Regulation of Studies

ARISTOTLE UNIVERSITY OF THESSALONIKI

School of Agriculture

Regulation of Graduate Studies (according to the provisions of Law 4957/2022) of the Postgraduate Studies Program

«Soil, Water, Energy Resources and Agricultural Environment Management»

General Provisions

In accordance with Law 4957/21-07-2022, the Regulation of Graduate Studies (RGS), and the applicable legislation, the following internal regulation governs the Postgraduate Studies Program (PSP) titled “Soil, Water, Energy Resources and Agricultural Environment Management” at the School of Agriculture, Faculty of Agriculture, Forestry, and Natural Environment, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki. This Internal Regulation outlines the structure and specifies the operational details of the PSP “Soil, Water, Energy Resources and Agricultural Environment Management” at the School of Agriculture. The articles and provisions of this Regulation fully comply with current legislation.

Article 1

Objective-Aim of the Program

The School of Agriculture, Faculty of Agriculture, Forestry, and Natural Environment organizes and operates PSP with the title “Soil, Water, Energy Resources and Agricultural Environment Management”.

The objective of the PSP is the promotion of knowledge, the development of research and arts, as well as the satisfaction of the educational, research, societal, cultural and developmental needs of the country. Specifically, the aim of the program is the high standards training of scientist that will be cable to excel in theoretical and applied geotechnical sciences, and specifically in the subjects of agricultural hydraulics, soil science, and agricultural engineering. All of the above subjects are connected to the study of basic and applied research in management of water and soil resources, in biosystems engineering, and the utilization of renewable energy systems in agriculture, within the frame of sustainable development and protection of the agricultural environment.

The learning outcomes and the skills of those who graduated from the program are to be able to provide technically sound solutions and services in the subjects of soil science, water resources, agricultural engineering, in protecting and saving soil and water, in good practices in fertilizer applications, in preventing and minimizing soil degradation, in good practices in waste management (manure, sewage sludge, etc), in good practice in energy resources management, in actions for the amelioration of climate change effects or the adjustment of agriculture to climate change, including life cycle assessment and storage of organic carbon in soils, using byproducts, waste, residues and other materials for cyclic bio-economy, and minimizing greenhouse gas emissions from agricultural activities, in combination with modernizing farms, improving sustainability, competitiveness and innovation.

The program graduates will develop skills in automations in agriculture, satellite monitoring of agricultural resources with earth observation systems and their spatial analysis with geo-informatics techniques, applications of sensor networks and artificial intelligence in precision agriculture, management of supply chain, agricultural machinery, mechanical harvesting, energy conservation from renewable resources and in agricultural applications and constructions, the design of modern greenhouse facilities, the design and construction of animal husbandry buildings, the design and operation of irrigation and drainage networks, the utilization and management of groundwater, the design of hydraulic structures in agriculture, the simulation of movement and pollutants of surface and ground waters, the intergraded management of water resources and the development and utilization of simulations of water systems in the level of drainage basements, the incorporation of modern methodologies of optimizing and advanced technologies of spatial and time related observation of parameters in drainage and water resources, the design of small scale agricultural waste management systems, the use of hydroinformatics methods in simulation and optimization of water systems, the utilization of industry byproducts and waste in improving soil fertility, the integrated management of soil nutrients, the study and protection of soil biodiversity, the utilization of soil microbes in agriculture and broadly in producing, developing and spreading knowledge, methodologies, tools and research results in the scientific field of agricultural sciences. In addition, they will be able to provide high quality services, of high scientific standards, in companies, Greek State offices, (ministry of agriculture, districts), or in other national or European services the deal with soil science, water resources, energy and agricultural environment.

This program will also prepare its graduates for PhD studies, enabling them to pursue a PhD in a great array of subjects.

Article 2

Awarded Title PSP

The PSP awards a Diploma of Postgraduate Studies titled “Soil, Water, Energy Resources and Agricultural Environment Management” and the Diploma Supplement for all its graduates in Greek and English language. The successful graduation from the PSP leads to a level seven (7) National and European Qualification Framework, according to article 47 of legislation 4763/2020 (Α΄254).

Article 3

Organizational structure of the Program

Competent Bodies for the administration, organization and operation of the Program are:

The Institution’s Senate, responsible for academic, administrative, and organizational aspects of all Postgraduate Degree Programs, exercises all powers related to the Program that are not delegated by law to other entities.
The Postgraduate Studies Committee, established by Senate decision, includes the relevant Vice-Chancellor acting as President, one member of the Teaching Research Staff from each School of the Institution, and one member from the categories of Special Educational Staff, Laboratory Teaching Staff, and Special Technical Laboratory Staff. Committee members possess experience in organizing and participating in second-cycle Programs. The Committee’s term of office is two (2) academic years.

III. The Assembly of the School, which has the following responsibilities:

sets up Committees for evaluating the applications of prospective postgraduate students and approves their registration in the Program,
assigns the teaching work to the teachers of the Program,
recommends to the Senate amendments of the decision establishing the Program, as well as the extension of the duration of the Program
sets up examination committees for the examination of postgraduate students’ theses and appoints the supervisor for each thesis,
verifies the successful completion of the studies, in order to award the Master’s Degree,
approves the report of the Program, following the recommendation of the Coordinating Committee.

By decision of the School’s Assembly, the responsibilities of paragraphs. a) and d) may be transferred to the Coordinating Committee of the Program.

The Coordinating Committee (C.C) of the Program consists of the Director of the Program and four (4) members of the School (two (2) from Department of Field Crops and Ecology and (2) from Department of Horticulture and Viticulture) who have a related subject to that of the Program and undertake teaching work at the Program. Emeritus Professors of the School or collaborating Schools may participate in the Committee, as long as they undertake teaching work in the Program. The members of the Committee are appointed by the decision of the School’s Assembly. The relevant documents with the following title are signed by the Director of the PG.S.P.

The Coordinating Committee has the following responsibilities:

prepares the initial annual budget of the Program and its amendments, whenever the Program has financial resources in accordance with article 84 of Law 4957/2022, and recommends its approval by the Special Account for Research Funds (ELKE),
prepares the report of the Program and recommends its approval by the School’s Assembly,
approves the expenditure of the Program,
approves the granting of scholarships, remunerative or non-remunerative, in accordance with the founding decision of the Program and the Regulation of Master’s and Doctoral Studies Programs,
recommends to the School’s Assembly the distribution of teaching work, as well as the assignment of teaching work to the categories of teachers as they are described in article 83 of Law 4957/2022,
recommends to the Assembly of the School the invitation of Visiting Professors to meet the teaching needs of the Program,
draws up a plan to amend the curriculum, which is submitted to the School’s Assembly,
recommends to the Assembly of the School the redistribution of courses between academic semesters, as well as issues related to the curriculum’s quality enhancement.
The Director of Program who is a member of the Teaching Research Staff of the School preferably a Professor or an Associate Professor and is appointed by decision of the School’s Assembly for a two-year term, with the possibility of renewal without limitation and is not entitled to additional remuneration for his administrative work.

