: Department of Education and Social Work; Department of Educational Sciences and Early Childhood Education. It should be noted that other Departments' graduates are able to work on secondary education schools, e.g. teaching biology, physics, etc. All levels include postgraduate and doctoral programmes.

4.3 Lifelong learning measures

4.3.1 Public resources (lifelong learning)

The University has developed and made available several Open Courses aimed towards broader audiences (i.e. beyond students specializing in a particular study area). The audience may include undergraduate students from different Departments of the University of Patras, students from other Institutions, graduates from the same or a different Department as well as the general public. There is no limitation following an Open Course or using its resources. The complete list is available at https://opencourses.gr/results.xhtml?ln=el&uni=Πανεπιστήμιο+Πατρών.

Finally, the University Library is open to the general public for studying. According to its Regulation unemployed citizens are entitled to a waiver for registering to other services, such as circulation of material, etc. A translation of the article 5.1. of the Regulation follows:

Unemployed people, who can obtain an External User Card, without paying the one-off amount, by presenting a valid OAED unemployment card. The duration of the membership card is annual and the validity of the unemployment card is regularly checked.

Many of the Faculty Members of the University publish their Open Textbooks on the digital library Kalippos. This is an open access digital library that every student and citizen of the country can view and download university textbooks. In 2023, 47 textbooks from our members were published as it can be found here.

Furthermore, the Library participates to the AmeLIB digital library that provides access to educational material for print-disabled students. The access though, due to the legislation for the protection of intellectual rights, is controlled and is provided strictly to authorized users. The Library also provides guidance on the digitally accessible content by Faculty Members. Information about these activiites and resources can be found on the website of the Library (in Greek).

4.3.2 Public events (lifelong learning)

The Science and Technology Museum (MET) carries out a variety of on-site thematic educational programs for all levels of education with various topics related to the permanent exhibition and temporary exhibitions of the Museum. The educational programs are planned in collaboration with teachers and students from various Departments of the University of Patras. Given the recent developments due to the Covid-19 pandemic Distance Learning Programs are also offered, through WebEx or Zoom platforms. Furthermore, the Museum organizes several other public events, competitions, lectures, seminars etc.

The Museum hold an event to celebrate the European Day of Languages together with the PEKES of Western Greece, the National Organization for Supporting eTwinning and the French Institute of Greece in Patras. School groups from the Primary and Secondary Education Directorates of Achaia participated in this hybrid event in person and remotely to celebrate the importance of language, the most important means of communication and expression of people and peoples and a means of expressing the culture of peoples that can be preserved and developed. Europe includes a large number of languages ​​and dialects, with multilingualism now a point of discussion, especially in the field of Museums, for the preservation and dissemination of the cultural heritage of peoples. The Museum, together with the Department of History and Achaeology co-organized the public event "Selfie Day" on the occasion of the celebration of International Museum Day. The event was open to students and the public. Anyone could visit the MET, take a selfie on the theme of sustainability and quality of life, and share their presence at the Museum.

The University of Patras participates every year in the Researcher's Night. According to the official description, "the European Researchers' Night is a Europe-wide public event, which displays the diversity of science and its impact on citizens' daily lives in fun, inspiring ways. The European Researchers' Night aims to bring research and researchers closer to the public, promote excellent research projects across Europe and beyond, increase the interest of young people in science and research careers, and showcase the impact of researchers’ work on people’s daily lives." The event takes annually place in Patras too. Evidence for the event in 2023 can be found at https://researchersnight.gr/2023-2/.

Other public events are being hosted by the University’s Conference and Cultural Center. Most events are open to the general public, especially those that present project results and/or addressing topics of popular science. A complete list is available at http://www.confer.upatras.gr/events.php.

4.3.3 Vocational training events (lifelong learning)

The University operates the Lifelong Learning Center – University of Patras, which offers several courses for vocational training.  The Center was established in 2018 with the main purpose to design, organize and operate lifelong training programs in a wide range of fields such as technology, administration, health, humanities, education, art etc. Distance and blended learning are the main methods for the implementation of the programs and the Center is continuously exploring new attractive methods and approaches to enhance adult education, training and employment. The Center provides both free and paid courses. Indicative courses:

Furthermore, the University operates the Auditor of University Courses. Citizens who wish to do so, have the opportunity to attend university courses of their choice from those offered by Departments. They are eligible to receive a special card from the Secretariat of the Department, which allows them to attend specific courses, for a certain period of time. It should be noted that they do not participate in exams or in laboratory, clinical or tutorial exercises, and they receive a certificate of attendance at the end of each semester.

