At that time, prominent Epirote intellectuals had attempted to establish University Schools in the Epirus region.Within the framework of the educational reform, on May 8, 1964, the establishment of a Department of Philosophy in Ioannina was announced by the daily press, as a branch of the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki.It is linked to the town by Greek National Road 5 and can be reached from the city either by public transport or by car.It covers an area of almost 850 acres (3.4 km2) with many open green spaces which surround the four main building complexes.The buildings cover an area of 170,000 m2, consisting of lecture halls, offices, laboratories, libraries, amphitheaters, etc.The University of Ioannina has allied with the regional local authorities and industrial partners to establish an Institute of Transportation & Telecommunication in Igoumenitsa.A number of organised postgraduate study programmes are on offer that combine taught and research elements both at Master's and Doctoral level.