The Rector of the Academic Institution, Professor Andreas Floros and the Governor of the National Transparency Authority, Mr. Angelos Binis, signed a Memorandum of Cooperation for the support and improvement of the operation of the Internal Audit System and the newly established Internal Audit Unit of the Ionian University. The Memorandum was signed online on Wednesday, May 12, 2021. Present at the signing were Vice Rectors H. Giarenis and E. Makris from the Ionian University, as well as the NTA’s executives Mr. A. Kourtesis, Mrs. Eir. Diamanti, Mrs. M. Konstantinidou, Mrs. A. Lampropoulou, and Mrs. A. Vasileiou.
The purpose of the Memorandum is to develop a multi-level cooperation for the development of all individual components and procedures of an integrated Internal Audit System, of which the Inspections and Audits Unit of Ionian University will be a part. Its objectives include:
a) strengthening the critical governance components of the University in order to contribute to ensuring sound financial management,
b) improving the effectiveness of the processes applied,
c) strengthening security measures, and
d) preventing and fighting corruption.
The National Transparency Authority provides expertise and advisory services, including templates, standards, and methodological tools for internal audit issues. They also offer practical support for conducting internal audit missions for the Ionian University's Inspections and Audits Unit and provide training for the University’s Inspections and Audits Unit executives to plan and conduct internal audits.
"The objective and the declared priority of the Rectorate of Ionian University is to ensure the sound financial and administrative management of the institution's resources. This commitment is put into practice through the recent establishment of the Institution's Internal Control Unit and the consequent standardisation and optimisation of processes, the identification of risks in their implementation, as well as the strengthening of safety nets in order to prevent or combat malfunctions and potential corruption. In this way, the trust, transparency and accountability that should characterise the operation of a public university will be strengthened," said the Rector of Ionian University, Professor Andreas Floros, adding that "the collaboration with the National Transparency Authority, which has responded promptly with invaluable expertise, is particularly important to us, as it enhances the integrity and effectiveness of the project ".
The Governor of the National Transparency Authority, Mr. Angelos Binis, noted that: "The NTA has accepted with great pleasure the invitation from Ionian University to join forces in the development of an integrated Internal Audit System covering all functions and procedures of the University. It is very important that the management and senior staff of the University fully understand the multiple benefits and added value that the existence of effective internal audit procedures, as well as a strong Inspections and Audits Unit brings to the achievement of the mission and objectives, ensuring that these processes are properly applied and achieve their purpose”.