4.3.4 Education outreach activities beyond campus

This is an indicative list of activities:

4.3.5 Lifelong learning access policy

The University prescribes in the Internal Regulations (latest version published on the Govenrment's Gazette, II, 5468, 14/09/2023) explicitly that all of its activity is governed by the following principles:

2. The operation of the University of Patras is supported to a set of values, which are based on the principles of freedom of teaching and research, free expression and circulation of ideas, respect of the rights of the members of the University Community and of the society as a whole, of justice, of meritocracy, transparency, accountability, equality, as well as on the principle of the cooperation of every institution of the University Community in the context of compliance with the Constitution, the Laws and Regulations. Any discrimination, which is related with color, gender, sexual orientation, racial, national or ethnic origin, age, religion or ideology, is considered impermissible. 

(Article 3: Mission and Targets)

4.4 Proportion of first-generation students

4.4.1 Proportion of first-generation students

This information is not available.

6. Clean Water & Sanitation

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Data for the indicator 6.1. Research on water (6.1.1 Clean Water and Sanitation: CiteScore, 6.1.2 Clean Water and Sanitation: FWCI, 6.1.3 Clean Water and Sanitation: publications) is being collected via Scopus.

6.2 Water consumption per person

6.2.1. Water consumption tracking

6_measuringwater.jpgThe University of Patras records on a daily basis the water that is extracted from aquifers and transferred to the pipe network. The calculations are based on the measurements from the ultrasonic flow meter while accompanying verifications are made based on the efficiency specifications of the pumping station.

For 2023, the water consumption is 36.97 L per person per day (as product of the division 891 m3 H2O per day / 24,099 FTE per day)

The image besides shows a water consumption tracking device on action (image by Vangelis Tsiotsis).

To calculate the above (daily) water consumption per person, we follow a specific methodology:

  1. We record the daily water consumption as provided by the pumping stations’ measurements, then we sum up these records for the annual period and finally we calculate a representative average value of water consumption per day [A= 891 m3/day].
  2. We calculate the sum of Full Time Equivalent (FTE) number of campus population. The campus population includes the number of students, staff and faculty members. 
    • The students’ population consists of undergraduate and postgraduate students plus the PhD candidates. The number of undergraduate students derives from the population of the so-called active students that attend the undergraduate programs which according to the provisions of law must not have exceeded the maximum duration of study (meaning the minimum duration of academic semesters for awarding the degree increased by four academic semesters). The number of postgraduate students and PhD candidates are taken from the official records of the school secretariats.
    • The number of staff is taken from the official records of the University’s human resources department.
    • The number of faculty is taken from the official records of the University’s human resources department.
    • To make a reliable estimation of the campus population in terms of FTE, we follow a differentiated approach based on the attendance rate of each category which for all types of students is a conservative estimate while for the permanent administrative and academic staff is specified according to the provisions of the law. The product of each separate rate with the number of persons per category gives the FTE for students and employees respectively. After, we sum up these values, the total FTE is [B= 24,099 persons].
  3. The water consumption per person per day is calculated by the ratio: [A]/[B] = 36.97 L per person per day.

Furthermore, to compare our water consumption per person per day with the mean water residential consumption profile, we extend our methodology to calculate the equivalent water consumption index. To this purpose we consider: a) the equivalent days per year based on the variance of students’ attendance during the year (the months of July and August are characterized by minimal student attendance) and the Christmas and Easter holidays, and b) the breakdown (uses) of water consumption matching activities in the campus and the full water use profile for the students residing in the dormitory. Based on these adjusted values, the equivalent water consumption ratio is 135 L per person per day which compared to the mean water consumption in Greece ~150 L per capita per day, proves to be reasonable and even more efficient.

6.3 Water usage and care

6.3.1 Wastewater treatment

The Wastewater Treatment Plant of the Campus of the University of Patras covers the needs of both the University and the University Hospital. The technical details of the Plant are as follows:

Drone recording of the Wastewater Treatment plant by Vangelis Tsiotsis.


