A Memorandum of Cooperation between the National Technical University of Athens and the National Accident Investigation Authority for Aviation and Railway Safety (NAIAARST) was signed by the NTUA Rector, Professor Ioannis Chatzigeorgiou, and the Deputy President of the Authority, Ms. Sofia Sotiropoulou.

The Memorandum provides for the development of education and training activities, the exchange of scientific knowledge and expertise, and the possibility of utilising NTUA’s research and laboratory infrastructure, subject to specific agreements. In this context, provision is made, among other things, for the organisation of specialised training programmes — including certified training programmes for Authority staff, funded by NAIAARST — the provision of scientific support on technical matters, and the development of joint research and educational initiatives. The cooperation is implemented through individual activities defined on a case-by-case basis, with the approval of the competent bodies of both organisations, in accordance with applicable legislation and their respective operational frameworks.

Also present at the signing ceremony, on behalf of the Authority, was Mr. Kostas Kapetanidis, Deputy Head of the Railway Accident Investigation Unit, and on behalf of NTUA, Vice-Rectors Mr. P. Psarrakos, Mr. N. Lagaros and Mr. Ath. Zisis, Executive Director Ms. M. Vardaki, the Dean of the School of Rural, Surveying & Geoinformatics Engineering Ms. M. Tsakiri, and the Dean of the School of Architecture Mr. M. Papavasiliou.

The NTUA Rector stated that “this cooperation highlights the role of the National Technical University of Athens as a provider of scientific support, contributing to the development of specialised knowledge and training in areas of particular importance to society”.

For her part, the Deputy President of the Authority emphasised that “the cooperation with NTUA contributes to the further development of scientific documentation and training in areas within the Authority’s competence”.