The Director has the responsibilities provided for in article 82 par. 4 of Law 4957/2022 and any others defined in the decision establishing the Program:

presides over the Coordinating Committee, and prepares the agenda and convenes its meetings,
advises the issues concerning the organization and operation of the Program to the Assembly of the School,
recommends to Coordinating Committee and the other bodies of the Program and of A.E.I. issues related to the effective operation of the Program,
is the Scientific Officer of the Program in accordance with article 234 of Law 4957/2022 and exercises the corresponding powers,
monitors the implementation of the decisions of the bodies of the Program and of the Internal Regulation of Master’s and Doctoral Study Programs, as well as the monitoring of the implementation of the budget of the Program.

The Program Director and members of the Coordinating Committee do not receive remuneration or compensation for their assigned responsibilities and duties.

The Secretariat Support for the Program is offered by the School of Agriculture. The secretariat is responsible for managing graduate student records and grades, providing information to postgraduate students about the Categories of candidates who can be accepted to attend the Program are:

 Holders of first cycle degrees in Agriculture, Forestry and Natural Environment, Biology, and graduates related to the thematic scientific areas-subjects of the P.S.P. (Ecology and Environmental Protection, Agronomy, Floriculture, Viticulture, Pomology, Weed Science, Vegetable Crops, Beekeeping, Plant Physiology-Ecophysiology, and Biometry-Data Analysis and Agricultural Experimentation), of the country and recognized homologous departments abroad.

 Holders of first-cycle degrees from similar institutions abroad, relevant to the above-mentioned thematic scientific areas-subjects of the P.S.P., from an institution that belongs to the National Register of Recognized Institutions abroad and are posted on the website of the Hellenic National Academic Recognition and Information Center (DOATAP) in accordance with Law 4957/2022 and the current legislation

Article 4

Categories of Candidates in the Program

Categories of candidates who can be accepted to attend the Program are:

 Holders of first cycle degrees in Agriculture, Forestry and Natural Environment, Biology, Biotechnology, Geotechnical, Mathematics, Physics, Chemistry, Engineering, Geology, and graduates related to the thematic scientific areas-subjects of the PSP, of the country and recognized homologous departments abroad, or other similar institutions, after decision of the Coordinating Cometee.

Recognition of foreign first cycle (undergraduate degree) studies for registering with the PSP is performed by Faculty of Agriculture. In case the degree of the first cycle is from abroad, the candidate is not obliged to submit equivalence of diplomas from Δ.Ο.Α.Τ.Α.Π. Even if this is submitted, the recognition is still performed by Faculty of Agriculture.

The Academic Departments have the responsibility of the academic, and only of the academic, recognition of first cycle studies, and not of equivalency. For equivalence of diplomas the responsibility lays with ΔΟΑΤΑΠ.

Interested parties, that have already applied or are registered in PSP, under the provision of submitting and individual act of recognition by ΔΟΑΤΑΠ, are released from this obligation and their application or continuity of their studies, is examined based on the criteria of the new legislation.

Originality of the general fist circle of studies is certified through:

1.1. seal of the Hague,

1.2. submission of the degree and notification of the abroad University from the interested party. The notification is accompanied with an official email from the abroad University, allowing the secretariat of the Academic Department to check the originality.,

in case the specialty of the degree is needed to be known, this is checked through its mentioning on the diploma and the transcript of records, or the Diploma Supplement.
in case the final grade is needed, the process that was suggested by ΔΟΑΤΑΠ is used.
The academic recognition is related only to the particular process, is secured with a decision by the Assembly of the Department, and is not submited to the interested party. If the candidate requires a relative certificate, he/she must refer to ΔΟΑΤΑΠ for equivalency..

Applications may also be submitted by undergraduate students who have finished all requirements, but have not yet received their Degree, based on their transcript of records where it is shown that they will have their Degree from the Department where they are registered, until the beginning of classes in the PSP. The approval of their application in this case is temporary, and in case of their selection for admission, it is finalized after the Degree is submitted, until the end of enrollment in the PSP of the same year.

Article 5

Number of Admissions, Criteria and Admission Selection Procedure

The number of students admitted per year is limited to a minimum of six (6) and a maximum of twenty (20) postgraduate students.

The PSP, after suggestion by the C.C. and decision by the Department Assembly, announces openings through an open procedure. The announcement specifies the conditions for admission, the categories of eligible graduates, the number of admissions, the method of selection, the criteria for evaluation, the deadlines for submitting applications, and the required supporting documents. The announcement of the admission process is published on the P.S.P. and Departmental websites at the second half of August.

The applications, followed by the required documents, are submitted to the secretariat of the P.S.P., either electronically or in print. The application forms are made available through the secretariat.

The selection procedure for candidates, after confirmation by the Department Assembly (DA) of the suggestion of the C.C., is performed by a three-member Selection Committee that consists of the Director of the program, and two (2) faculty members that are involved in the program. The secretariat supplies the Selection Committee all applications and attached material. Candidates are required to file:

Application (form provided in the programs and Department’s web site).
A copy of the applicant’s first-degree diploma,. No Postgraduate Diploma is awarded by the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki to any student whose first-cycle degree from a foreign institution which has not been recognized by D.O.A.T.A.P (the Hellenic National Academic Recognition and Information Center or Hellenic NARIC) according to Law 3328/2005 (A’ 80).
A copy of the applicant’s MS degrees, if there are any.

The documents under points (2) and (3) must be submitted in the original language and, in case they are not issued in Greek for the AUTh, with an official translation in English.

A transcript of records for all his/her studies.
A complete curriculum vitae, in English, and a dossier with any published papers or works of the applicant, and
Certificate that proves knowledge of English or other languages (if there are any).

Α. Knowledge of the English language is certified with written exams (translation of a scientific text of general nature) and is graded as Pass (corresponding to a grade of 6 in a 1-10 scale) or Fail (that corresponds to a grade less than 6). Knowledge of English is a requirement for the further evaluation of candidates. Candidates with a C1 or C2 English language certificate, according to the Council of Europe system that are also accepted by the Greek state (Α.Σ.Ε.Π.), are exempted from the examination

Exempted from the English language exams are also those with:

BS in English language and literature, or BS in Foreign Languages, Translation and Interpreting or similar
BS, MS or PhD of an abroad institution recognized by D.O.A.T.A.P

iii. Diploma that corresponds to that of a Greek school of secondary education, if this haw been awarded after regular studies of at least six years abroad. License of competence in teaching of a foreign language does not prove knowledge of a foreign language (Π.Δ. 347/2003). Candidates that have such a license must provide the program with a certified copy and a translation of their certificate of studies based on which the license of competence in teaching of a foreign language has been issued.