6.3.2 Preventing water system pollution

Over the previous years, the asbestos pipes of the entire water supply network have been replaced and extensive repair work was also undertaken on the University's main water supply tank. The old asbestos pipes of the primary water supply network were replaced with new polyethylene pipes and, at the same time, manholes were constructed for the installation of new valves. The sections briefly concern (1) the replacement of the depression (pressure) pipe from the node of the central outpost of the University of Patras to the central water supply pumping station, (2) the replacement of the gravity (supply) pipeline from the node of the central outpost of the University to a point near the node of the University Hospital, (3) the replacement of the gravity (supply) pipeline from the Geology node to the central point of the Library and Biology-Mathematics buildings area wells, (4) the new water supply for the central outpost of the University and (5) the replacement of the gravity (supply) pipeline from the node of the Holy Temple of the University to the node of the Department of Civil Engineering building to the new PC building.

The sections of the new primary water supply network are made of 3rd generation polyethylene pipes, 16bar, PE 100. All pipes are suitable for potable water networks and are accompanied by the appropriate certificates.

The extracted water, as well as the treated effluent is disinfected with a 12% w/v sodium hypochlorite solution NaClO and there is also a metering system (senso/controller) for measuring hypochlorous acid (HOCl) meaning the free Cl- in water.

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The left image shows visible parts of the pipe network which have been replaced with polyethylene pipes, the center image the chlorination station that prevents water pollution and the right image shows the HOCl metering system.

6.3.3 Free drinking water provided

The water is potable throughout the University campus.

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An image of public water taps in the student restaurant.

6.3.4 Water-conscious building standards

The sanitary ware has reset mechanisms, an adjustable float, a double switch for high and low water supply and are generally designed with a view of saving water resources. All current water supply networks are compliant with the latest technological standards. As it has been described beforehand, the primary water supply network is being made of 3rd generation polyethylene pipes, suitable for potable water networks.

6.3.5 Water-conscious planting

The University has the largest campus in terms of area in the country. It is surrounded by an olive grove. The trees are not water consumption and help the rain waters drain easier. The grove is being collected every Autumn, producing its own oil.

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Drone photo of part of the olive grove, next to the Library and the Civil Engineering buildings provided by Vaggelis Tsiotsis.

6.4 Water reuse

6.4.1. Water reuse policy

A network for the treated wastewater to be used for irrigating 20 hectares (200 acres) of land south of the Campus has been installed. The treated wastewater of the University Campus is collected and utilized in a sustainable manner for the irrigation of the green spaces of the University of Patras. The two final disposal tanks of 300 m3 also support a complementary firefighting network that covers the eastern boundary of the University Campus.

6.4.2. Water reuse measurement

N/A. at the moment

6.5 Water in the community

6.5.1 Water management educational opportunities

The aim of the SEDIMARE interdisciplinary network is to provide interdisciplinary training and PhD training to researchers in coastal processes and engineering, aiming at the sustainable use and protection of coasts. The network provides a research-based training program to 12 PhD candidates in complex sediment transport processes. Research methods include effective process-based engineering modeling, advanced numerical simulations and innovative experiments.

The Campus Wastewater Treatment Facility is utilized for the training of undergraduate and graduate students and for the preparation of diploma theses. An indicative list of theses and dissertations can be found below, with links from the Institutional Repository (see indicatively http://hdl.handle.net/10889/5163 and http://hdl.handle.net/10889/13432). It also provides activated sludge to various laboratories of the University for BOD measurements (5d(index)) as well as inlet (raw sewage) and outlet (treated sewage) samples of the installation.

6.5.2 -

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6.5.3 Off-campus water conservation support

Since 2020, the University supports the Municipality of Patras and the Municipal Water Supply and Sewerage Company of Patras (DEYAP) with its wastewater management. This is taking place in the frame of the "RE-water -Eco technologies for the waste water management", financed by the "COOPERATION PROGRAMME: (Interreg V-A) EL-IT - Greece-Italy" EU. Quoting from the official announcement on the website of the Municipality of Patras (in Greek):

DEYAP in recent years has expanded cooperation with departments of the University of Patras for the development and application of new technologies in Water Supply-Sewage and wastewater treatment. Within the framework of this policy, it also participates in the action of the Interreg Greece-Italy Cooperation program entitled "RE Water- Management". 

6.5.4 Sustainable water extraction on campus

Currently there are two pumping stations in the University, using the water table at 60 meters depth. With the replacement of the pipe network and the rest of upgrading procedures, the University is lowering water consumption from 900 m3 in 2022 to 750 m3 in 2023, with the ambition to further lower it the next couple of years.

