Following an outstanding scientific and cultural tradition, the University of Lisbon (UL), whose origins date back to the establishment of the Portuguese University by King D. Dinis in 1288, is a state institution, a centre intended to produce, transmit and diffuse knowledge, culture and science at the highest level. The University of Lisbon has, currently, an estimated number of 20,000 students and a teaching staff of 1,800 highly qualified teachers, many of whom are eminent cultural and scientific Portuguese personalities. The University of Lisbon comprises the following organic units: Rectorate, the Faculty of Letters, the Faculty of Law, the Faculty of Medicine, the Faculty of Science, the Faculty of Pharmacy, the Faculty of Psychology and Education, the Faculty of Dental Medicine, the Faculty of Fine Arts, the Social Sciences Institute and the Social Services.