Democritus University of Thrace (D.U.Th) was established in July 1973. It was named after the ancient Greek philosopher Demokritos who was born in Avdira, Thrace, an administrative district of Greece The Democritus University of Thrace (DUTH; Greek: Δημοκρίτειο Πανεπιστήμιο Θράκης), established in July 1973, is based in Komotini, Greece and has campuses in the Thracian cities of Xanthi, Komotini, Alexandroupoli and Orestiada. The University today comprises eight Schools — School of Humanities, Engineering School, Law School, School of Agricultural Sciences, School of Education Sciences, School of Economic and Social Sciences, School of Health Sciences and Physical Education and Sport Sciences and eighteen Departments. As of 2018, there is a student population of 18000 registered undergraduates and 3500 registered postgraduates, a research and teaching personnel of over 700 as well as approximately 400 administrative staff. As a university it is state-owned and fully self-administered. It is thus supervised and subsidized by the Greek State and the Minister for National Education and Religious Affairs. The University plays an important role in strengthening the national and cultural identity of the region of Thrace, and contributes to the high level of education in Greece. The University plays an important and effective role in establishing the national and cultural significance of Thrace and is contributing to the high level of education of the Higher Education in Greece. Through the quality of teaching and the level of research, the University has achieved a place among the leading Universities in Greece. As an Institution of Higher Education, Democritus University of Thrace is a Public Institution with full administrative autonomy. It is subject to state supervision via the Greek Ministry of Education and Religious Affairs, which also provides its funding.