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Images of the pumping stations. 

6.5.5 Cooperation on water security

During the period 2021-2023 the Hydraulic Engineering Laboratory of the Department of Civil Engineering collaborated with the Regional Government of Western Greece on the project "Proposals of short-term measures and interventions to limit the intensity of flooding phenomena in critical parts of the hydrographic network of P. Alpheios, including P. Kladeos (lowland bed) and Erymanthos, following the fires of August 2021". Below one can find one of the images from the technical report on the protection against river flooding in the area of Ancient Olympia (the exact document cannot be shared).

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6.5.6 Promoting conscious water usage on campus

Throughout the campus there are signs for the proper use of water. Below you may find an image of a sign in the library building.

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6.5.7 Promoting conscious water usage in the wider community

The Museum of Science and Technology participated with its museum kits on water “The Adventures of Little Drop: the Water Cycle”, for 3rd and 4th graders and “Akis Stagonakis, the Source of Life…” for 5th and 6th graders in the Science Day, a series of events co-organized by the MET, the French Institute of Greece in Patras and the PEKES of Western Greece. The Science Day, which this year had the theme “Water in the Vortex of the Climate Crisis”, has been proclaimed every year since 1991 by the French Ministry of Higher Education and Research with the aim of promoting science and making it accessible to everyone. It is organized by Universities and scientific institutions of France and by the Cooperation and Educational Action Services of the French Embassies in many countries of the world, each year with a different theme. Trained volunteers from the Museum of Science and Technology visited schools in Patras and took the students on a journey into the world of water through fairy tales, games, experiments and experiential activities. The formal announcement can be found here, while a report from a Primary School that participated can be found here.

9. Industry, innovation & infrastructure

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Data for the indicators 9.1 Research on industry, innovation & infrastructure (9.1.1 Industry, Innovation & Infrastructure: publications) and 9.2 Patents citing university research (9.2.1 Number of patents citing research) is being collected via Scopus.

9.3 University spin offs

9.3.1 Number of university spin offs

The University has one (1) spin-off company during the last three years, see AviSence A.I.

9.4 Research income from industry and commerce

9.4.1 Research income from industry & commerce per academic staff

17. Partnerships for the Goals

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Data for the indicator 17.1 Research into partnership for the goals (17.1.1 Proportion of output co-authored with low or lower-middle income countries and 17.1.2 Partnerships for the goals: publications) is being collected via Scopus.

17.2 Relationships to support the goals

17.2.1 Relationships with regional NGOs and government for SDG policy

The University is member of the Sustainable Development Solutions Network, see https://www.unsdsn.org/greece. Other indicative relationships:

17.2.2 Cross sectoral dialogue about SDGs
Indicative participations:

17.2.3 International collaboration data gathering for SDG

The University is member of the Sustainable Development Solutions Network, see https://www.unsdsn.org/greece. Other indicative collaborations:

17.2.4 Collaboration for SDG best practice
The University is member of the Sustainable Development Solutions Network, see https://www.unsdsn.org/greece.
17.2.5 Collaboration with NGOs for SDGs

unesco.jpgPeace and justice are achieved through strong institutions and academic institutions must be an aid in their strengthening. One such form of aid is the first academic “Centre for the Rights of the Child” established by the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) and the University of Patras. In a ceremony held at the University of Patras, the two institutions signed a Memorandum of Understanding, sealing their joint commitment to the defense and promotion of the rights of the Child in Greece through the production of knowledge, research programmes, educational resources, data and documentation, the dissemination of children’s rights in the Academic Community and society at large, but also through their integration as a horizontal dimension in academic, teaching and research work. UNICEF Diplomatic Representative, Dr. Ghassan Khalil, stated "UNICEF is pleased and proud to inaugurate today the first Child Rights Center in Greece. The academic community plays an important role in the promotion and protection of children's rights and we commend the pioneering role of the University of Patras in this", while the Rector of the University of Patras, Mr. Bouras, noted "We are very proud that the University of Patras is the first University in Greece to create the Child Rights Center, within the framework of the Cooperation between the University of Patras and the UNICEF Office in Greece". The official announcement can be found here.

