University of Leicester and University of Western Macedonia sign strategic partnership agreement

The University of Leicester has marked the start of a strategic partnership with the University of Western Macedonia (UoWM) which will see the development of a joint Master’s programme in Welding Engineering and Non-Destructive Testing and pave the way for further opportunities in education, research and innovation.

A Terms of Reference outlines the basis of future cooperation following on from successful approval of Collaboration Agreement by Greek Ministry of Education in December 2025 as part of European Commission’s Greece Recovery and Resilience 2.0 programme, supporting high-impact international collaboration between leading HE institutions.

The 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. 

The partnership's first major initiative will be the development of a joint Master's programme in Welding Engineering and Non-Destructive Testing. The programme will combine expertise from both institutions to address growing international demand for highly skilled engineering professionals in sectors including manufacturing, energy, infrastructure, transportation, and advanced technologies.

Speaking at the signing ceremony, Professor Schaefer emphasised that the agreement represents far more than a formal partnership between two universities.

He said: "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."

The collaboration is being developed within the framework of Transnational Education, enabling students to benefit from internationally connected learning experiences and access expertise from both universities.

The University of Leicester and the University of Western Macedonia have worked closely over recent months to establish the foundations for the partnership, with discussions characterised by a strong spirit of collaboration and a shared ambition to deliver high-quality, internationally relevant education.

While the joint Master's programme provides the initial focus, discussions during the visit also highlighted opportunities for broader collaboration in research, innovation, advanced manufacturing, engineering technologies, and other areas of mutual interest. Both institutions expressed enthusiasm for exploring additional opportunities that can build on the strong foundation established through the MoU.

Professor Schaefer added: "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."

The agreement reflects the University of Leicester's continuing commitment to international collaboration and its ambition to create impactful global partnerships that enhance education, research, and innovation for the benefit of students, communities, and industry.

Professor Theodoros Theodoulidis, Rector of the University of Western Macedonia, said: “Knowledge creates value only when it is shared, challenged and applied. Universities therefore have a responsibility not only to generate knowledge, but to build the partnerships that turn it into opportunity. Our collaboration with the University of Leicester brings together complementary strengths in education and research, creating new possibilities for students, academics and industry. It demonstrates what international cooperation can achieve when institutions share a common ambition: to prepare people for the challenges of tomorrow and contribute solutions to a rapidly changing world.”