Identity and mission

The Department of Naval Architecture of the University of West Attica (UNIWA) was established in March 2018 by the National Law 4521 that founded UNIWA by the merger of the Technological Educational Institute of Athens and Piraeus University of Applied Sciences. It belongs to the School of Engineering and represents the development of the Department of Naval Architecture of the Technological Educational Institute of Athens (TEI Athens).

The Department of Naval Architecture aspires to be recognised for its excellent, solid education and its high-quality research in the field of Naval Architecture and Marine Engineering at both national and international levels.

Our mission is to provide excellent education and promote research in modern shipbuilding and, more generally, in the fields of marine environment and marine structures. To this end, through our quality policy, we make a coordinated effort to ensure that the curriculum is regularly reviewed, and revised, if necessary, a) according to the needs, interests and abilities of our students, b) to address the latest scientific and technological developments internationally, and c) to deal with the challenging and rapidly changing needs of the marine industry. A key characteristic in our curriculum is a well-balanced blend of theoretical and technical training that allows our students to face the current professional needs and prepares them to successfully adapt to significant changes that are most likely to happen during their professional life as engineers.

The knowledge areas covered by the Department, and are reflected in our curriculum and in our research, include methods of study & design, construction, retrofitting, certification and operation of ships and, in general, of marine structures and their systems. With the appropriate teaching methods, workshops, internships and research, we provide our students with all the necessary resources (knowledge – skills – abilities), that allow them to pursue a successful scientific and professional career and development. The Department has a noteworthy laboratory infrastructure to support its educational and research activities.

As part of its mission, the Department of Naval Architecture:

• Monitors the international developments in the scientific and educational field.
• Works systematically to maintain and further improve the high quality of its undergraduate studies program.
• Assesses and implements modern technologies in education.
• Supports students to develop the abilities and skills that will make them competent both nationally and internationally.
• Conducts high-quality research.
• Develops partnerships with other Universities and Research Institutes in Greece and abroad.
• Collaborates with private and public sector bodies in the marine industry.
• Constantly being prepared for new changes in educational, economic, and social conditions in national and international environments.

Fields of employment that our graduates usually find jobs in Greece and abroad are:

• Shipyards: surveyors, supervisors of new construction or repairs.
• Technical offices: surveyors, supervisors, experts, claims, estimates.
• Public sector: Department of Merchant Shipping (mainly Merchant Shipping Control Branch, Coast Guard), Navy, Education and Research Institutes.
• Shipping companies: ship operation and maintenance managers, new construction or repair supervisors, claims, estimates, etc.
• Appraisers: Departments for approval of studies and plans, inspections, departments of research and development, etc.
• Companies of the broader maritime sector: e.g., companies trading machinery and ship equipment systems. Provision of specialized technical support services to shipping companies, shipyards and shipbuilding offices.
• Offshore construction-renewable energy sources: Oil and gas extraction platforms, energy from the wind (offshore wind farms) and from the waves.