National Technical University of Athens
The National Technical University of Athens was established in 1836 initially as the "School of Arts," almost concurrently with the birth of the modern Greek state. Through a royal decree focused on "architectural education," the inception of the technical school took place. It originally functioned solely on Sundays and public holidays, offering courses for aspiring architects in the field of architecture. Despite the area's remoteness, a significant number of prospective students sought education, leading to the addition of a school with daily operation in parallel to the Sunday schedule by the spring of 1840. Simultaneously, courses expanded and multiplied. The Polytechnic was then established in its dedicated building on Piraeus Street. Fueled by the enthusiasm of both students and educators, the institution continually progressed, elevating its standards.
In due course, the institution underwent enhancements to meet the broader demands of domestic reconstruction and industrial development. This involved an extension in the duration of studies, enrichment of the curriculum with new subjects, and administration overseen by the "Committee for the Advancement of the National Industry." However, due to space constraints at the Vlachoutsis House on Piraeus Street (later housing the Athens Conservatoire), the ambitious objectives of the school couldn’t be fully realized. Consequently, the relocation process commenced in 1871, relocating the school to new premises on Patission Street. These premises were initially envisioned by Nikolaos Stournaris, who expressed in his will in 1852 his desire to use the remaining funds from his estate to erect an impressive Polytechnic in Athens. This vision inspired his relatives and fellow citizens from Metsovo, Michail Tositsas, Eleni Tositsa, and Georgios Averof, who embraced his idea and chose to follow his example.
In 1887, the institution introduced four-year courses in "civil engineering" and "mechanics" (later renamed mechanical engineering). Subsequently, it became commonly known as the Polytechnic School or Metsovian Polytechnic School. It aimed to train individuals with superior technical education for public service, industry, and construction, akin to graduates of prominent technical institutions in Europe. By 1914, legislation officially established the institution as the "National (Metsovian) Technical University of Athens" (NTUA).
The most recent major reorganization in the institution's structure and administration occurred in 1917 through specific legislation. NTUA expanded into five Higher Schools: Civil Engineering, Mechanical-Electrical Engineering, Architecture Engineering, Chemical Engineering, and Surveying Engineering. The evolution of the study program from 1917 to its current form involved successive adaptations to meet the changing needs of the Greek economy, coupled with the continuous growth and deepening content of various academic disciplines.
NTUA was modeled after the Continental European engineering education system, emphasizing a robust theoretical groundwork and a standard five-year duration. Its substantial national contribution and international distinction were attributed to high structural standards, exceptional faculty and students, and satisfactory technical infrastructure. NTUA graduates were pivotal in pre-war self-sustained development and post-war reconstruction. They occupied key roles in both public and private technical sectors, with their engineering expertise widely recognized and on par with their European peers. Simultaneously, they held significant positions as educators and researchers in the Greek and international academic sphere.
The National Technical University of Athens (NTUA) currently operates as a Higher Education Institution (HEI) according to its established structure. Functioning as a legal entity of public law under state supervision, it exclusively serves the public interest while enjoying full autonomy in its governance. The highest governing body, the Senate, chaired by the Rector, comprises Vice-Rectors, School Presidents, representatives of the Academic and Research Staff, student representatives from each School, and other institutional stakeholders. In line with Article 16 of the current Constitution, Article 1 of Law 1268/82, as well as its rich tradition, structure, human resources, and technical infrastructure, NTUA's primary institutional mission, through an integrated approach to studies and research, is to provide exceptional quality public higher education and advance sciences and technology.
By harnessing its entire human potential, NTUA is undergoing significant qualitative enhancement. It is undergoing a comprehensive reorganization of studies and research with a contemporary vision, enriched by new scientific and techno-economic perspectives, and a radical improvement of infrastructure and environmental surroundings. Simultaneously, the evident need for every serious University institution to operate and offer educational and research work through a well-organized and transparent system of principles, goals, processes, duties, and rights led, during the period of 1998 - 2000, to the formulation, approval, and institutionalization of a pioneering Internal Operating Regulation (Government Gazette 1098/B/05.09.2000) within the framework of Greek and wider European Higher Education Institutions (HEIs).
NTUA's overarching strategic choice for the new millennium, as explicitly articulated in its Internal Operating Regulation, is not only to sustain its position as a distinguished, reputable public university specializing in science and technology on the global stage but also to continuously fortify this position regarding both its mission and all fundamental functions. All other strategies, goals, and actions are expected to align with this overarching strategic choice.
