Ionian University Ionian University The Ionian University (Greek: Iόνιο Πανεπιστήμιο) is a university located in the city of Corfu, Greece. It is one of the newest institutions of Higher Education in Greece, created pursuant to presidential order 83/84 ΦΕΚ 31 Α/20-3-84, along with the University of the Aegean and the University of Thessaly. The university opened its doors to students in 1985 and today comprises three Schools and six Departments offering undergraduate and post-graduate degrees programmes and summer schools. The Ionian Academy was the first Greek University of modern times. It was in operation in Corfu for forty years, from 1824 to
French rule in the Ionian Islands of the Ottoman Empire. While initially enjoying broad support, the French regime soon began to loose some of its appeal. The heavy taxation and strict fiscal administration were widely resented, while the dismissive attitude of the French towards religion and the traditions of the Ionian people, coupled with the predatory behaviour of French troops, made them increasingly unpopular. Although the Greek clergy had supported the installation of the democratic regime and even participated actively in it, the French generally treated the clergy with hostility, as can be seen by their demand that all clerics wear the tricolour cockade on pain