Β. The examination in English is done be two faculty members that are appointed by the SC. The names of the candidates are covered by themselves at the examination. Every Examiner covers his grading immediately. The grades are uncovered from the Selection Committee at its meeting. In case of one Pass and one Fail grade, the examination sheet is given for re-grading to a teacher of English with the name of the candidate covered. The resulting grade is final.

Brief statement (up to 1000 words) where the candidates will state their scientific interests and the reasons of their application, including their aims, the expected benefits/learning outcomes, how the program is connected to their past, the skills that make the candidate appropriate to the program.
Scientific publications / Certificates of professional or research experience (if there are any)
Two letters of recommendation
Copy of police ID.
A recent photo.

12 A declaration (law 1599/86) where it is stated that all the certificates and paperwork that were submitted are original and prototypes, or a precise photocopy of the original prototypes

Foreign candidates must submit a certificate of knowledge of the Greek language, or a certificate of level at least B2.

Candidates that do not yet hold a first-cycle degree, a transcripts record will be accepted, and their registration will be finalized after they procure and provide their BS.

Selection criteria and process of evaluation

The selection committee forms a list with all candidates and, after thorough checking of their documents, rejects those who do not meet the minimum criteria that have been set by the Department and notifies the rest of the candidates for the mandatory personal interview.

For candidates to be accepted it is required that their grade of their first-cycle degree is at least six (6.0) in a 1-10 scale. If their degree is from abroad, it is required that it is registered with the National Register of Abroad Recognized Institutions of Higher Education and in the National Record of Titles of Abroad Recognized Institutions of Higher Education or that there is a relevant decision of the Department’s Assembly.

The number of candidates that may be accepted per year is 20 students. The graduate program shall not operate with less than six students.

The program cannot accept students that are simultaneously registered in other MS programs or PhD candidates in any other higher education School of the same or other Departments. Registered students of the program are not allowed until their exit from the program to be simultaneously registered in other MS programs or PhD candidates in any other higher education school.

The evaluation by the Selection Committee of the candidates that have submitted their applications and all required certificates and paperwork within the deadlines, is based on the following criteria and coefficients from which the final Selection grade is calculated (with a total of 100 points):

Ι. Degree grade (max 50 points)

Grade Χ 5 Χ coefficient (five year study ΑΕΙ=1, four year study: UniversityΙ=0.8, Τechnological Institution= 0.6)

ΙΙ. Relevance of studies (max 35 points)

Α) Degree from the Agronomy Department (Auth), division of Hydraulics, Soil science and Agricultural engineering and Department of Natural Resources Development and Agricultural Engineering of the Agricultural University of Athens or other Departments from abroad with the same subject: 35 points.

Β) Degrees from the Agronomy Department (Auth), all other divisions or of other Agricultural Departments: 28 points.

C) Degrees of non Agricultural Departments of 5year studies: 27 points.
D) Degress of non Agricultural Departments of 4year studies: 24 points.

Ε) Degrees from Technical Institutions: 18 points.

For every course in the transcripts that is relevant to the program 0.2 points are added and 0.6 for the dissertation, it is relevant to the program.

Maximum grade for degrees of:

Agricultural Departments of other divisions: 29 points.

Non Agricultural Departments of 5year studies: 28 μόρια

Non Agricultural Departments of 4year studies: 25 points.

Technical Institutions: 19 points.

ΙΙΙ. Interview and other qualifications (max 15 points)

Α) Interview (6 points)

Β) The 1000 word max Brief statement (max 3 points)

C) Research or professional experience within the subject of the program, or knowledge of a second or other foreign language, or a second degree, MS, PhD that are certified (max 4)
D) The two letters of recommendation (max 2 points: 1 x 2).

The grading system and the coefficients may change with a decision of the DA after suggestion of the SC.

The Selection Committee catalogues all candidates and after checking their files rejects those that do not meet the minimum requirements and invites those who do in an interview.

After the whole process and the evaluation, the Selection Committee classifies the candidates according to their total points on a list, which is submitted to the DA for verification/ The DA verifies the list and declares the acceptance of the candidates to the program. The list is then uploaded in the Department’s and the program’s web site. Objections may be filed within five (5) working days from the announcement of the results.

Accepted are candidates with a total number of points greater or equal to fifty (50). In addition, In case of equal grading in the last selected students, whoever has the highest BS degree to the second decimal, is admitted. In case of a tie, the issue is resolved with a draw. The list of successfoul candidates is certified by the Steering Committee, after the recommendation of the Selection Committee.

The accepted candidates may register with the secretariat within the to be announced deadline. In case of failure to keep the deadline, this will be taken as refusal and the next in the list is notified to proceed in registering.

Selection of Non-Greek Citizen Candidates

Non-Greek Citizen Candidates, with a degree of higher education from abroad, are selected with the same criteria, that is considering the BS degree, the grades in the relevant BS courses and dissertation, knowledge of foreign languages, scientific and professional experience, the quality of the Brief statement, their letters of recommendation.

In addition, non-Greek Citizen candidates must file a Greek language certificate, of at least B2 level. Non-Greek citizens that are graduates of Greek Universities are selected with the same criteria as those for Greek citizen graduates of Greek Universities.

Academic Timeline

Candidates for the Program submit the necessary documentation in the second half of September.

The examination for English and the interview are done in the first half of October.

The candidates that are selected enroll until the 25th of October. The individual declaration of courses for the first semester is filed to the secretariat of the Department until the first week of November. Classes start in the first week of November. With the beginning of classes, The Coordinating Committee appoints for every graduate student a faculty member of the Program as and Academic Advisor.

The duration of courses is a semester, and each semester includes at least a thirteen (13) weeks of teaching and may include lectures, laboratory exercises, tutorials, homework, exercises. Every course has three (3) hours of lectures weekly.

For every graduate student, a supervisor is appointed at the end of the first semest, who also monitors his/her individual program of studies. The declaration of courses of the second semester Is filed together with the appointment of the supervisor. The secretariat submits the list of registered students of every course of the second semester to the respective teachers within March.

For each postgraduate student, after the successful attendance and examination in all the courses of the individual study program and the completion of the Master’s Thesis, the Assembly of the School, after a recommendation by the Coordinating Committee of the Program and the supervisor, designates a Three-member Examination Committee.

Article 6

Enrollment, duration and terms of study

The duration of study at PG.S.P. which leads to the receipt of the Postgraduate Diploma is defined in three (3) semesters, which includes the time for preparing and evaluating the Master’s Thesis.

