The University of Western Macedonia (UoWM; Greek: Πανεπιστήμιο Δυτικής Μακεδονίας) is a multi-campus university in Western Macedonia region of Greece.[1][2] It was founded in Kozani in 2003 (Presidential Decree 92/11-4-2003).[3] The University of Western Macedonia (UoWM) operates with 7 Schools and 22 Departments,[4][5] located in 5 cities (Kozani, Florina, Kastoria, Ptolemaida, Grevena) in the Region of Western Macedonia.
The University of Western Macedonia was founded in Kozani in 2003 (Presidential Decree 92/11-4-2003).[3] The first members of the Interim University Administration were appointed under the Ministerial Decision F 120.61/132/61865/B2/25-06-2003 of the Ministry of Education.
In 2015, after the first elections for a Rector, the University of Western Macedonia became a self-governing institution, and ran courses in 2 cities, Kozani and Florina, with 3 Schools (Education, Engineering and Fine Arts) and 6 Departments.
In 2019, the University of Western Macedonia was merged with the Technological Educational Institute of Western Macedonia (Law 4610/2019, Government Gazette 70/A/7-5-2019).[6] The new University of Western Macedonia runs 7 Schools and 21 Departments in 5 cities (Kozani, Florina, Kastoria, Ptolemaida, and Grevena). A new campus was constructed in the Active Urban Planning Zone (ZEP) of Kozani and started operating in September 2022.
The Administration Building - New Campus in Active Urban Planning Zone (ZEP area) in Kozani
School of Engineering - New Campus in Active Urban Planning Zone (ZEP area) in Kozani
Research is conducted by graduate students and members of the faculty, as well as associated researchers.[54][55]
In April 2018, the students from the Hyperion Robotics team at the University of Western Macedonia presented an automated system with AI algorithms called "Cronus" claimed to be unbeatable at chess. The project took four months, the idea came from the Dean of the Polytechnic School, Professor Theodoros Theodoulides who is a chess player.[56]
In March 2019, it was announced that the University of Western Macedonia, among 18 research institutes and companies from seven countries (Denmark, Greece, Spain, Norway, Poland, Portugal, and Switzerland), takes part in the project of European Commission's Horizon 2020 programme for research and training in 5G mobile networks, named TeamUp5G.[57] Coordinated by UC3M, the project is being carried out, within the framework of the Marie Sklodowska-Curie Innovative Training Networks, between the year 2019 and 2022.[58][59]
In 2016 the external evaluation committee gave University of Western Macedonia a Positive evaluation.[60][61]
An external evaluation of all academic departments in Greek universities was conducted by the Hellenic Quality Assurance and Accreditation Agency (HQA).[62][63][64][65][66]
^"University of Western Macedonia - External Evaluation Report"(PDF). modip.uowm.gr. 2016. Archived(PDF) from the original on 2025-04-06. The EEC has decided to give to UoWM a positive evaluation. UoWM has self-motivated, dynamic and recognized faculty. Several research units at UoWM are productive, visible, and deliver good quality research. The size, dispersion, and diversity of the Institution need to be thoroughly addressed, since they may produce serious obstacles to the viability of the Institution.