Promostudi, NATO Ink Deal for Maritime Research

On 13 March RAdm Hank Ort (Rtd), director of the NATO Centre for Maritime Research & Experimentation (CMRE) and Mr. Dino Nascetti, president of Promostudi foundation, signed a three-year framework agreement between the two entities.

The protocol makes provision for joint innovation activities and research in the maritime environment with reciprocal exchange for educational and scientific purposes, both nationally and internationally. In particular, opportunities will be developed for cooperation in issues of common interest such as robotics, underwater acoustics, underwater systems, and more generally in systems engineering and ICT (information and communication technologies).

“This agreement will establish the framework for the development of innovative new technologies in a variety of scientific fields” stated RAdm (Rtd) Hank Ort. “The benefits to both institutions are numerous with the free exchange of knowledge among scientists and researchers in both institutions paramount. Knowledge exchange ensures high academic standards are maintained and innovative technologies are developed to face the modern challenges.”

"I am particularly pleased the signing of this agreement, will open Promostudi collaboration with one of the most important centres of maritime research of the Western world” said Mr Nascetti. “This cooperation will enable our researchers to work more widerly beyond naval engineering, architecture and mechanical engineering. To collaborate with CMRE will also be an important stimulus for the teaching of the University of La Spezia and I hope that the international scientific staff of the NATO Centre will enable us, in time, not only to consolidate our presence in the field of underwater systems research, underwater acoustics and advanced robotics, but also to enrich our educational system in an international vision.”

After signing the agreement, for the first time Ole Hastrup awards were given to the best thesis in 2014 in the Mechanical Engineering and Yacht Design courses. Ole Hastrup, a former Danish scientist at the NATO Centre, recently deceased, is considered one of the world's leading experts in the field of underwater acoustics and physics. Scientific documentation donated by Mrs Hastrup will be housed in the new Promostudi teachersresearchers hall, inaugurated on this occasion.