The maximum time allowed to complete the studies is six (6) semesters.

Postgraduate students are provided with the possibility of part-time study, for working students, the duration of which cannot exceed six (6) semesters of study. The terms and supporting documents to be submitted are determined by the Assembly of the School. Part-time study is also provided for non-working postgraduate students who are unable to meet the minimum requirements of the “full” study program and for special extremely serious cases, such as illness, workload, serious family reasons, military service and superior reasons violence, for which the Assembly of the School decides. Also, postgraduate students may be granted, upon submission of a relevant application, a temporary suspension of studies, which may not exceed two (2) consecutive semesters. During the suspension, the postgraduate student loses his/her student status. The time of the suspension is not counted towards the maximum duration of regular studies. With the resumption of studies, postgraduate students return to a normal study status with all the rights and obligations provided by the P.S.P. In exceptional cases, an extension of studies of up to one year is granted, following a reasoned decision of the Assembly of the School.

Postgraduate students’ applications for partial study, suspension or extension of studies are made before the start of the academic semesters.

The relevant School must ensure facilities for postgraduate students with disabilities and/or special educational needs..

Regarding the review of course completion or the dismissal of students, decisions are made by the Assembly of the School based on the proposal of the Coordinating Committee of the PG.S.P., which determines the conditions for review and the reasons for dismissal. Indicative reasons for dismissal include:

a) insufficient progress by the postgraduate student (documented by lack of participation in the educational process, such as failure to attend courses or complete examinations and assignments),
b) failure to meet other obligations as outlined by the relevant Regulations,
c) behavior that violates academic ethics, such as plagiarism, and
d) a request for withdrawal by the student themselves

Students are required to successfully attend (with a grade of at least 6.0) all courses of their program, within their teaching semester. In case of unsuccessful attendance (for example, a large number of absences and non-fulfilment of other duties, such as assignments, participation in progress, etc.) of a course, students are required to attend the course and be examined in it in the following semester in which they will the lesson is taught. This applies to a maximum of two courses in their postgraduate course program. In case of failure in the exams in one of these courses then the students are deleted.

In case of Bilateral Agreements ERASMUS+ και ERASMUS+ International of The relevant School for Post Graduate Studies, the Assembly, after recommendation of the C.C., decides on course equivalencies.

Postgraduate students have all the rights, benefits and facilities provided for students in the first cycle of studies, except for the right to provide free textbooks

Attending lectures, laboratory exercises and other activities of the P.S.P is mandatory. The maximum number of absences per course cannot exceed two (2). Absences above the maximum number must be approved by the C.C. with the submission by the students of all relevant documents that may provide an excuse. In this case, the student shall repeat the course. And the maximum duration of studies is extended to allow the repetition of the course of only one time. If there is no excuse for exceeding the maximum number of absences, the student is deleted from the registar.

The postgraduate students appoint two representative and their respective replacements, that will have the responsibility of communicating with the C.C. for matters of their interest.

Tuition Fees

The P.S.P. “Soil, Water, Energy Resources and Agricultural Environment Management” is self-funded through tuition fees. The cost of the program is mainly covered by tuition.

Tuition fees are with a total sum of one thousand and five hundred euros (1.500,00 €) for a foul circle of studies. Fees are paid by students themselves (or by a third party, physical or legal, on his behalf) in three equal instalments at he beginning of each course or dissertation academic semester and within ten (10) day from its beginning. It is possible to set more installments, after a student application and improvement from the of the Steering Committee. Fees are paid to the program’s account set by ELKE, AUTH.

Students may get a tuition waiver, if they fulfill economic or social criteria. Prerequisite for this privilege is holding a first degree with a grade corresponding to higher or equal to seven and half out ouf ten (7.5/10). The total number of beneficiaries shall not exceed that of thirty percent (30%) of the total number of enrolled students per academic year. Applications for tuition waiver are submitted after the conclusion of the process of enrollment. The criteria for tuition waiver are:

a) The average number of the sum of the taxable income of the last two (2) financial years of the total number of family members of the tuition waiver applicant, that is of the applicant him/herself, her/his parents, irrespective of filing a common or separate tax declaration, and his/her siblings up to twenty six (26) years of age, if they are not married and have the same taxable income by means of article 7 of legislation 4172/2013 (Α’ 167), does not exceed seventy percent (70%) of the national median available income, according to the most recent Greek Statistics Authority (EL.STAT), if the applicant has not fulfilled his twenty sixth (26th) yar of age and is not married or has not signed a civil partnership.
b) The average number of his personal taxable income of the last two (2) financial yars of the applicant does not exceed one hundred percent (100%) of the national median of available equitable income, according to the latest published EL.STAT data, if the applicant has fulfilled the twenty sixth (26th) year of age.
c) The average number of the sum of the taxable income of the last two (2) financial years of the applicant of the tuition waiver and his/her spouse or civil partner, if s/he is married or in civil partnership, regardless of filling a common or a separate tax declaration, does not exceed one hundred percent (100%) of the national median of available equivalent income, according to the latest published EL.STAT data.

If the tuition waiver applicant has not fulfilled his twenty sixth (26th) year of age and is a child of a family with three or more children or child of a single parent or an orphan by at least one (1) parent or a person with disabilities or a member of a household with a person with disability, s/he may apply for half (50%) the tuition waiver, if the average number of case a) of paragraph 4 of article 86 of legislation 4957/2022, exceeds seventy percent (70%) and is less than one hundred percent (100%) of the national median of available equivalent income, according to the latest published EL.STAT data. The fulfilment of the criteria for tuition waver is examined by the DA, which issues a justified decision of acceptance or not acceptance of the application.

The privilege of tuition waver is granted for studying in solely one (1) program of graduate studies that is organized by a native higher education institution. This does not apply to third county citizens. The DA, after suggestion of the C.C., may grand one (1) scholarship per year in the form of tuition waver. Scholarships may be granted by companies or other organizations.

Scholarships or marks of excellence may be awarded to students, after a DA decision. Scholarships are awarded based on academic or objective criteria (such as grade point average of the previous semester, etc) or offer of services, and must be included within the budget of the program. The terms, the requirements and the rights of the candidates are formed by a DA decision.

