20 Years of the N.T.U.A. Interdisciplinary Post Graduate Programme “Protection of Monuments”

Abstract

The National Technical University of Athens Postgraduate Master Program “Protection of Monuments”, organized by the School of Architectural Engineering with co-organization by the School of Chemical Engineering and collaboration with the Schools of Civil Engineering and Rural-Surveying Engineering has offered to the Greek society and to the field of preservation of cultural heritage, 20 years of creative interdisciplinary education of engineers, archaeologists, conservators, natural scientists and other scientists of related disciplines. It provides advanced education and specialization, develops competencies and skills to solve complex problems, in order to educate researchers and professionals in conservation and restoration of architectural heritage and historic materials. The interdisciplinary approach is divided in two Directions of Studies: Direction A “Conservation and restoration of historic buildings”; Direction B “Materials and conservation interventions”. The curriculum of multidisciplinary courses is constantly updated and renewed according to scientific-technological advancements, innovative holistic digital methodologies and international standards. It includes core subjects aiming to scientific specialization and optional subjects aiming to extend and deepen knowledge. During the last 20 years of continuous operation, it has created new successful trends in the development of an interdisciplinary educational system and the infusion of innovation in the process of creative and sustainable preservation of Cultural Heritage. It has also helped to create a new generation of engineers and other experts technologically and scientifically skilled, open minded and collaborative with a creative and visionary approach to the Protection of Monuments. In the near future the program will also be offered to international students.