Cooperation with Johns Hopkins University

The University of Patras has established a formal education agreement with the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine to collaborate on research and student faculty exchanges.

The University of Patras represented by the Vice Rector of Academic Affairs and Personnel, Dimitrios Dougenis, M.D., Ph.D., and the Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, represented by the Dean and CEO, Edward D. Miller, M.D., have decided to promote cooperation in the field of research and education to strengthen their respective programs and enhance international exchanges.

The University of Patras and the Johns Hopkins School of Medicine intend:

1. To pursue exchange of teaching and research staff, students and administrative staff, as well as knowledge and experience acquired in research.
2. To organize shorts visits of teaching staff and other scientific and research staff, for studies, lectures and research.
3. To promote the exchange of under-graduate medical students, graduate and postgraduate students for short periods, on special agreements to attend courses or training in laboratories of the respective Universities.
4. To host administrative officials for visits of the respective Institutions in order to evaluate and improve the program/s of this agreement.
5. To initiate joint research programs in areas of mutual interest. The cooperative research effort will be based on Departments and Schools currently functioning in the University of Patras and the Johns Hopkins School of Medicine.
6. To work toward cooperation in other areas of interest to both Institutions.

The two institutions had officially begun the collaboration on April 11, 2008, when representatives from the University of Patras, visited Johns Hopkins to sign the agreement.

The official presentation of the cooperation in Greece was held on the 15th of October 2008, when Myron L. Weisfeldt, MD., director of the Department of Medicine at Johns Hopkins, visited the University of Patras and the University's Hospital. The day after, in Athens, the Memorandum of Understanding was presented to the State's authorities as well as to the whole Greek academic community.

"This is a tremendous opportunity for Hopkins to share new ideas with an outstanding institution abroad", said Myron L. Weisfeldt, MD., director of the Department of Medicine at Johns Hopkins, who facilitated and developed the areas of collaboration. "Were expecting a fruitful relationship for Hopkins as well as the University of Patras." added Professor M. L. Weisfeldt.

"We share similar visions and have parallel missions" stated Mr D. Dougenis, Professor of Cardiothoracic Surgery, Vice Rector of the University of Patras, Chairman of the Hellenic Hopkins Initiative.

The Greek Committee of the Hellenic Hopkins Initiative is asking the academic community of the University of Patras to fill the related application form (in Greek) in order to participate in the realization of the this academic collaboration.

More information:

• Brochure for the Presentation of the Memorandum of Understanding
• Press Release of the official presentation of the collaboration in Greece on the 15th of October 2008.

Contact information:

Mr D. Dougenis
Professor of Cardiothoracic Surgery
Vice Rector of the University of Patras
Chairman of the Hellenic Hopkins Initiative
email: vrector_aca AT upatras.gr