In the context of extroversion and the expansion of the international activity of the University of West Attica (UNIWA), a new Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed by the Rector, Professor Dr. Panagiotis E. Kaldis and the Rector of Yildiz Technical University (YTU), Professor Dr. Tamer Yilmaz. The purpose of this cooperation is to develop multiple synergies, starting with the establishment of a Research Center/Hub in Istanbul, which will host joint educational and research activities that promote the preservation and perpetuation of cultural heritage.
The signed MoU is the culmination of a long and fruitful cooperation between the Department of Conservation of Antiquities and Works of Art, Faculty of Applied Arts and Culture of UNIWA and the Department of Conservation and Restoration of Cultural Property, Faculty of Architecture of YTU.
On the part of the Greeks, the main contributors to this cooperation are Associate Professors Stefania Chlouveraki, Dimitrios Makris and Leonidas Karabinis, who noted that the signing of this memorandum is the sealing of the cooperation between the two departments and look forward to the creation of new opportunities for joint educational and research activities for both staff and students of the two institutions. In addition, the aim is the participation of the Greek community in joint programmes for the preservation and promotion of cultural heritage and the creation of opportunities for the training of young students in this field.
On the part of the Turks, the main contributors were the Head of the Department Assoc. Prof. Mehmet Fevzi UĞURYOL, PhD, the Deputy Head Asst. Prof. Burcu KIRMIZI, PhD, and the professors Prof. Nevra ERTÜRK GÜNGÖR, PhD and Assoc. Prof. Drahşan UĞURYOL, PhD, who expressed their pleasure for the institutionalization of the cooperation with UNIWA, one of the largest Higher Education Institutions in Greece, with 6 Faculties, 27 Departments, 50 Laboratories and 4 Research Centres operating with high academic and research standards.
It is worth mentioning that YTU is one of the largest Higher Education Institutions in Turkey, consisting of 10 Faculties, 3 Institutes, 32 Research Centres and 293 Laboratories. In 2021, it was rated as the 5th best research university nationally.
The cooperation, in particular targets the:
– development of educational programs, summer schools, etc.
– development of joint research proposals,
– supervision of diploma and doctoral theses and dissertations
– organisation of conferences, seminars, academic and educational meetings
– joint scientific publications for the promotion of research and good practice in the field of cultural heritage
– consultancy and actions aimed at the conservation and restoration of cultural heritage.
The MoU is expected to have significant benefits for the extroversion of both Universities, the development of synergies that promote culture, communication and cooperation between the two academic communities, through the enhancement of academic exchanges, as well as the implementation of educational and research programmes for the benefit of the academic staff and the students.
Mr Lakis Vingas, an exceptional member of the Greek community (Archon Hartofilax of the Great Church of Christ, Chairman of the Committee of the I. Church of Panagia Paramythia Vlahsarai) who graduated from the Yildiz Technical University, made the following declaration on the occasion of the signing of the Memorandum:
“I welcome the signing of the Memorandum of Understanding between the University of West Attica and Yıldız Technical University, two Higher Education Institutions renowned in the scientific community. Partnerships such as the present one in the field of education and culture between Greek and Turkish universities lay the foundations for mutual understanding between the two societies and create common goals for the future. I congratulate the rectors and all those who worked hard to achieve this agreement. I hope that the implementation of the cooperation will soon begin and I hope that it will be a springboard for the joint course of building social and scientific channels of communication for the benefit of both peoples.”
