Seven Institutions
Building One Network
COVE-EXSEE connects research institutes, federations and universities across six countries to strengthen vocational excellence in welding, joining and non-destructive testing.
A Consortium of Seven
Institutions, Six Countries
Coordinated by ISIM Timișoara, the partnership unites research centres, universities, industry federations and innovation hubs, each bringing complementary expertise in welding, joining, non-destructive testing and vocational training.
ISIM Timișoara
Founded in 1970, ISIM Timișoara is Romania's national R&D institute for welding and material testing, and the country's representative to the International Institute of Welding (IIW). Certified to ISO 9001 and ISO 17025, its ISIM CERT body certifies over 60 organisations to EN ISO 3834, and its training centre has been an EWF National Authorised Body since 1997, awarding dozens of IWE, IWS and IWI-C/EWI-C certificates every year.
European Federation for Welding, Joining and Cutting
European Federation for Welding, Joining And Cutting (EWF) is an international non-profit umbrella association dedicated to solving welding-related problems and removing technical barriers within its fields of competence, through the exchange of scientific and technical information and the preparation of harmonised rules for the education, training and certification of welding and joining personnel.
International Institute of Welding
International Institute of Welding (IIW) is a not-for-profit organisation whose members are the national associations representing welding and allied processes, recognised as the largest network worldwide and centre of reference for joining technologies. It connects researchers, industry practitioners and educators from over 53 countries to advance standardisation, training, qualification and certification.
Centre for Research and Technology Hellas
One of Greece's leading research centres, The Centre for Research & Technology, Hellas (CERTH) spans five institutes covering chemical processes and energy, ICT, transport, applied biosciences and bioeconomy/agrotechnology. Competitive national and European research programmes account for 77.6% of its revenue, and its 531 staff include 21 industry spin-offs born from technology-transfer agreements.
Middle East Technical University
Founded in 1956, Middle East Technical University (METU/ODTÜ) is an international research-intensive university with 461 international projects underway, including 229 EU Framework Programme projects worth €900M in total. A founding member of the Alliance of Turkish Research Universities, it holds the EU's HR Excellence in Research Award and has a strong track record in Erasmus and cross-border research cooperation.
Helixconnect Balkans D.O.O.
Helixconnect Balkans D.O.O. is a local branch of Helixconnect Europe (Romania-based) which emerged as a need for a better hands-on approach to facilitating innovation, helping organisations grow and enabling a proper integration among innovators, NGOs, industry and government in Western Balkans and Eastern Europe. Our vision is to bridge global innovation systems and enable global knowledge and technology transfer in Eastern Europe and the Western Balkans.
Istituto Italiano della Saldatura
Istituto Italiano della Saldatura (IIS) is a recognised centre of excellence in welding, non-destructive testing and advanced manufacturing, offering EWF/IIW/ESA-recognised training in techniques from friction stir to laser and hybrid welding, AI/ML-enhanced quality control, and accredited NDT and calibration laboratories, alongside VR/AR-based immersive training for welding and NDT personnel.