ACADEMIC ADVISOR
Aim
The Academic Advisors, in collaboration with the Student Support Services of the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, offer advice and support to the students with a view to facilitating their integration in the Postgraduate Program; they provide information to students on issues pertaining to their course of studies and their professional career; they pay particular attention to, and provide extra support for, students facing personal, family or related difficulties that may affect their academic performance. Academic Advisors expend special effort in suggesting or providing solutions to crucial problems that might arise. However, they are not in a position to ensure in advance that all problems will be successfully resolved.
Mode of Operation
During the first week of the Winter Semester, the Program Director, after consultation with the academic members participating in the Program, assigns an Academic Advisor to each student who is in the first semester of his or her studies. The Academic Advisor meets (in person, or online) each student, on a one-to-one basis, at least once during each academic semester, advises and supports the student on issues of course attendance, of choice among available courses, and of general academic prospects. The Academic Advisor bears the responsibility of monitoring the student’s academic progress.
The Role of the Academic Advisor
The Academic Advisor is responsible for providing all of the following:
- Support in facilitating the students’ smooth integration in the Program during their first semester of studies.
- Information about the content of compulsory and elective courses, participation in workshops, optimal use of the Department’s infrastructure, and evaluation methods for each course; encouragement to students to participate in progression tests and exercise sets; supportive tutoring where applicable, with the overall aim of enhancing a student’s understanding and of securing the successful completion of the courses that a student might find challenging.
- Help with the making of an informed choice of courses that will reduce the possibility of failure at the exams, so that students’ choices are attuned to their specific interests and academic capabilities.
- Discussion of the exam results.
- Help with the choice of the Dissertation Topic.
- Information about career prospects (opportunities in the public or private sector, free-lance employment, working abroad).
- Discussion of any issue that might create obstacles to the successful completion of the program of studies.
- Help with issues about the Teaching Faculty.
- Information about the University Student Support Service.
The Academic Advisor may also invite a student to a consultation meeting if that is requested by a faculty member who assesses the student’s performance as problematic (continuing absences, suboptimal results in course tasks).
In exceptional circumstances, and following upon a well-grounded request by a student, a different Academic Advisor may be assigned to that student.
Protection of Personal Data
When the tasks specified under sections 2 and 3 above are fulfilled, the student’s personal data and confidentiality are fully protected, as determined by law. The protection is in place both during and after the completion of the Academic Advisor’s tasks.
Regulations for the system of Academic Advisors [pdf]