Article 7

Student Rights and Obligations

The post graduate students admitted to the P.S.P. are obligated to:

Attend classes. Attendance is mandatory. Diversions to this rule are allowed only after serious and justified reasons. The maximum number of absences are no more than two (2) per course.
Participate in all educational and research activities.
Submit their course declaration within the set time frame every semester.
Submit homework on time.
Participate in the exams.
Submit to the secretariat, together with the dissertation, a statement declaring that the dissertation is the product of the author’s original work and does not contain any plagiarism.
Pay fees within the set time frame. .
Have their financial and any other responsibilities toward the institution settled, before graduation. If not, they will not have the privilege to graduate or have a Diploma of Post Graduate Studies issued.
If they are scholarship recipients, to offer compensatory services, if this is required (supplementary lectures, library support, research assistantship and wherever else there is a need in University services).
Parallel enrolment in undergraduate or other post graduate programs of the same or other Departmens of the same or other Higher Education Institution is NOT accepted.
Respect and keep the decision of the PSP authorities and academic code of contact. Failure in the above, without justified excuse, may lead to failure in courses, or expulsion from the program.

Failing to keep all the above without justified excuse, may lead to failure expulsion from the program.

Article 8

Study Program- Assessment of Knowledge-Student Evaluation

The total duration of the Program is three (3) academic semesters.

In the first semester there are five (5) compulsory courses: one compulsory course with two (2) ECTS and four (4) with seven (7) ECTS, each [the first semester has a total of thirty (30) ECTS].

In the second semester there are five courses: one (1) compulsory with two (2) ECTS and four elective with seven (7) ECTS each [the second semester has a total of thirty (30) ECTS].

In the third semester a Thesis is completed, with thirty (30) ECTS.

The official language of the program is Greek and the language of the Thesis may be Greek or English.

Writing of a Thesis is mandatory, and students will present the results of their research publicly, in front of an Examination Committee. The presentation is open to the public.

The C.C., with the approval of the Departments’ Assembly, may modify the Program of Studies and redistribute courses in different semesters.

The following courses are offered, with their corresponding codes for every category, consecutive number and ECTS, as they are distributed within semesters. Courses are either core (COR) or elective (ELC). The total number of credit units (ECTS) for obtaining the Diploma of Postgraduate Studies is 90. During the first semester the graduate student registers for five core courses:

1St’ Semester (Total ECTS 30)
Code	Title	Type (COR./ELC.)	Distance Learning	ECTS
NDEEP 101	Controlled Environment Systems (COR)	COR	15%	7
NDEEP 102	Water Resources Management (COR )	COR	15%	7
NDEEP 103	Plant-Soil Relationships(υπ)	COR	15%	7
NDEEP 104	Research Methodology I (COR)	COR	15%	2
NDEEP 105	Precision Agriculture and Energy Saving (COR )	COR	15%	7
(5 COR. Cources: 30 ECTS.) Total ECTS				30

Before the beginning of the second semester the graduate student choses a supervisor and together they declare the subject of the Thesis and the specialized courses from the groups of courses that appropriate to the Thesis subject. Any supervisor shall not have more than two new students per year of first registration under supervision. In the second semester, each graduate student with the consent of the supervisor registers for the one core course and selects at least two courses from the group of courses that are most relevant to the Thesis, one course from another group and one more course (total of 4 electives).

Second semester (Total ECTS 30) (One Core course. Students choose four from the elective courses)
Code	Title	Type (COR./ELC.)	Distance Learning	ECTS
NDEEP 106	Research Methodology II (COR)	COR	15%	2
	Elective from group X (ΕLC)	ELC	15%	7
	Elective from group X (ΕLC)	ELC	15%	7
	Elective from group Y (ΕLC)	ELC	15%	7
	Elective from group A, B or C(ΕLC)	ELC	15%	7
(1 Core course:2 ECTS, 4 Electivecources30 ECTS) Total ECTS				30

Course Group Α

Code	Title	Type (Core/ELC)	Distance Learning	ECTS
NDEEP 107	Water Quality and Environmental Protection(επ.)	ELC	15%	7
NDEEP 108	Surface and Groundwater Hydrology (ELC)	ELC	15%	7
NDEEP 109	Irrigation and Drainage(επ.)	ELC	15%	7
NDEEP 110	Hydroinformatics (ELC)	ELC	15%	7
NDEEP 124	Special Subject in Soil, Water and Energy Resources in Agriculture	ELC	15%	7

Course Group Β

Code	Title	Type (Core/ELC)	Distance Learning	ECTS
NDEEP 111	Environmental Soil Chemistry (ELC)	ELC	15%	7
NDEEP 112	Agricultural Soil Physics (ELC)	ELC	15%	7
NDEEP 113	Soil Management – Microbiome Interaction (ELC)	Ε	15%	7
NDEEP 114	Integrated Soil Nutrient Management (ELC)	ELC	15%	7
NDEEP 115	Biosystems Management and Earth Observation Systems (ELC)	ELC	15%	7
NDEEP 116	Geoinformatics (ELC)	ELC	15%	7
NDEEP 124	Special Subject in Soil, Water and Energy Resources in Agriculture	ELC	15%	7

Course Group C

Code	Title	Type (Core/ELC)	Distance Learning	ECTS
NDEEP 117	Valorization of Agricultural Waste and By-products with the Use of Biotechnology (ELC)	ELC	15%	7
NDEEP 118	Design of Renewable Energy Systems in Agriculture (ELC)	ELC	15%	7
NDEEP 119	Big Data processing – Ιnternet of Τhings (IoT) (ELC)	ELC	15%	7
NDEEP 120	Simulation and Modeling of Biosystems (ELC)	ELC	15%	7
NDEEP 121	Artificial Intelligence – Robotics (ELC)	ELC	15%	7
NDEEP 124	Special Subject in Soil, Water and Energy Resources in Agriculture	ELC	15%	7

Third Semester

Code	Title	Type (Core/ELC)	Distance Learning	ECTS
NDEEP 123	Thesis (COR)	COR	0	30

Assessment of Knowledge-Student Evaluation

The course classes, content and evaluation are set at the beginning of each semester by the group of instructors that have been appointed for each course, with the responsibility of the course coordinator, who is a faculty member. Class and laboratory attendance is mandatory. Diversions to this rule are allowed only for serious, justified reasons, and in such a case, no more than two (2) absences per course. Students are evaluated only by the program’s appointed instructors. Evaluation is performed with written or oral examinations, homework, lab reports or combinations of the above. It is possible under special circumstances or force majeure events, to conduct a course examination with distance education means, as long as the of the fairness of the procedure is secured.

The grading scale for the evaluation of the performance of postgraduate students for the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki is set from zero (0) to ten (10), as follows:

– Excellent (8.5 to 10)

– Very Good (6.5 to 8.5 not included)

– Good (6 to 6.5 not included).

The passing grade is six (6) and upwards. Half-points are allowed

The final grade of the Program is calculated based on the weighted average of each Program course and the dissertation. The weighting is made based on the credit units (ECTS) of each course and the dissertation and is calculated, with an accuracy of second decimal place as follows:

Final Grade = (course 1 grade x course ECTS + course 2 grade x course 2 ECTS+ …. + dissertation grade x dissertation ECTS)/Total number of ECTS.