With Prometheus, the Firebearer, as its emblem, humanity as its gauge, and the primary parameters being quality of life and the preservation of democratic rights and achievements, NTUA fulfills its mission through embodying the invaluable social role of historical 'Universitas'. Consequently, it fosters the broader personal and social virtues of its faculty members and staff, researchers, and students,
- Cultivating competencies for autonomous knowledge acquisition, synthesis, research, communication, collaboration, and effective personnel and project management.
- Fostering holistic individuals, equipped not only with continually refreshed scientific and technological knowledge but also possessing the aptitude to function as scientists and demonstrate conscientious citizenship.
- Offering unwavering and efficient contribution to addressing the scientific, technological, social, cultural, and broader developmental needs of the nation, prioritizing these, as well as those of the global community.
Framework and diagram outlining the guiding principles, structure, and progression of postgraduate studies at the National Technical University of Athens (NTUA)
Enforcing the institution's core strategic choice to establish robust sources of scientific and technological innovation. This strategic direction aims to confer prestigious and internationally recognized postgraduate degrees. Through the Special Senate Composition (S.S.C), acting upon the recommendation of the Senate Committee of Postgraduate Studies (S.C.P.S.) in its decision of October 17, 1997, standardized principles for structuring, organizing, and operating postgraduate studies were established, targeting specific goals:
1. Sustaining and bolstering the caliber of professional training and the international standing of degrees granted by our institution, focusing on the recent elevation not only in the essence but also in the form of the diploma in Greek (Advanced Studies Diploma) and in English (Master of Engineering).
2. Scrutinizing and objectively evaluating all postgraduate courses in terms of their indisputable postgraduate level, examining both the teaching material and examination subjects, to prevent any potential substitution or degradation of the regular undergraduate programs offered by the departments of our Institution.
3. Ensuring coherence and academic depth.
4. Responding to present and future developmental needs, as well as grounded research choices.
5. Adjusting the duration to meet the minimum legal requirements.
6. Enhancing appeal for students from equivalent universities.
By its decision dated 17th October 1997 (agenda item 3), the S.S.C. set as its primary objective the immediate promotion of high-quality systematic Pre-Doctoral Postgraduate Programs of Studies (P.P.P.S).
Already, on 12th June 1992 and 25th June 1993, the Senate had sanctioned the establishment of Interdisciplinary - Interdepartmental Postgraduate Programs of Studies(I.P.P.S.), leading to the acquisition of a Specialized Postgraduate Diploma (S.P.D.). Subsequently, during the sessions on 30th June 1995, 7th July 1995, and 14th July 1995, the Senate approved and forwarded various Interdepartmental Postgraduate Programs to the Ministry of Education, Research, and Religious Affairs (M.E.R.R.A.) for endorsement and funding. During the winter semester of the Academic Year 1997-98, all previous and newer I.P.P.S. were restructured and resubmitted to M.E.R.R.A. based on the unified principles and specifications outlined in the decision dated 17th October 1997 by the Senate.
All Interdisciplinary Postgraduate Programs (IPPs) submitted in December 1997 received approval concerning their structure, function, and detailed technical content (Technical Reports). Operational Programme for Education and Initial Vocational Training (O.P.E.I.V.T.) for their first two years of operation were executed, and the corresponding Ministerial Decisions were published in the Government Gazette in early 1998.
Both types of Postgraduate Studies exhibit parallel, interconnected paths and a shared goal, as evidenced in the attached Diagram of the Structure and Flow of the Matrix of Postgraduate Studies at NTUA: They offer courses at the Postgraduate level, provide the opportunity for progression from IPPs to PPPs, and lead, with or without the acquisition of a Master of Specialization (M.S.), to the development of a Doctoral Thesis (Ph.D.) within the overall, legally mandated duration of three academic years.
Furthermore, NTUA remains steadfast in upholding the conventional procedure for developing Doctoral Theses, ensuring substantive depth in Science and the quality of Research. Doctoral Theses, by their inherent nature, can and should be undertaken by the research entities, Departments, and the natural carriers of research, in alignment with the process stipulated in all post-1981 legislation pertaining to the structure and function of Higher Education Institutions, and specifically detailed in all relevant decisions made by the NTUA Senate.
