In an especially creative atmosphere, the signing ceremony of the Memorandum of Cooperation between the National Technical University of Athens (NTUA) and the Hellenic Institute for Occupational Health and Safety (ELINYAE) took place, marking the beginning of a new, even closer and more substantive partnership with a strong scientific, educational and social footprint.

The partnership between the two organisations aspires to further strengthen research, education and the promotion of a prevention culture in workplaces.

The event was addressed by the Rector of NTUA, Professor Ioannis K. Chatzigeorgiou, and the Chair of the Board of Directors of ELINYAE, Rena Bardani.

Welcoming those present, the Rector of NTUA emphasised that Occupational Health and Safety is not merely an institutional or regulatory obligation, but a deeply human responsibility. As he characteristically noted, “an engineer who designs without thinking about the person who will work in that environment has not done their job properly.” Referring to the sectors directly associated with NTUA — such as mining, construction, heavy and chemical industries, and ship repair — he pointed out that in these fields, prevention is not a matter of formal compliance, but a prerequisite for life and safety.

He also highlighted the existing collaboration between ELINYAE and NTUA, acknowledging the Institute’s enduring contribution to the promotion of Occupational Health and Safety. As he noted, this new Memorandum serves to further strengthen the relationship between the two organisations and to create new opportunities for joint action.

For her part, the Chair of the ELINYAE Board of Directors, Rena Bardani, described the cooperation with NTUA as a particularly significant step for the further development and international outreach of the Institute. As she noted, this collaboration opens up new prospects for joint initiatives with greater momentum, broader social resonance and a stronger international presence. She also praised the role of NTUA as one of the most important academic institutions in the country, noting that the cooperation can substantially advance ELINYAE’s engagement with European and international partners, contributing to the exchange of expertise and the development of innovative practices in the field of Occupational Health and Safety.

As part of the event, keynote addresses were delivered by Ioannis E. Zeugolis, Associate Professor at the NTUA School of Mining & Metallurgical Engineering, speaking on “Occupational health and safety as the foundation of sustainable productivity”, and by Dr Antonis Targoutzidis, Mechanical Engineer and Head of Planning and Coordination at ELINYAE, speaking on “Occupational health and safety in a changing environment”.

Both speakers highlighted the contemporary challenges shaping the new world of work — from technological developments and new forms of employment to the need for prevention, training and occupational risk management to form an integral part of the daily operation of every organisation and enterprise.

The round-table panel also attracted particular interest, featuring executives from leading companies operating in high safety-demand sectors, many of them NTUA graduates. The discussion included Ms. Vasiliki Kochila, Group General Director of Health, Safety and Environment at PPC Group; Ms. Magda Laskaridou, Director of Health, Safety and Environment for STEELMET at Viohalco Companies Corporate Services; Mr. Dimitrios Pavlou, Human Resources Director at Elefsina Shipyards of the ONEX Group; and Mr. Filippos Teskouaios, Director of Health, Safety and Environmental Management at GEK TERNA Group. The discussion was moderated by Mr. Dimitris Vergados, Chemical Engineer of NTUA and member of the ELINYAE Board of Directors.

During the discussion, critical issues were raised regarding the role of education, new technologies and the active participation of employees in risk prevention, as well as the need to cultivate a strong safety culture in the workplace.

It was also announced at the event that the 5th Panhellenic Conference on Occupational Health and Safety, organised by ELINYAE and scheduled for 23 and 24 November 2026, will be held under the scientific auspices of NTUA, with the active participation of the University community.