The courses, elective or core, are taught if selected by at least two (2) students. Faculty members are not allowed to be assigned more than two courses per semester by themselves.

A postgraduate student is considered that he/she has attended a course (and therefore may participate in the exams) if he/she has attended at least eighty five percent (85%) of the theory lectures of the course and eighty five percent (85%) of the laboratory exercises, in any course that has a lab section. Otherwise the student has to attend the whole course from the beginning at the next academic year.

If absences are over eighty five percent (85%), then deletion from the registrar is set as an issue. This issue is settled by the C.C. that suggests it’s decision to the Departmental Assembly.

Under emergency cases, or due to force majeure, it is possible that exams will be held through electronic means, as long as fairness is guaranteed. In case of health problems, the instructor may facilitate the student with any means the instructor considers appropriate (oral examination, distance examination).

If a postgraduate student fails in the examination of up to two courses, s/he may be re-examined in those courses. The time of re-examination is set for the end of the second semester, after an application filed by the student. The student will be examined by a three member committee appointed by the Steering Committee. If s/he fails again, s/he is considered not to have successfully completed the program and may be re-examined again from a three member committee, formed by Department’s members with the same or related discipline to the course that s/he failed and appointed by the Department’s Assembly, after his/her application. From this committee, whoever was assigned the course, is exempted. If s/he fails again, s/he is dismissed from the Program. Any student who fails shall receive a certificate that includes the courses in which s/he has succeeded.

Replacement of the supervisor may be held under special circumstances and only with the approval of the C.C., with a 2/3 majority of its members.

Preparation of the Master’s Diploma Thesis

For the preparation of the Master’s Diploma Thesis (M.D.Th.), the Programme Committee, following the student’s application — submitted on specified dates (first ten days of March) and including the proposed thesis title, proposed supervisor, and a summary of the proposed topic — appoints the supervisor. After successful completion and examination in all courses in the list of the declaration of courses of the candidate, and the completion of the Post Graduate Diploma Dissertation, the supervisor suggests a Three-Member Examination Committee for the approval of the thesis, one member of which is the supervisor. The publicly defense of a Masters Theses is held within three months from the approval of the Examination Committee.

The right to supervise master’s theses is granted to teaching staff categories as defined in Article 83 of Law 4957/2022, namely:

Members of the Teaching and Research Staff (D.E.P.), Special Educational Personnel (E.E.P.), Laboratory Teaching Staff (E.DI.P.), and Special Technical Laboratory Staff (E.T.E.P.) of the Department or of other Departments of the same or another Higher Education Institution (H.E.I.) or Higher Military Educational Institution (A.S.E.I.), with additional employment beyond their statutory duties, provided the I.P.P.S. charges tuition fees;
Emeritus Professors or retired faculty members of the same or other H.E.I.;
Collaborating Professors;
Contract Lecturers;
Visiting Professors or Visiting Researchers;
Researchers and Special Scientific Personnel of research and technological institutions as defined in Article 13A of Law 4310/2014 (Government Gazette A’ 258), or other research centres and institutes in Greece or abroad.

The members of the Three-Member Examination Committee must have the same or a related scientific specialization as that of the field of study of the Graduate Studies Program.

The preparation of the M.D.Th. is governed by the Code of Academic Ethics of A.U.Th. Every creator or co-creator of an intellectual work has the right to be acknowledged as such and to enjoy both the moral and economic rights deriving from the work. By exception, when the intellectual creation constitutes the final output of a funded research project commissioned by an external entity, the creator’s economic rights may be limited in accordance with the contract terms of the research project, while the moral rights remain with the creator(s), subject only to the necessary contractual limitations required for the use or commercial exploitation of the work.

The presentation of the M.D.Th. requires a positive recommendation by the Three-Member Examination Committee. If the defense is held publicly, a specific date and venue are determined by the Committee.

Following the defense, a report is drawn up, stating the individual grade assigned by each member, the average grade, and any remarks or comments. After approval by the Committee, the thesis is uploaded on the Programme’s website. If the thesis is not approved, the postgraduate student may resubmit it after incorporating the Committee’s remarks and improvements within a time frame determined by the Committee. If the revised version is again rejected, the student loses the right to obtain the Master’s Diploma.

In exceptional cases, if an objective impediment or serious reason exists, the replacement of the supervisor or a member of the Committee, as well as a change of the thesis topic, may be approved by decision of the Programme Committee, and approval my the assembly of the Department.

The APA 6^th edition protocol is applied in the text of the Dissertation. For more information see https://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/560/01/.

Article 9

Scholarships

After a recommendation from the Coordinating Committee of the PG.S.P. and decision of the School Assembly it is possible to grant one (1) scholarship per year in the form of tuition waiver. Scholarships may also be granted from businesses or other institutions or organization. Scholarships or marks of excellence may be granted to post graduate students according to decisions by the School Assembly.

Scholarships are awarded based on academic or objective criteria (such as grade point average of the previous semester, etc) or offer of services, and must be included within the budget of the program. The terms, the requirements and the rights of the candidates are formed by a DA decision.

The A.U.Th. may grant remunerative scholarships to postgraduate students with the obligation to support the educational process and provide auxiliary teaching work. The maximum amount of remunerative scholarship awarded per student, the maximum number of hours of their weekly employment and other details regarding the awarding of scholarships are determined by a decision of the School’s Assembly.

Article 10

Educational staff

The assignment of the teaching work is carried out by a decision of the Assembly of the School following the recommendation of the Coordinating Committee of the P.S.P. s. According to Law 4957/2022 and the current legislation, the teaching of the courses at PG.S.P. can be undertaken by:

a) Members of Teaching Research Staff, Special Educational Staff, Laboratory Teaching Staff and Special Technical Laboratory Staff of the School or other Schools of the same or another Higher Educational Institution, with additional employment beyond their legal obligations, if the Program has tuition fees,
b) Emeritus professors or retired members of Teaching Research Staff of the School or other Schools of A.U.Th. or other Higher Educational Institution,
c) Appointed teachers,
d) Visiting professors or visiting researchers,
e) Scientists of recognized prestige, who have specialized knowledge and relevant experience in the scientific subject of the Program.
f) Researchers and special functional scientists of research and technological bodies of article 13A of Law 4310/2014 (A’ 258) or of other national or foreign research centers and institutes.

The decisions of the School Assembly for the distribution of the teaching work, includes the following:

The name and surname of the teacher
His status
The kind of teaching work assigned per teacher (lecture, seminar, etc)
The hours assigned per course or seminar

Invited teachers have the obligation to keep the weekly program of classes, as approved by the C.C., and follow the terms of examination and evaluation, as described in this regulation.

