The Conference on "Internal Audit System & Integrity Advisor in Universities - Legal Framework, Data, Challenges & Perspectives", co-organized by the National Transparency Authority and the University of West Attica (PADA), had a great success.
The initiative aimed at informing the employees of the PADA, as well as the employees of Greek Universities in general, regarding the implementation and operation of the regulatory framework set by Law 4795/2021 "Internal Audit System of the Public Sector, Integrity Advisor in public administration and other provisions for public administration and local government" in the country's Higher Education Institutions.
At the same time, the aim of the workshop was to highlight the usefulness of the Internal Audit (IA) function in good governance and financial management, as well as the essential role of the new institution of the Integrity Advisor.
The Governor of the ΝΤΑ, Mr. Angelos Binis, in his address thanked the Rector of the University of West Attica, Panagiotis Kaldis, noting that he was one of the first to approach the NTA seeking opportunities for cooperation and development of joint actions.
Referring to the main topic of the workshop, Mr. A. Binis noted that "Greece has been trying since 2006 to develop practices and procedures of an integrated internal audit system that touches the entire functions of an institution, without substantial results".
As stated by the Governor of the NΤΑ "Today, the three main components for the success of this project are present. An integrated and coherent institutional framework and an active community of professionals joining forces and sharing their expertise."
Mr. A. Binis stressed that "ΝΤΑ has developed a series of practical tools and models adapted to the needs and specificities of the Greek public administration". Finally, he noted that "ΝΤΑ seeks opportunities, such as today's event, to raise awareness among faculty members and all staff of University Institutions of the value that Internal Audit adds to efforts to improve the governance structures and processes of the country's universities".
The Rector of the University of West Attica Mr. Panagiotis Kaldis thanked the Governor of the National Transparency Authority for the two-year cooperation, so that the University of West Attica is an exemplary public institution in not making mistakes and constantly improving. He also noted that "We need procedures to reduce the risk from everyday life both administratively and financially. Not to be exposed to vulnerable procedures let alone at a time when the pandemic is still there, financial constraints are a given and understaffing in some critical areas exist."
The Head of the General Directorate of Integrity and Accountability of the National Transparency Authority, Ms. Maria Konstantinidou, presented the conclusions that emerge one year after the adoption of the law on the Internal Audit System and the operation of the Internal Audit Units as well as the new institution introduced by the same law, the “Integrity Advisor”.
Ms. Konstantinidou, focused particularly on the integrity and accountability mechanisms that through this institutional framework were developed in PADA, noting that "today, the PADA's staff have been certified as internal auditors by the NTA, have drafted a regulation for the Unit's operation and are participating in the pilot project program organized by the NTA. In addition, the PADA is the first University to request the establishment of an Independent Integrity Advisor Office and currently the call for expressions of interest issued by the Governor of the NTA, Mr. A. Binis, is in progress in order to staff it".