17.3 Publication of SDG reports

17.3.1 to 17.3.17 Publication of SDG reports - per SDG

The report on each of the 17 SDGs has been uploaded on the publicly open access institutional repository "Nemertes". The report includes indicative information about the activity of the administration, the research teams, the volunteers, the cultural network to mark progress on everyone of the 17 SDGs, indicative publications that are indexed in Scopus, indicative theses and dissertations that can be accessed publicly from the institutional repository and the progress bar according to the targets that were set in 2021.

The report can be found here.

17.4 Education for the SDGs

17.4.1 Education for SDGs commitment to meaningful education

On the open access institutional repository "Nemertes" one can find theses and dissertations from many Departments on the Sustainable Development Goals.

17.4.2 Education for SDGs: specific courses on sustainability

As mentioned in the page for SDG4, the University operates the Lifelong Learning Center – University of Patras, which offers several courses for vocational training. The Center provides both free and paid courses. Indicative courses mentioning SDGs are:

17.4.3 Education for SDGs in the wider community

The iGEM provides resources on the SDGs to the wider community, using gamification techniques in order to be more accessible by the younger ages.

One of the open access textbooks by University teaching staff had the topic of energy economics and sustainable development. The textbook by Konstantinos E. Kounetas and Nikolaos Chatzistamoulou "Energy Economics, Climate Change and Sustainable Development" can be found at https://repository.kallipos.gr/handle/11419/9354 and its abstract describes its content as follows:

sdg_kounetas.jpgEnergy and its various sources are a critical factor for economic development. Our past and current energy choices have enabled many incredible opportunities and benefits for society. The creation of incalculable wealth and prosperity for the inhabitants of our planet, the massive expansion of the population around the world, the exploitation of the vast amounts of natural resources and the creation of a sense of security but also the environmental outbreaks and dangers are due to the use of energy. Energy is the foundation upon which all nations, economies and societies have been built. In the last three decades, the incentive to examine our energy system has been very limited, as the energy industry has largely relied on its ability to provide increasing amounts of these vital inputs to global economic growth. However, the two energy crises in the 1970s and the most recent one, the problems from the greenhouse effect and therefore the greatest problem for humanity climate changebrought to the fore, the economics of energy and much more recently the economics of climate change. In recent years, the study of sustainable development has contributed to the immense need to adapt to new conditions of production and consumption, among other things, intensifying the necessity for the creation of a modern book that connects these complex and seemingly unrelated issues. The consequence was the revision of curricula on a global scale to include the subject of energy and climate change economics, both at the undergraduate and postgraduate levels, with the aim ofeducating and preparingyoung scientists and at the same time of informing citizens for contemporary challenges.

lab.jpgIn the course "Introduction to Natural Sciences & Scientific Cultivation II", students of the Department of Educational Sciences and Early Childhood Education build the necessary scientific knowledge about the concept of energy. By participating in laboratory exercises, students (a) understand the nature of energy and build basic energy concepts such as storage, conversion, transport, degradation of energy, (b) learn how conventional energy source systems work and how they can be replaced by Renewable Energy Sources systems, (c) are trained in issues of measurement and economy in the use of energy. In addition, because the course is linked to the vertical internship of the department, students design and implement energy-related activities in kindergarten classes, emphasizing Renewable Energy Sources. This opportunity responds to the challenge that future preschool teachers will face, when they will have to teach energy-related topics. As energy is integrated into the preschool curriculum, in the Child and Natural Sciences thematic unit, the course aims to prepare students to understand and teach this particularly difficult scientific topic. The training that students receive in this undergraduate course prepares them appropriately so that they can implement in educational practice activities related to achieving the goal of affordable and clean energy, which is one of the 17 SDGs of the United Nations.

Photo from the laboratory by Niki Sissamperi.

During the teaching of the course "Natural History Museums and the Environment", a unit was dedicated to the "Green Museum" and the relationship of modern museums with sustainable development and sustainability, focusing on the questions: How do museums inspire/inspire people to make sustainable choices in their daily lives? To what extent do museums adopt sustainability and "green" design in their practice? How do museums present the issue of climate change today? On the occasion of the above, the 17 Sustainable Development Goals were also presented. Furthermore, within the framework of the course "Museum and City", the view was presented that urban development should result from a set of integrated interventions for the economic and social revitalization of urban areas with multiple problems and be linked to the principle of sustainability. (note: the course is open, but requires Sign In).