Within the obligations of the Educational Staff are the descriptions of courses or lectures, to site the relevant literature, the mode of exams, the communication with the post graduate students. Teaching at PG.S.P. is done in accordance with the course timetable drawn up under the responsibility of the Director of the P.S.P.

With the start of attendance at the PG.S.P. is designated for each postgraduate student as a Supervising Professor of Master’s Thesis a permanent member of the Teaching Research Staff of the PG.S.P. who also has the role of Academic Advisor. His role is to monitor the progress of the students’ studies, to be informed by the lecturers of any continuous absences of the students under his responsibility, as well as to inform the persons under his supervision (through the Secretariat of the P.S.P.) that their absences may result in failure in the course. In addition, the Academic Advisor provides assistance regarding the topic and the course of completion of the master’s thesis. Postgraduate students must contact their Academic Advisor for any problem that may affect the smooth progress of their studies. The Academic Advisor provides the graduate student with the necessary advisory support to cope with the demands of the Graduate Program. His duties include, among others:

– Identifying the graduate student’s needs and research interests, supporting his/her inclinations and skills and encouraging him/her to move towards areas that suit him/her.

– The information and the facilitation of the postgraduate student’s contacts with the collective bodies of the PG.S.P. and administration services.

– The provision of assistance for the preparation of his/her individual six-month study program and the determination of the subject of the postgraduate thesis.

– Identifying students who owe a lot of courses and caring for and making a plan for those students.

The teaching staff, the administrative staff, as well as the competent services of the A.U.Th. cooperate and support the Academic Advisers in their work, while taking into account their information, observations, suggestions and requests, for any deficiencies, malfunctions that create problems for the students/ three and any suggestions for dealing with them.

After a suggestion from the C.C. or it’s Director, it is possible to assign assisting teaching work to PhD candidates of the Department or the School, under the supervision of a member of the Educational staff of the P.S.P. As assisting teaching work is defined the assistance to Faculty members during their teaching work, the practical training of the students, supportive lectures, laboratory exercises, proctoring and correcting homework. With a decision of the School Assembly or the C.C. it is possible to assign assisting work, or to publish an invitation of interest for subjects that are offered in the program of studies of the P.S.P. In the Invitation of Interest the deadlines for candidacy and the requirements are defined.

The Educational staff, when they are under sabbatical or suspension of duties, may still offer teaching work to the P.S.P., if they consider that their program allows so, under the provision that under the circumstances this is practically and virtually possible, an issue that should be judged by the responsible authorities.

Article 11

Program Revenue-Financial Management Process

The resources of the Postgraduate Studies Program may come from:

Tuition fees,
U.Th.’s own resources
Donations, bequests, sponsorships, and all kinds of financial support,
Resources from research projects or Programs, especially of the European Union,
Special Account for Research Funds (ΕLKE),
Any other lawful source.

According to the current legislation, the management of the revenues of the P.S.P. is made by ELKE and is allocated to the operational costs of the program

The tuition fees are defined to the sum of one thousand and five hundred euros (1.500,00 €) for every cycle of studies and is done by the students themselves (or by a third party, natural or legal entity on behalf of the student) by depositing/transfering the money in an account of ELKE in three (3) equal instalments at the beginning of each semester of classes or dissertation of every academic year and within ten (10) day from the beginning of the semester. It is possible for more instalments to be arranged, after a petition by the student and approval by the C.C.

The resources of the P.S.P. are distributed as follows:

Thirty percent (30%) of the total budget from the tuition fees is withheld by ELKE. This sum includes ELKE’s expenses for management of the P.S.P. With a decision of the Research Counsil that is taken at the end of March of every year, it is decided if the rest of the sum is transferred to the regular budget or is transferred for to support of creating works/programs through ELKE with the aim of covering by priority the needs of the PSP that operate without tuition fees and educational or operational needs of AUTH.
The rest of the budget is given for covering operational costs of the PSP.

The P.S.P. issues according to current legislation an analytical budget for five (5) years of operation, which includes resources of all kinds and operational costs.

Article 12

Administrative Support – Logistics Infrastructure

Administrative and technical support is provided to P.S.P. from the School of Agriculture.

As secretary of the P.S.P the current secretary of the Faculty of Agriculture is appointed, and assumes the administrative duties that are related to Educational staff, students, the program, contact and communication with different offices and other Departments and Institution and also the public relations of the P.S.P.

The P.S.P has it own record of incoming and outgoing documents, that is kept based on the academic year. The general supervision and coordination of post graduate studies at the level of AUTH is from the Vice Rector of Academic Affairs.

Venues for the teaching of the P.S.P. are designated rooms of the School of Agriculture: Classroom of the Laboratory of Applied Soil Science, Classroom of the Laboratory of Mechanical Engineering, Classroom of the Laboratory of Hydraulics, Classroom of the Center for Control Agricultural Constructions, amphitheaters A, B, C, D, Room of Laboratory Exercises. Available are also the following participating laboratories with their equipment:

Soil Science (ΦΕΚ 362/Α΄/17.9.1937 271/Α΄/27.7.1938 & 86/Α΄/6.4.1981),
Applied Soil Science (ΦΕΚ 198/Α΄/19.11.1962 & 128/Α΄/9.7.1965 & 86/Α΄/6.4.1981),
General and Agricultural Hydraulics and Improvements (ΦΕΚ 112/Α΄/30.6.1928 & 362/Α΄/17.9.1937 & 271/Α΄/27.7.1938),
Εργαστήριο Γεωργικής Μηχανολογίας (ΦΕΚ 112/Α΄/30.6.1928 & 86/Α΄/6.4.1981),
Agricultural Constructions and Equipment (ΦΕΚ 153/21-11-1990 Α΄, Presidential Decree 388),
Remote Sensing, Spectrophotometry and Geographical Information Systems (ΦΕΚ 153/Α΄/21.11.1990 & 207/Β΄/29.9.1996 & 2986/Β΄/30.8.2017),
Alternative Energy Resources in Agriculture (ΦΕΚ 234/Α΄/31.10.2000)

To fulfill the aims of the P.S.P. also assist:

▪ AUTH libraries

▪ The libraries and the laboratory of PC that operate in the Faculty of Agriculture

▪ Computer rooms and classrooms of Faculty of Agriculture

Article 13

Graduation Ceremony

The graduation ceremony is not constitutive of the successful completion of studies. It is however, needed for granting a written diploma. The ceremony is held as a School Assembly, in the presence of the Chair of the Department or the Rector of the School or of their associates and, if possible, ideally a representative of the Dean.

Post graduate students that have successfully completed the P.S.P, under special circumstances (studies, residence or work abroad, health reasons etc) may petition the secretariat for an exemption from the graduation ceremony.

