The University of Leicester and the University of Western Macedonia (UoWM) have formalized a strategic partnership aimed at advancing education, research, and innovation, with a joint Master's programme in Welding Engineering and Non-Destructive Testing (NDT) serving as the first major initiative under the collaboration.
The partnership follows the successful approval of a Collaboration Agreement by the Greek Ministry of Education in December 2025 as part of the European Commission’s Greece Recovery and Resilience 2.0 programme, which supports high-impact international cooperation between higher education institutions.
A Terms of Reference agreement was signed in Athens by Professor Dirk Schaefer, Pro-Vice-Chancellor and Head of the College of Science and Engineering at the University of Leicester, and Professor Theodoros Theodoulidis, Rector of the University of Western Macedonia, establishing the framework for future cooperation between the two institutions.
The joint Master's programme in Welding Engineering and Non-Destructive Testing will combine expertise from both universities to address growing global demand for highly skilled engineering professionals. The programme is expected to support workforce development across sectors including manufacturing, energy, infrastructure, transportation, and advanced technologies, where welding and inspection expertise play a critical role in ensuring quality, reliability, and safety.
The collaboration is being developed within a Transnational Education framework, providing students with internationally connected learning opportunities and access to academic expertise from both institutions.
Speaking at the signing ceremony, Professor Schaefer highlighted the broader significance of the partnership.
"This collaboration reflects a shared commitment to academic excellence, innovation, and the development of future-focused capabilities that create value for students, industry, and society. By bringing together the strengths of our two institutions, we are creating new opportunities for international education and knowledge exchange while addressing important skills needs within industry."
According to both institutions, discussions leading to the agreement were characterized by a shared ambition to deliver internationally relevant, high-quality education while creating opportunities for broader academic cooperation.
Beyond the Master's programme, the universities also identified potential areas for future collaboration in research, innovation, advanced manufacturing, engineering technologies, and other fields of mutual interest.
Professor Schaefer further emphasized the importance of long-term cooperation, stating:
"Successful partnerships are built on trust, shared ambition, and the commitment of colleagues working together towards common goals. We are grateful for the warm hospitality extended by our colleagues at the University of Western Macedonia and look forward to developing this partnership in the years ahead."
For the NDT sector, the initiative represents a notable step toward expanding specialist education and developing future talent in welding engineering and inspection technologies. The partnership also reflects the increasing importance of international collaboration in addressing industry demand for skilled professionals capable of supporting critical infrastructure, manufacturing, and industrial quality assurance requirements.
The agreement aligns with the University of Leicester’s broader strategy of building impactful international partnerships that enhance education, research, and innovation while supporting the needs of industry and society.
