RINA has announced the signing of an important Memorandum of Understanding with the School of Naval Architecture and Marine Engineering (NA & ME School) of the National Technical University of Athens (NTUA). RINA is one of the oldest classification societies and a founding member of the International Association of Classification Societies and the memorandum forms a framework to support young engineers in gaining professional experience, a vital supplement to their studies.
Each year, RINA will offer places to last year students and recent graduates to be trained alongside experienced engineers at its offices in Greece and abroad. The period of on-the-job training will depend on the position but it will typically last a minimum of six months. Where possible, positions will be identified to support the specific focus of individual student’s degree to provide a deeper understanding of the subject. The time spent with RINA, however, will also aim to offer a broader view of opportunities to help students fully understand the options available to them.
NTUA is the largest technical university in Greece and has reputation for excellence. Students study over a period of five years to obtain 300 credit units, which leads to a master’s Diploma in accordance with the continental European system for training engineers. The framework of practical training for budding Naval Architects and Marine Engineers from the NA & ME School will add to their understanding of the application of their academic studies to the real world.
Nello Sulfaro, CEO at RINA Services, said: “RINA and the NA & ME School already have strong cooperation in research and training. This new Memorandum enhances the opportunities for undergraduates and graduates to further their training alongside experienced engineers. This will add focus to their academic studies and help them further realize the direction in which they wish to take their careers. This added dimension will be good for the school, and for the RINA business, which is always looking for bright, new engineers to support its global work.”
Professor Gregory Grigoropoulos, Dean of the NA & ME School, at NTUA, said: “We have worked with RINA for many years, but this new framework takes our relationship an important step in the right direction. The marine industry is a valuable part of the Greek economy. The experience our students will gain within RINA, will give an excellent insight into the real world of Naval Architecture and Marine Engineering. It adds another, more practical dimension to their academic studies and gives them the opportunity to work alongside top engineers from one of the leading classification societies. Such cooperation can only benefit all parties involved, including the broader marine industry.”
RINA provides a wide range of services across the Energy, Marine, Certification, Transport & Infrastructure and Industry sectors. With a turnover in 2018 of 440 million Euros, over 3,800 employees and 200 offices in 70 countries worldwide, RINA is a member of key international organizations and an important contributor to the development of new legislative standards.
The National Technical University of Athens (NTUA) is the oldest and largest Technical University in Greece and it shows a most distinguished record of achievements, going back to its foundation in 1837. NTUA was for long the only Technical University in the country, thus engineering education and research in Greece has always been linked to NTUA as the prime source of every major technological development.
The School of Naval Architecture and Marine Engineering (NA & ME) was formally founded in 1969, as part of the School of Mechanical and Electrical Engineering and became independent in 1982. Though the youngest School of NTUA, claims today a top per capital research position within the University. Furthermore, being the only academic institution in Greece in its field, it serves all national needs in the naval architecture, marine and ocean engineering fields and can be considered as a National Research Centre. It counts today over 800 students, 60 doctoral candidates and a permanent staff of 60, of which 24 are faculty members. The School of NA & ME is participating in various European Research Programs. The School of NA & ME operates three large-scale experimental Laboratories (Ship and Marine Hydrodynamics, Marine Engineering and Shipbuilding Technology), as well as a Ship Design Laboratory.