Signing of a Memorandum of Understanding

PRESS RELEASE
Pyrgos, Tinos, April 30, 2026

Memorandum of Cooperation between the Higher School of Fine Arts and Marble Crafts of Panormos, Tinos and the UNESCO Chair “Creative Cities in Motion: Urban Sustainable Mobility and Utilization of Cultural Resources” of the University of Piraeus.

Signing of a Strategic Memorandum of Cooperation between the Higher School of Fine Arts and Marble Crafts of Panormos Tinos, a Public School of Higher Artistic Education of the Ministry of Culture, and the UNESCO Chair “Creative Cities in Motion: Urban Sustainable Mobility and Utilization of Cultural Resources”, of the University of Piraeus, through the Laboratory “Digital Culture, Smart Cities, IoT and Advanced Digital Technologies and Services”, and the Postgraduate Studies Program (MSC) “Digital Culture, Smart Cities, IoT and Advanced Technologies”.

Today, Thursday 30 April 2026 at 10:00 a.m. in Pyrgos, Tinos, the Agreement/Memorandum of Cooperation (MoU) was signed between the following entities:

from the Higher School of Fine Arts of Marble Crafts of Panormos, Tinos, represented by the Director of the School, Mr. Leonidas Chalepas, and on the other hand

from the UNESCO Chair “Creative Cities in Motion: Urban Sustainable Mobility and Utilization of Cultural Resources” represented by the Chair Holder of the UNESCO Chair, Professor Dimitrios D. Vergados, Director of the Laboratory “Digital Culture, Smart Cities, IoT and Advanced Digital Technologies and Services”, and of the Postgraduate Studies Program (MSc) “Digital Culture, Smart Cities, IoT and Advanced Technologies” of the University of Piraeus.

This collaboration aims to create an innovative framework where the intangible and tangible cultural heritage of Tinian Marble Art meets the digital age.

The main axes of the Memorandum include:

The digital recording, three-dimensional (3D) imaging and promotion of marble art works through advanced digital technologies.

The exchange of know-how for the integration of Internet of Things (IoT) applications and smart technologies in the preservation of cultural heritage.

The joint participation in research programs, conferences and educational activities that promote digital culture and sustainable development.

The internship and collaboration of students of the Postgraduate Program of the University of Piraeus with students of the Panormos School.

The collaboration and the transfer and exchange of know-how and experience on issues of common interest

For his part, the Director of the School, Mr. Leonidas Halepas, underlined:

"The art of marble has deep roots in the Tower of Tinos. Our partnership with the University of Piraeus and the UNESCO Chair “Creative Cities in Motion: Urban Sustainable Mobility and Utilization of Cultural Resources” offers us digital tools for recording and preserving our art, for experimentation with the aim of its evolution and for researching new possibilities of implementation or even inspiration."

Professor Dimitrios D. Vergados stated in this regard:

"The signing of this Memorandum is a milestone for the UNESCO Chair “Creative Cities in Motion: Urban Sustainable Mobility and Utilization of Cultural Resources”, but also for the Laboratory “Digital Culture, Smart Cities, IoT and Advanced Digital Technologies and Services”, and the homonymous Postgraduate Program of the University of Piraeus. This collaboration gives us the opportunity to exchange knowledge and experiences within the framework of the UNESCO Chair. The purpose of the collaboration with the emblematic Higher School of Fine Arts of Marble Crafts of Panormos Tinos is to promote sustainable creative development, utilizing new technologies and services, innovative and climate-neutral ecosystems, strengthening the creative industry and advanced digital skills, promoting the preservation and enhancement of cultural heritage.

The signing of the Memorandum confirms the commitment of the two parties and the start of cooperation between UNESCO, academic research in the field of Cultural Technologies and especially artistic creation, actively supporting the goals of sustainable cultural development.

30 Apr 2026