Article 14

Type of Master’s Degree Awarded (MSc)

The title of Graduate Diploma (MSc) is a public document, awarded by the P.S.P. of the School of Agriculture and is issued by the Secretariat of the School. The Graduate Diploma (MSc) shall state the School that participates in the organization of the PG.S.P., and any emblems of the institutions, the date of completion of the studies, the date of issue of the Graduate Diploma (MSc), the number of the graduation protocol, the title of the P.S.P., details of the postgraduate student and the evaluation designation Good, Very Good, Excellent.

Before the awarding of the Degree and after the successful completion of the Program, the graduate may be granted a certificate of successful attendance and completion of the Program.

In addition to the Degree, a Supplement is granted [article 15 of Law 3374/2005 and of the Y.A. Φ5/89656/ΒΕ/13-8-2007 (Government Gazette 1466 t.B΄)], which is an explanatory document that provides information about the nature, level, general framework of education, content and status of studies, which have been successfully completed and is not a substitute for the official degree or course grade provided by the Institutions.

Article 15

Plagiarism

When submitting any Master’s Thesis, the Master’s student is required to indicate whether he/she has used the work and opinions of others.

Plagiarism is considered a serious academic misconduct as is the use of artificial intelligence applications to compose texts. Plagiarism is considered the copying of someone else’s work, as well as the use of another’s work – published or unpublished – without due attribution or written consent. The quoting of any documentary material, even from the candidate’s own studies, without a relevant reference, may constitute a decision of the School’s Assembly to delete him/her. In the above cases – and after a reasoned recommendation by your supervising Professor – the School Assembly can decide to delete him/her.

Any offense or breach of academic ethics (unethical behavior towards lecturers and fellow students) is referred to the Coordination Committee of the PG.S.P. for judgment and recommendation to address the problem at the School Assembly. According to the provisions in force, the offenses of copying or plagiarism and, more generally, any violation of the provisions on intellectual property by a postgraduate student when writing assignments in the context of the courses or preparing a postgraduate diploma thesis are also considered as infringements.

Infringements of the rules of ethics and quality of studies are dealt with by the Committee of Ethics of the Institution.

Article 16

Evaluation of Studies

After the issuance of the decision establishing the Program and before its commencement, the certification of the Program is required by the National Authority of Higher Education (ETH.A.A.E.), in accordance with the case. c) of par. 1 of article 8 of Law 4653/2020 (A’ 12). After its establishment, the Program is certified periodically, according to the sub-case. bb) of case b) of paragraph 1 of article 8 of Law 4653/2020, in the context of the evaluation of the academic unit to which they belong.

In the event that the founding decision is amended, re-certification of the Program is required by ETH.A.A.E., in case the amendment concerns elements such as the subject, the purpose of the Program, the learning outcomes and the qualifications obtained from its successful attendance, as well as the specializations that award a different diploma.

The evaluation of each School’s Postgraduate Studies Programs, encompassing inter-departmental, inter-institutional, and shared Postgraduate Studies Programs, for which administrative support is assumed by the respective School, occurs within the framework of the periodic assessment/certification of the academic unit by ETH.A.A.E. This comprehensive evaluation involves appraising the overall performance of each Program, assessing the degree to which it fulfills the initially set objectives, gauging its sustainability, analyzing the employment outcomes of graduates, measuring its contribution to research, considering internal evaluations by postgraduate students, examining the feasibility of its continued operation, and reviewing other pertinent data related to the quality of work produced and its alignment with the national Higher Education strategy.

Should a program be deemed unsatisfactory during the evaluation phase, indicating that it fails to meet the criteria for ongoing operation, its activities conclude upon the graduation of previously enrolled students in accordance with the establishment decision and the regulations governing postgraduate and doctoral study programs.

MO.DI.P Internal Evaluation

To guarantee and enhance the Program’s quality, the Quality Assurance Unit of A.U.Th. (MO.DI.P.) conducts regular internal evaluations as part of the Institution’s Internal Quality Assurance System. These assessments adhere to the guidelines provided by ETH.A.A.E.

The responsibilities of the Administrative Bodies and program instructors also include compliance with all procedures outlined in accordance with MO.DI.P.-A.U.Th.’s directives for both internal and external evaluations, as well as the certification of Study Programs and Academic Units.

Evaluation of teachers and courses by students

With the exclusive aim of enhancing the quality of the Program’s academic offerings, students are encouraged to assess courses and instructors each semester, ensuring their responses remain completely anonymous.

For consistency in observing statistical data and extracting valuable insights for the educational efforts of Schools and the Foundation as a whole, evaluation questionnaires are formulated by MO.DI.P. They may be partially tailored to the specific characteristics and requirements of each academic unit or course. The completion of these evaluations is done electronically.

The evaluation process is overseen by the Internal Evaluation Team (OM.E.A.) within each regulation translated of A.U.Th., in collaboration with the MO.DI.P. of A.U.Th. This assessment is conducted through the university’s Informational Quality Management System (QMS). The Regulation translated ‘s Administration and OM.E.A. must systematically ensure student participation in the evaluation following MO.DI.P. guidelines and relevant decisions of the Senate.

OM.E.A. of each School monitors the level of student engagement in the evaluation process through MO.DI.P.’s Quality Management Information System (QMS). They analyze the results and inform the University’s Administrative Bodies and the corresponding academic unit. The evaluation questionnaires are specific to each taught course and individual teacher.

Administrative bodies of the Program and the academic unit, in collaboration with the respective OM.E.A., are required to review the evaluation results, announce their findings, decide on the publication of summary results (when deemed necessary and always after the announcement of semester course grades), and take necessary actions, all in accordance with prevailing legislation for the protection of personal data.

Άρθρο 17

Οδηγός Σπουδών

The P.S.P. issues a Postgraduate Studies Student Handbook with the aim of guiding post graduate students in its functions. The Handbook may contain:

The purpose, the aim of the P.S.P and the acquired skills after graduation
Academic calendar, that includes the dates of beginning and ending of academic semesters, the examination periods, academic holidays, the periods of presentation of dissertations and other obligations, such as seminars, conferences, etc.
The class schedule, ECTS, stuff, rights and obligations of students
The official language of classes and of the dissertation
Administrative structure of the P.S.P.
Databases
Library use
Services available to post graduate students.

Article 16

Transitional arrangements

Any issue that arises in the future that is not covered by the relevant legislation or the relevant Postgraduate Studies Regulations, will be dealt with by decisions of the School Assembly and the Institution’s Senate by amending the Regulations and publishing in the Government Gazette after a decision by the Senate of A.U.Th. in accordance with the provisions of Law 4957/21-07-2022