| Name | National Technical University of Athens |
| Type | Public university |
| Focus | Applied sciences • Engineering • Innovation |
| Campus | Modern, outside of Athens |
| Acronym | NTUA |
| Founded | 1837 |
| Location | Athens, Greece |
| Reputation | Innovative, produced many technological leaders |
| Affiliations | Greek industry • Greek military |
The National Technical University of Athens (NTUA), also known as the Athens Polytechnic, is the leading technological university in Greece. Founded in 1982, it is a relatively young institution compared to other technical schools in the country, but has quickly established itself as a premier center for education and research in the applied sciences.
The NTUA was established by the Greek government in 1982 as part of a broader initiative to modernize the country's higher education system and drive technological advancement. Prior to this, Greece had relied on a small number of older technical universities, most notably the National Metsovio Polytechnic University founded in 1836.
However, as Greece emerged from decades of military dictatorship in the 1970s, there was a push to create new, specialized institutions to support the country's industrialization and economic development goals. The NTUA was envisioned as a more practically-oriented and industry-focused counterpart to the more theoretically-inclined National Metsovio.
The university was initially housed in temporary facilities in central Athens before moving to its current purpose-built campus in the suburban Zografou neighborhood in 1987. This allowed the NTUA to expand its programs and research capabilities on a modern, spacious site.
The NTUA's main campus in Zografou covers over 600 acres (243 hectares) and features state-of-the-art educational, research and residential facilities. Key buildings include:
The campus also hosts numerous technology-focused businesses and startups through its innovation park and incubator programs, blending education, research, and industry.
The NTUA is organized into 9 schools covering a range of engineering and applied science disciplines:
Each school offers bachelor's, master's, and doctoral degree programs, as well as specialized professional tracks and executive education. Admission is highly competitive, with the NTUA attracting the top students from across Greece.
Research is a core part of the NTUA's mission, with a focus on applied and translational projects with real-world applications. The university maintains strong ties to major Greek industries, the Greek military, and government agencies, frequently collaborating on R&D initiatives.
Key research areas include renewable energy, advanced materials, automation and robotics, transportation infrastructure, and defense technologies. The NTUA also runs a number of specialized research centers, including the National Center for Scientific Research, the Hellenic Institute of Transport, and the Electric Power Systems Laboratory.
The NTUA has played a pivotal role in driving technological innovation and advancement in Greece. Many of the country's most prominent engineers, scientists, entrepreneurs, and policymakers are alumni, including:
Through its industry partnerships, research breakthroughs, and influential alumni, the NTUA has been instrumental in cementing Greece's reputation as an innovative force in engineering, technology and applied sciences on the global stage.
