• In 2009, the inter-university network Higher Education Policies (HepNet) was established in the context of promoting the creation of interdisciplinary networks within the University of Patras. Two teams from the Department of Pedagogy and Primary Education and the Department of Early Childhood Education of the University of Patras participated in this project. As part of the initial protocol for the creation of the network, a postgraduate programme on higher education policies was already planned.
  • The year 2011 was a turning point as the Network was transformed into an Inter-University Network with the participation of the Universities of the Aegean and Peloponnese by signing a special protocol of cooperation between the three institutions.
  • In early 2014, an initiative group was formed to implement a relevant provision of the Protocol for the creation of a Master’s Degree in “Higher Education Policy: theory and practice”.
  • The initiative group consisted of:
    • Department of Education Sciences and Social Work (formerly DPPE)
      • George Stamelos, Professor (Educational Policy)
      • Yannis Kamarianos, Professor (Sociology of Education)
    • The faculty members of the ECEDU of the University of Patras also participate as collaborating members:
      • Pantelis Kyprianos, Professor (History of Education)
      • Stathis Balias, Professor (Theories of Democracy and Rights in Education).
    • Department of Primary Education, University of the Aegean.
      • Panagiotis Kimourtzis, Professor (Educational Policy and History of Education)
    • Department of Social and Educational Policy, University of Peloponnese
      • Yuli Papadiamantaki, Professor (Educational Policy)
      • Dionysis Kladis, Professor Emeritus (Higher Education Policy).

The work of the initiative group led to the establishment of the present postgraduate programme.

  • In 2015, the postgraduate programme “Higher Education Policy: theory and practice” was established with the participation of the Department of Pedagogy and Primary Education of the University of Patras (now DESSW), Department of Primary Education of the University of the Aegean and the Department of Social and Educational Policy of the University of Peloponnese.
  • As of 2022, MaHep has evolved and developed two specializations. One is Quality Assurance/Assessment and Strategic Planning. The second specialization is Teacher Education. Another important development is the transformation of MaHep into a distance and annual (2 semesters) programme.
  • During its years of operation, HepNet has developed a number of tools. Indicatively:
    • The Network’s website: http://hepnet.upatras.gr
    • The e-journal ACADEMIA http://academia.lis.upatras.gr.
    • The blog http://teamthesis.blogspot.gr
    • The series of studies
    • The seminars:
      • Seminar on scientific reflection and analysis
      • Hot potatoes seminar
      • The top shelf of the library
  • Since its establishment, MaHep (Government Gazette 1338/2-7-2015) has undergone two amendments. In 2018 it was re-established (Government Gazette 2969/ 24-7-2018) and its current form was given by Government Gazette 3557/ 8-7-
    2022.