Democritus University of Thrace
The Democritus University of Thrace was founded in 1973 and opened its gates for the academic year 1974-1975 with the starting of the Department of Civil Engineering in Xanthi and the Department of Law in Komotini. It was named after the ancient Greek philosopher Democritus, who was born in Abdera, Xanthi. The administrative headquarters are based in Komotini, which is also the capital of the administrative region of Eastern Macedonia and Thrace, while administrative services are provided in all four of the city-centers (Xanthi, Komotini, Alexandroupoli, Orestiada).
The Democritus University of Thrace has been, since its establishment in 1973, the first Greek regional polyhedral university, while its necessity wasn’t exclusively limited to educational purposes.
Its functioning through its polyhedralism firstly in the cities of Xanthi and Komotini and later at Alexandroupoulis and Orestiada,in addition to its educational and research activities, has been an essential factor in the economic growth of the Region of Thrace. Simultaneously, the University contributed in the enhancing of the national and cultural nature of the wider area of Thrace and the upgrade of the biotic and social status with both direct and indirect actions.
The Democritus University of Thrace has the following Schools and Departments:
I. School of Engineering (Xanthi)
• Department of Civil Engineering
• Department of Electrical and Computer
• Department of Environmental Engineering
• Department of Architecture
• Department of Production and Management Engineering
II. School of Classics and Humanities (Komotini)
• Department of History and Ethnology
• Department of Philology
• Department of Languages, Literature and Culture of the Black Sea Countries
III. School of Law (Komotini)
• Department of Law
IV. Physical Education and Sport Sciences (Komotini)
• Department of Physical Education and Sport Sciences
V. School of Economic, Political and Social Sciences (Komotini)
• Department of Social Work
• Department of Social Administration
• Department of Political Sciences
• Department of Economics
VI. School of Health Sciences (Alexandroupoli)
• Department of Medicine
• Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics
VII. School of Education (Alexandroupoli)
• Department of Primary Level Education
• Department of Education Sciences in Early Childhood
VIII. School of Agriculture and Forestry (Orestiada)
• Department of Agricultural Development
• Department of Forestry and Management of the Environment and Natural Resources
City of Komotini
Komotini is the capital city of Thrace, a region in northeastern Greece. Its name originates by the one given by the Ottomans (Gümülcine) and historians track down its existence back in 5th century BC.
It is a multicultural city because of its location and the large number of Muslims who remain there as an exception to the population exchange as described in the Treaty of Lausanne. It is also full of life, since it is home to several departments of the Democritus University of Thrace and is packed with its students. Despite the city's cloudy weather that gave her the name 'Little London' by the students, she does not lack the fun. While walking it one finds harmonious coexistence of modern and picturesque houses and streets. The most characteristic attraction is the Central Heroon (Spathi), a monument to the fallen of World War II, which adorns the center of the city.