The Free University of Berlin was established in 1948 by the students and professors. The initiative was to incorporate a free university and was strongly supported by the masses and gained plenty of financial aid. Currently, the university has 12 academic departments, four multi-disciplinary central institutes, and one merged medical school with the Humboldt University of Berlin. The university holds membership in various prestigious international and national organizations like the European Universities Association (EUA) and Network of Universities from the Capitals of Europe (UNICA).