Legislatively, the current framework for Postgraduate Studies adheres to Law 2083/92 and Article 2 of Law 2327/1995. Postgraduate Programs outline two tiers of study, namely the M.S. and the Ph.D., proposed by members or collective bodies of the Department and initially sanctioned by the General Assembly of Special Composition (G.A.S.C.). The minimum duration for obtaining an M.S. is one academic year, while for obtaining a Ph.D., it is three years, unless preceded by an M.S., in which case it is reduced to two years. Postgraduate Programs are ultimately endorsed by the Senate and subsequently ratified by the Ministry of Education, Research, and Religious Affairs (M.E.R.R.A.).
The Senate of the National Technical University of Athens (NTUA) concluded and systematized the framework, principles, structure, and progression of Postgraduate Programs (PPPs) and Interdepartmental Postgraduate Programs (IPPs) in a comprehensive Guide for Postgraduate Studies of the Institution, aligning with current legislation, informed by the experiences and perspectives of the General Assemblies of Special Composition (G.A.S.C.) of the Departments, the Special Interdepartmental Committee (S.I.C.), and the Senate Committee of Postgraduate Studies (S.C.P.S.). This publication specifically addresses and systematizes the Interdisciplinary-Interdepartmental Postgraduate Programs within NTUA.
Within this context, NTUA invites both Greek and international scientists who possess the requisite qualifications and interest to express their intent for admission to well-structured Pre-Doctoral Postgraduate Programs (PPPs) in high-caliber scientific and technological disciplines across various individual Departments and Sectors of the Institution, as well as for Interdepartmental Postgraduate Programs (IPPs) encompassing interdisciplinary, interdepartmental, or inter-university domains.
Administrative Support for Postgraduate Studies at NTUA
The elevation of Pre-Doctoral Postgraduate Programs (PPPs) and the inauguration of Interdepartmental Postgraduate Programs (IPPs) at NTUA received substantial administrative backing from the institution's administration. Through decisions made on October 30th, 1998 (agenda item 3) and January 15th, 1999 (agenda item 5), the administrative functionality of the corresponding Secretariats of the Departments underwent an upgrade to sub-directorates. Under the revised nomenclature of 'Departmental Administrative Services,' these now incorporate a Central Secretariat Unit alongside four (4) auxiliary offices supporting diverse departmental functions, including the 'Postgraduate Studies Office.' Concurrently, following the restructuring of NTUA's Administrative Services, the Department of Studies advanced to become the Directorate of Studies, housing a specialized division dedicated to the institution's Postgraduate Studies.
Moreover, per document number 23421/14.12.98 issued by the Rector, publicly communicated during the Senate's session on December 23rd, 1998, and duly ratified, the personnel of the Administrative Services (Secretariats) in each Department were strengthened through the recruitment of staff via the Operational Programme for Education and Initial Vocational Training (O.P.E.I.V.T.) specifically allocated for the respective Interdepartmental Postgraduate Programs (IPPs).
The support provided by the Office of Postgraduate Studies of each Department includes the following key actions:
- Process for Announcing Positions for Postgraduate Students (P.S.)
- Collection and verification of candidate credentials for Postgraduate Students
- Enrollment procedures for selected candidates and regular updates at the start of each academic term
- Compilation and maintenance of enrolled PS lists categorized by Program and course
- Maintenance of individual student records throughout their study tenure
- Generation and issuance of P.S. grade reports
- Compilation and management of schedules and examination details for Pre-Doctoral Postgraduate Programs (PPPs) and Interdepartmental Postgraduate Programs (IPPs)
- Issuance of various certificates and attestations upon request, duly signed by the Department Secretary
- Handling procedures related to loan applications and scholarship allocations
- Maintenance and management of a comprehensive computerized P.S. archive
- Active support provided to the General Assemblies of Special Composition (G.A.S.C.) of the Departments
- Support extended to the Postgraduate Program Committees (P.P.C.) of the Departments
- Provision of comprehensive information and data pertaining to the Department's Postgraduate Studies
- Procedures involved in granting Specialized Postgraduate Diploma (S.P.D.) and Doctoral degrees (Ph.D.), including title conferment and appointment processes
- Regular updates and maintenance of records for Specialized Postgraduate Diplomas and PhDs