# Hellenic Open University

> Greek university (1992-)

**Wikidata**: [Q3035299](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q3035299)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hellenic_Open_University)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/hellenic-open-university

## Summary
The Hellenic Open University (HOU) is a public Greek university established in 1992, offering open and distance education. Headquartered in Patras, it began operations in 1999 and is influenced by The Open University model. As of 2024, it is part of the Open European University.

## Key Facts
- Founded in 1992, officially opened in 1999.
- Headquartered in Patras, Greece (coordinates: 38.206389° N, 21.765° E).
- Rector: Manolis Koutouzis (since 2024).
- Member of the European University Association, International Council for Open and Distance Education, and Open Technologies Alliance.
- Notable affiliated researchers: Ioannis Karydis (computer scientist) and Konstantinos Chorianopoulos (ORCID 0000-0002-5999-9387).
- Part of the Open European University (since 2024).
- VIAF ID: 250828659; ISNI: 0000000406222659.
- Social media presence: 12,000 YouTube subscribers (as of 2025), 2,540 Twitter followers (2021).

## FAQs
### Q: When was the Hellenic Open University founded and when did it start operating?
A: The university was founded in 1992 but officially commenced operations in 1999.

### Q: Who is the current rector of the Hellenic Open University?
A: As of 2024, the rector is Manolis Koutouzis.

### Q: What international organizations is the Hellenic Open University affiliated with?
A: It is a member of the European University Association, International Council for Open and Distance Education, and the Open Technologies Alliance, among others.

## Why It Matters
The Hellenic Open University plays a critical role in democratizing access to higher education in Greece, particularly for non-traditional students. As a pioneer in open and distance learning, it addresses educational disparities by offering flexible programs. Its membership in prominent international academic networks underscores its commitment to collaborative research and quality standards. The university’s growth in digital engagement (e.g., 12,000 YouTube subscribers by 2025) reflects its adaptability to modern educational demands. By joining the Open European University in 2024, HOU strengthens its position in European higher education integration.

## Notable For
- First open university in Greece, modeled after The Open University (UK).
- Part of the Open European University network (since 2024).
- Hosts researchers like Ioannis Karydis and Konstantinos Chorianopoulos in computer science and technology.
- Member of the European Association of Distance Teaching Universities.
- Recognized for its digital infrastructure, including a Shibboleth API endpoint for secure access.

## Body
### History
- **Founding**: Established in 1992 by Greek law, operations began in 1999.
- **Influence**: Modeled after The Open University (UK), emphasizing distance learning.

### Leadership
- **Current Rector**: Manolis Koutouzis (elected 2024).
- **Headquarters**: Patras, Greece (address: Parodos Aristotelous 18, 26335).

### Academics
- **Programs**: Offers undergraduate and graduate degrees through open and distance education.
- **Affiliations**: Part of the Open European University (2024) and Greek Universities Network.

### Memberships
- **International**: European University Association, International Council for Open and Distance Education.
- **National**: Open Technologies Alliance (EELLAK), Greek Universities Network (GUnet).

### Digital Presence
- **Website**: [https://www.eap.gr/](https://www.eap.gr/) (available in Greek and English).
- **Social Media**: 
  - YouTube: 12,000 subscribers (2025), channel ID UCwa1veWZT5QL60xq_IZ6RHw.
  - Twitter: 2,540 followers (2021), handle @eapuni.
  - Instagram: @hellenic_open_university.

### Infrastructure
- **Identifiers**: VIAF 250828659, ISNI 0000000406222659, ROR 02kq26x23.
- **Legal**: EU VAT number EL997239923, EU Participant ID 999895110.
- **Coordinates**: Latitude 38.206389° N, Longitude 21.765° E.

## References

1. Directory of Open Access Journals
2. GRID Release 2017-01-10
3. Virtual International Authority File
4. [Source](https://eua.eu/about/member-directory.html)
5. [Source](https://www.gunet.gr/en/participating-institutes/)
6. [Source](https://web.archive.org/web/20240407134626/https://eellak.ellak.gr/ta-meli-tis-eellak/)
7. [Source](https://web.archive.org/web/20240407191925/https://www.icde.org/members-community/)
8. [Source](https://www.eadtu.eu/index.php/members)
9. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013
10. [Source](https://en.protothema.gr/2024/07/31/professor-manolis-koutouzis-was-elected-the-first-rector-of-the-hellenic-open-university/)
11. [Source](http://www.eap.gr/)
12. GRID Release 2015-12-14
13. GRID Release 2016-12-06
14. Aligned ISNI and Ringgold identifiers for institutions
15. [Source](https://orcid.org/signin)
16. Microsoft Academic Knowledge Graph
17. [Source](https://golden.com/wiki/Hellenic_Open_University-E58RDM)
18. National Library of Israel Names and Subjects Authority File
19. YouTube API
20. [OpenAlex](https://docs.openalex.org/download-snapshot/snapshot-data-format)